The Tower. LXX October 5, World Communion Sunday

Transcription

1 The Tower First Congregational United Church of Christ Madison, Wisconsin LXX October 5, 2014 No. 31 World Communion Sunday World Communion Sunday is a celebration observed by several Christian denominations, taking place on the first Sunday of every October, that promotes Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation. The tradition originated in the Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1933, and was adopted throughout the US Presbyterian Church in 1936, and subsequently spread to other denominations. In 1940, the Federal Council of Churches (now the National Council of Churches), led by Jesse Moren Bader, endorsed World Communion Sunday and began to promote it to Christian churches worldwide. This Sunday, October 5, we will celebrate World Communion at First Congregational by recognizing the many ways we extend our ministry outside the walls of the church. There will be twelve stations around the Sanctuary where we will celebrate communion. Each of the tables will be focused on an area of outreach by the church. The Boards of Outreach and Deacons have been planning and organizing this Sunday for several months and I am grateful for their work. During the time of communion, each of us will have the opportunity to go to one of the tables in the Sanctuary for communion. Please help me encourage everyone, if physically able, to go to one of the tables even if they do not want to take communion. During this time around the table, we will have the opportunity to be in community with the people we stand beside, but we also will have the chance to be in community with the people who are part of the outreach project represented at the table. Imagine yourself being with the very people who benefit from the outreach provided by this church family. Imagine yourself as a part of God s family outside the walls of the church. Imagine the smile on someone s face who receives assistance in some way. Imagine a community where we stand in solidarity with God s values at the forefront of mission! Imagine! The tables will represent the following organizations/projects: *Madison-area Urban Ministry (MUM)/Just Bakery *Boys and Girls Club of Dane County *Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) *FoodShare *Luke House *Samaritan Counseling *Mary House *The Road Home *Our Church s Wider Mission (OCWM) *Outreach, Inc. *GSafe *Prison Ministry Project This is not the entire list of outreach First Congregational does, but these are the areas Outreach has chosen to focus on for this particular event. It is my hope that all of us will spend some time before or after worship to learn more about each of these outreach opportunities. We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own. ~ Cesar Chavez

2 Join Us For Morning Service Sunday, October 5, 2014 Sunday Worship 10am in the Sanctuary Scripture Readings: Genesis 2:18-24, Mark 10:2-16 This Sunday, the texts are found in the Older and Newer Testaments: Genesis and Mark. In Genesis, we hear part of the story of creation. The reading begins, Then God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner. The scripture from Mark speaks about divorce and the role of children. It may seem these two texts are not compatible. Or at the very least, we might find ourselves arguing with the authors of these two texts. Do we really NEED partners? Wouldn t things just be easier if we could do them alone, the way we want to do them? And why are the words so harsh about divorce? Aren t there truly times when divorce is the best option? Thankfully the Mark passage ends with loving and taking care of children. That s something we can all agree on or is it? The Bible challenges us to think about our lives, our community and our relationships in ways we might never consider. Should we just dismiss these challenges because they are old and outdated, or is there something we can learn? ~ Eldonna Hazen Clare Gromoll Ordination Join us in celebrating the ordination of Clare on Oct. 18 at 2:00pm in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow the ordination service. Claire started her discernment process here at First Congregational. She has been called to be the Associate Pastor at Saint Paul UCC in Minnesota. con vivo!...music with life opens their 13th season of chamber music at 7:30pm Saturday, Nov. 1 with 63 Strings and 2008 Pipes. This concert of music by Handel, Spohr and others features Don on the magnificent pipe organ and guest musician, Karen Beth Atz on the harp. Tickets at the door: $18.00/$15.00 seniors and students. Gifting Stock to the Church If you have, or plan to gift, shares of stock to the church, please contact the treasurer, Phil Certain, or treasurer@firstcongmadison.org. Our agent who handles transfers is not allowed to tell us who the donor is; you must do that. Thanks! First Cong children and Families Parents' Group Beginning October 12 A place to take a breath. A place to share resources. A place to understand & find understanding. A place to ponder the spiritual work of parenting. A place to speak & hear the truth. Come as you are, when you can. 2nd & 4th Sundays, 8:30-9:45am in the Student Lounge. Childcare available in the nursery. Contact: Jessica Taft (513) or jessicataft@uwalumni.com Ways to serve Opportunity for Fellowship and Service with Board of Community Life! Many families in our community struggle with having enough food to feed their families. Second Harvest Foodbank stocks many of our local pantries who fill this need. Join us Saturday, October 11, from 9am-12noon at Second Harvest, (2802 Dairy Drive, Madison) to help sort food items to be delivered to these pantries. Youth are encouraged to join us. Sign up on Sundays in the back of the Sanctuary or abeaty@firstcongmadison.org Remember The Shelter Mismatched sheets and pillowcases? Faded towels? Please check your linen closet for items to donate to the Salvation Army Single Women s Shelter. Also needed: blankets, sweatshirts and sweatpants (all sizes, especially XL), tote bags, suitcases, and unopened hotel-size toiletries. Please drop them off in the church office, clearly marked Shelter. Thank you. Community Meals Day is Thursday, October 2. Please have your donated items in the pink kitchen by 10:00am that day. Thank you! First-Sunday Food Donation The first Sunday of the month, October 5, we collect nonperishable food items for distribution to local food banks. Please place canned or boxed items in the basket by the table in the Narthex. Thank you! Madison CROP Hunger Walk Sunday, October 19. Church members can help. 1) Help out on Walk Day: monitor parking lots & kitchen prep. 3) WALK/DONATE. Pick up a pledge form or sign up online at First Cong already has an online team! For more information contact Jeff Rabe at jrabe@firstcongmadison.org

3 ANNOUNCEMENTS Worship Service for Quiet Reflection September 24 through November 12, this service is offered in the Fellowship Room. 6-6:20 is a time of silence and background music for private prayer and reflection. 6:20-6:40 is a time of liturgy for Healing Prayers and Holy Communion. 6:40-7 is a return to silence and music. Come for any of the 20 minute segments or for the whole hour. Barristas needed Everyone loves coffee before and after church, but it doesn t brew by itself. Coffee brewers are needed to help ensure that we welcome First Cong friends and members with a nice warm cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa on Sunday mornings. Contact community_life@firstcongmadison.org or call Melissa Baumann if you are able to commit to making coffee once a month or serve as an occasional substitute. Training on using the coffee equipment will be provided. Women s Book Study Women! Mark your calendars now to a end a morning of coffee (or juice), treats, and great conversa on a er reading Mary Coin, by Marisa Silver. Mary Coin pulls you into the story behind and beyond photographer Dorothea Lange and the subject of her iconic, Depression era photo Migrant Mother. As expertly cropped and framed as a fine photographic print, this compassionate historical novel is about steely for tude, ferocious maternal devo on and guilt, and what it means to really focus and see deeply. The class will meet on Saturday mornings October 11, 25 and November 8 & 22, from 8:00 9:30am in the Student Lounge and will be facilitated by Eldonna Hazen. Books will be in the office for $14. Let Kris n Kanitz kkanitz@firstcongmadison.org know if you plan to a end. Men s Fellowship A great opportunity for men to gather in a small group setting, sharing coffee and conversation. We discuss current events from a Christian men's perspective. All men are invited to stop by and see what it is about. Fall dates: Oct 12, Nov 9 & 23, Dec 14. 8:45-9:45am in the Fellowship Room. Tom Syring, syring48@gmail.com, or Blessing of the Animals Our pets are a beloved part of our family and we want to honor that relationship by offering our Blessing of the Animals. Bring your pets to church on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10:00am. We will meet in the Lathrop St. parking lot. All pets are welcome here! Embracing a Spiritual Awakening Spiritual or religious, every Sunday worshipper or not, join Eldonna Hazen and Diana Shaw for Embracing a Spiritual Awakening. The class continues, October 19 th, 26 th, and November 2 nd at 8:45am in the Fellowship Room. "Around the Table" - Meeting, Greeting, Eating! Sign up for a ONE TIME gathering for food and conversation with other First Cong folks this fall. You can sign up for one of the gatherings at the table in the back of the Sanctuary, or go to Sign Up Genius to participate. Need more information? abeaty@firstcongmadison.org Just Bakery Sunday October 5 On the first Sunday of the month we celebrate communion and share the bread of life. Stop by the Just Bakery table at the back of the Sanctuary to see their selection of artisan breads and baked goods. Congregational Meeting Makes Final Reach & Renew Allocations At a well-attended Congregational meeting following worship on Sunday, September 28, 2014, the members of the Congregation participating unanimously approved the allocation of Reach & Renew funds proposed by the Executive Council. Those allocations are: Breese Terrace Steps $150,000 Office Renovation $220,000 Chapel/Lounge/Pink Kitchen $140,000 Support FT Associate Minister $100,000 Total $610,000 Tom Rickner first presented a summary of proposed projects, the results of a member survey and the analysis of the Executive Council in choosing the recommended projects. He reminded members of the process following and information provided through Congregational meetings and presentations, which were also made available on the Church website. The Congregation also authorized the Executive Council to proceed with a request to the First Congregational Church Foundation for a loan to the Church to be used for work on the 303 Lathrop Street house to make it ready for use as Healing House, to be operated by Madison-area Urban Ministry. MUM has led a team of community leaders, including Rev. Eldonna Hazen, in developing plans for Healing House, a post-hospitalization medical home for people and their families, who are homeless following surgery. Additional presentations will be made in October to the Congregation about this exciting mission project.

4 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1609 University Avenue Madison, Wisconsin (phone) (fax) facebook.com/firstcongo Staff: Eldonna Hazen, Senior Minister Ann Beaty, Associate Minister Jerry Hancock, Director of Prison Ministry Project Donald J. DeBruin, Director of Music Ministries Jeff Rabe, Director of Christian Education for Children & Youth Jennifer Flaten, Bookkeeper Jill Farnsworth, Office Manager Kristin Kanitz, Executive Assistant Bob Zeier, Building Manager IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES: Eldonna Hazen, , Ann Beaty, , Jerry Hancock, Office Hours: M-Th 8-12:30pm, 1-4pm, Fri 8-12 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Worship attendance on Sunday, September 28, 2014, was 166. Church Calendar October 2-12, 2014 Thursday October 2 Community Meals Day 7:00pm Madison Area Jugglers ~ DR Friday October 3 Saturday October 4 Sunday October 5 9:00am Communion prep class ~ K, SR 10:00am Sunday Worship ~ S Neighbors in Need Offering 10:15am Wee Worship ~ Chapel 11:15am PiPS Potluck ~ DR Monday October 6 7:00pm All Boards ~ C Tuesday October 7 Wednesday October 8 9:00am Staff mtg.,worship Planning ~ SL 6:00pm Service for Quiet Reflection ~ FR 6:30pm Coventry Ringers ~ Room 301 Thursday October 9 7:00pm Madison Area Jugglers ~ DR Friday October 10 7:00pm UW Table Tennis Club ~ DR Saturday October 11 8:00am Women s Book Study TTBA UW Football parking 9:00am Service trip to Second Harvest Sunday October 12 8:30am Parent s Group ~ SL 8:45am Men s Fellowship ~ FR 10:00am Sunday Worship ~ S 10:15am Sunday School 11:15am Youth Meeting ~ YR 11:15am Advertising Committee ~ LRC BK ~ Big Kitchen C ~ Chapel DR ~ Dining Room FIGS ~ Families Including God and Stuff FR ~ Fellowship Room LRC ~ Learning Resource Center MS ~ Minister s Study PiPS ~ Parents of Infants and Pre-Schoolers S ~ Sanctuary SL ~ Student Lounge SR ~ Salad Room YR ~ Youth Room YBS ~ Youth Bible Study

5 Wednesday October 1 9:00am Staff mtg.,worship Planning ~ SL Thursday October 2 Community Meals Day Friday October 3 9:00am Prison Ministry ~ SL Saturday October 4 Sunday October 5 9:00am Communion prep class ~ K, SR Neighbors in Need Offering 10:15am Wee Worship ~ Chapel 11:15am PiPS Potluck ~ DR Monday October 6 7:00pm All Boards ~ C Tuesday October 7 Wednesday October 8 9:00am Staff mtg.,worship Planning ~ SL Thursday October 9 Friday October 10 Saturday October 11 8:00am Women s Book Study UW Football parking 9:00am Service trip to Second Harvest Sunday October 12 8:30am Parent s Group ~ SL 8:45am Men s Fellowship ~ FR 10:15am Sunday School 11:15am Youth Meeting ~ YR 11:15am Advertising Committee ~ LRC Monday October 13 Tuesday October 14 12noon Bible Conversations ~SL 5:00pm Exec. Council Agenda Mtg. ~ LRC October 2014 Wednesday October 15 9:00am Staff mtg., Worship Planning ~ SL Thursday October 16 Friday October 17 Saturday October 18 10:00am Animal Blessing ~ parking lot 2:00pm Clare Gromoll Ordination Sunday October 19 8:45am Adult Ed class ~ FR 10:15am Sunday School 1:30pm CROP Walk Monday October 20 6:00pm Executive Council Meeting ~ FR Tuesday October 21 10:00am Oakwood Residents touring church 5:15pm Women s NA ~ Room 303 Wednesday October 22 9:00am Staff mtg., Worship Planning ~ SL Thursday October 23 7:00pm Marijuana Anonymous ~ LRC Friday October 24 Saturday October 25 8:00am UW Football parking 8:00am Women s Book Study Sunday October 26 8:30am Parent s Group ~ SL 8:45am Adult Ed class ~ FR 9:00am Sunday Singers ~ S 10:15am Sunday School Costume party ~ DR 11:30am Ushers Potluck ~ DR Monday October 27 Tuesday October 28

6 Wednesday October 29 9:00am Staff mtg., Worship Planning ~ SL 7:30pm Chancel Choir ~ C Thursday October 30 7:00pm Marijuana Anonymous ~ LRC Friday October 31 Greeters First Sunday Team: Dana Chabot (even-numbered months, Emily Savage Second Sunday Team: Jane Deyo, Fannie Hicklin, Jane Ferguson Third Sunday Team: Richard Ramanantsoa, Steve Lerdahl, Judy Whipple Fourth Sunday Team: Mary Ellen Gerloff, Karen Gussert, Bob Metz, Betta Owens, Ann Maffet Substitutes & Fifth Sunday: Beth Cannestra, Robin Craig, Annette Ellstrom, David Ewing, Mark Rzchowski, Jackye Thomas, Mark Thomas, Jody Varney, John Ehlke, Nancy Payne, Kweku Brewoo Ushers First Sunday Team: Jane Deyo, Janet Pugh, Katharine Gansner Second Sunday Team: Bob Burns, Jeanne Marshall, Vicki Teal Third Sunday Team: Dorothy Brown, Ellsworth Brown, Ed Hasselkus, Bob Gentile, Samantha Rickner, Carol Toussaint Fourth Sunday Team: Katrina Dwinell, Katharine Gansner, Lance & Cheryl Bentley, Fred Wileman Fifth Sunday Team: Katrina Dwinell, George Elder, Elizabeth Ringle Subs: Robin Craig, John Ehlke, David Ewing, Mark Rzchowski, Greg Ullstrom, Elizabeth Armstrong Sound System First Sunday: Rob Hetzel Second Sunday: Mark Rzchowski Third Sunday : Gary Pine Fourth Sunday: Bob Burns Fifth Sunday: Tom Pugh Birthdays Those celebrating 90+ birthdays are in listed in bold. 2nd Mary Metz 3rd Fred Coleman, William Taft 4th Nathan Jessup, Andrew Washicheck, Juan Lopera 5th Carolyn McKinney 6th Pamela Cramer, Harper Duffield 7th Gracie Kremer, Emma McKinney 8th Kari Faber, Tom Rickner, Eric Statz 9th Gayle McFarland 11th Patricia Peters, Avery Rice-Arnesen 12th Katherine Wiggins 13th Kellen Rice, Megan Thomas 15th Julianna Corderman, Robin Craig, Eva Cornwell, Thomas Lovely, Vicki Jessup, Luke Cimino 16th Carol Grogan, David Lytton-Sarazin, August Sager 18th Louisa Kovalic, Michele Last, Ellen Lewis, Ken Taylor, James York, Lydia Karch 19th Alliyah Williams 20th Rene Simon, John Sturges 21st Natasha Ketchum, Susan Robinson, Erin Vierstra 23rd Pamina Nemet 24th Robert Metz, John Toussaint 26th Jack Tupta 28th Pam Asquith, Jackson McIntosh, Maya Canavan, Catherine Easter 30th Tristan Cook 31st Donald Yandow, Erin Baumann, Dorris K. Belknap Office Hosts First Sunday: Fannie Hicklin Second Sunday: Barb Williams Third Sunday: Barb Williams Fourth Sunday: Fannie Hicklin