The Tower. Celebrating 175 Years... LXXI May 3, 2015

Transcription

1 The Tower First Congregational United Church of Christ Madison, Wisconsin LXXI May 3, 2015 No. 17 Celebrating 175 Years... From Madison to Kenya via Leigh Vierstra This Sunday First Congregational will have a great opportunity to hear about PA-MOJA, a project that connects people and wildlife. More importantly, it is connecting students from East High School in Madison to Malek Secondary in Laikipia, Kenya. Leading the program for East High School is our very own Leigh Viersta. Many of you remember Leigh as a child of First Cong, but she has also been supported by First Cong in her personal growth. In 2006 Leigh traveled to the Marshall Islands, as a teacher. You might remember Leigh brought back baskets as a gift to the church. We use these baskets to collect our offering the first Sunday of every month, which we will be using this Sunday. It is our honor to promote this adventure of learning for youth in the PA- MOJA Project. First, a little history of the Project. PA-MOJA (Swahili for together) is a non-profit organization started in 2006 by a Canadian primatologist. Through educational development PA-MOJA aims to help all people see the value in protecting the environment that sustains them. PA-MOJA helps communities through two strategic partnerships: first, working in conjunction with Ol Pejeta Conservancy, East Africa s 2nd largest Rhino conservancy, and North American schools to build understanding, awareness, and empathy towards other cultures and wildlife species. Second, PA-MOJA partners with North American and Kenyan schools to fund scholarships and improve the educational infrastructures of Kenyan schools so that students have a place in which to effectively learn, end the cycle of poverty and reduce the communities reliance on unsustainable poaching as a main economic activity. These sustainability measures include funding infrastructure systems such as water tanks, classrooms, and biogas for the school lunch program to ensure that these communities thrive. The mission of the East High School program is to help East High School students grow into global citizens and future leaders. The program has three parts. Part one is to Explore. Students begin their exploration of Kenyan culture and prepare for their in-country learning experience. With the goal of creating globally and culturally competent graduates, East High School has spent the last two years learning and growing together with Malek Secondary. Part two is Interact. After two years of exchanging words and images, the students are ready to work side by side. This is where the funding becomes essential. The full cost for one individual is $4000. To make the program inclusive to all, each student will be funded 100% for the travel experience. No one should be kept from this great opportunity because of expense. Part three is Reflect, Present & Act. Upon the students return from Kenya, the students will be responsible for reflecting on their experience and presenting to donors, community members and peers. We are proud to have Leigh as a member of First Congregational. We are excited that she is part of such wonderful programming in the public schools. We are grateful to have the opportunity to help fund one of the students who is part of the PA-MOJA Project. Come and hear both Leigh and the students talk about this great project this Sunday. And don t forget to bring your checkbook! ~ Eldonna Hazen Long-term members present at the April 19, 2015 luncheon shared many special memories of their lives in our church. Several people shared stories about Sigma Nu Kappa (Sunday Nite Klub), a Sunday evening group for high schoolers. Sigma Nu s positive influence of education and fellowship extended from approximately 1920 to Volunteer advisor Norris Tibbetts led the group from 1956 to 1968, in well-attended educational programs, service projects, and exchange visits.

2 Join Us For Morning Service Sunday, May 3, 2015 Sunday Worship 10am in the Sanctuary Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20 The text for this Sunday is the last four verses from the Gospel of Matthew. We are most familiar with verse 19, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... These are words the author of Matthew attributed to Jesus. Jesus disciples have been with him through his ministry, death and resurrection. This is the commissioning to the disciples. Jesus hopes the disciples have been paying attention. He hopes the disciples can now go out into the world to make a difference. What do these words mean to us today? What do we think the commissioning could mean to us as we have just experienced Jesus resurrection? What does it mean for our support of the Pa-Moja Project, which we will hear more about in worship this Sunday? This commissioning doesn t only give us permission to do ministry, it is an expectation! ~ Eldonna Hazen first cong children & Families OPERATION SMILE! First Cong Children and Youth would like to thank everyone who made a joyful noise during the change offering on Sunday, April 26. $385 was collected during the youth-led service to support Operation Smile, which provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children around the globe. THANK YOU! SAVE THE DATES All Church Picnic and Camping May Lake Farm Park, Madison Questions? Contact Melissa Baumann or MomChemist@gmail.com COME CHEER FOR THE PEW WARMERS! Softball season has begun and our very own Pew Warmers would like you to come warm the bleachers and cheer them on while they play. Upcoming games are: May 1, 8:30, Bowman 1, 1700 Fish Hatchery Rd. May 8, 6:30, Goodman 1, 100 W. Olin Ave. MUSICAL NOTES Bobby Jo Valentine Performs for First Cong, Wed. May 13 We are fortunate to have a well-regarded, award winning musician come to First Congo to play for us! Bobby Jo Valentine performs his hopeful folk/pop music in an intimate, acoustic performance at 7:00pm on May 13. Let s give Bobby Jo a real First Congo welcome by setting aside this evening as an opportunity to be together in fellowship and enjoy some excellent music. Bring a friend or two along! More information about Booby Jo and his music can be found at bobbyjovalentine.com. Thursday, May 28 at 7:30pm in the Sanctuary, con vivo! chamber music ensemble will present Bon Voyage: Dane to Kassel! the Madison presentation of some favorite pieces from our concerts that we will perform in Germany this June as we represent you on our cultural exchange tour to Kassel, Germany, Dane County s Sister County. Tickets at the door: $20/$15 senoirs/students. June 7, Annual FCUCC Regent Neighborhood Party Our sympathies to the family of Bob Elvehjem. Bob died Friday, April 14. Private services will be held.

3 ANNOUNCEMENTS Worship Service for Quiet Reflection Are you looking for a place to unplug? Do you want space to rest in the quiet of God s love and care? Meet in the Fellowship Room at 6:00pm Wednesdays May 6 through June :20 is a time of silence and music; 6:20-6:40 includes liturgy for Holy Communion and Healing Prayers; 6:40-7:00pm returns to silence and music. Come for the whole hour or any of the segments. Questions? Contact Ann Beaty, abeaty@firstcongmadison.org Legacy Series Returns Popular Adult Series returns this Sunday! On May 3, join Eldonna Hazen for What is Your Legacy: Writing Ethical Wills and on May 10, the sessions continue with What Will My Memorial Service Look Like? Both series will take place in the Fellowship Room and will start at 8:45am. Honoring our Visitors, and enhancing our Worship Experience In an effort to provide the best worship filled experience for our en re community, the implementa on of the new order of worship will begin Sunday, May 3. The changes will be very slight, but hopefully helpful. Worship will begin with a short Welcome, followed by the Prelude, Introit, and then the Call to Worship. A er the Call to Worship we will have the Passing of the Peace. There will be a set amount of me for the exchange of peace before the organ begins the hymn. The beginning of the hymn should signal the close of the passing of the peace. The announcements will be incorporated into worship just prior to the prayers. This is when we can make announcements about our church community and ask that we pray for the events or individuals. Addi onally, our worship experience is an important part of how we extend our welcome to visitors. Please take me to look around and greet people who might be visi ng, rather than people you see regularly and will have an opportunity to talk with another me. I also encourage you to introduce yourself to new people a er worship. The best way to keep people returning is if they immediately feel part of the community. It is important for us to con nually evaluate how to be er our worship experience, and to make sure our visitors feel welcome. Thanks, in advance for your willingness to be open to making some minor adjustments. Thanks for honoring our visitors and hopefully enhancing our worship experience. ~ Eldonna Hazen Prayer Practice Reflection Group We will meet in the Fellowship Room following worship on the second Sunday of the month. The leader will ring a bell at 11:15 to begin. After sitting in silence for 5 minutes, each person will have a chance to reflect on how their practice has been in the past month. We will end promptly at 12 noon. Next session: MAY 10. All are welcome! For more information abeaty@firstcongmadison.org A Congregational Meeting is set for May 10 to vote on the slate of officers and board members. The meeting will take place near the close of Worship. First-Sunday Food Donation The first Sunday of the month, May 3, we will 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! Just Bakery Sunday, May 3. 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. Just Bakery is a ministry of Madison Area Urban Ministry (MUM). Executive Council Report, April 2015 Our Executive Council met on April 20 and set Sunday, May 10 as the date for the Congregational Meeting when the Congregation will elect our Church officers for The Council also committed our Church to participate in the Conference Capital Campaign for Wisconsin UCC camps. This campaign will take place over the next three years. Additionally, the Council endorsed both the Church Profile and the Job Description which were developed by the Search Committee for the purpose of recruiting and hiring a full time Associate Minister. The Board of Outreach presented its updated mission statement, which the Council voted to adopt. After reviewing and discussing the implementation of a congregation-wide survey to evaluate the Sr. Minister, the survey was approved and plans for electronic or hard-copy response are moving forward.

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, April 26 was 243. Church Calendar April 30-May 10, 2015 Thursday April 30 6:00pm Confirmation Class ~ YR, DR 8:00pm AA ~ Room 303 Friday, May 1 Saturday, May 2 Sunday, May 3 8:45am Legacy Series Writing an Ethical Will ~ FR 10:15am Wee Worship ~ Chapel Monday, May 4 7:00pm All Boards ~ Chapel Tuesday, May 5 6:30pm Co-counseling Class ~ LRC Wednesday, May 6 9:00am Staff Meeting, Worship planning ~ SL 5:30pm Renovation Committee ~ YR 6:00pm Worship for Quiet Reflection ~ FR Thursday, May 7 Community Meals Day 6:00pm Confirmation ~ YR Friday, May 8 5:30pm Family Amazing Grace ~ DR Saturday, May 9 1:00pm Salek Piano Recital ~ S Sunday, May 10 8:45am Legacy Series Planning Your Own Memorial Service ~ FR McKenzie Baptism 10:15am Sunday School 11:15am Prayer Practice Reflection Group ~ F BK ~ Big Kitchen C ~ Chapel DR ~ Dining Room 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 May 2015 Friday, May 1 Saturday, May 2 Sunday, May 3 8:45am Adult Ed: Legacy ~ FR 10:15am Wee Worship ~ Chapel Monday, May 4 7:00pm All Boards ~ Chapel Tuesday, May 5 6:30pm Co-counseling Class ~ LRC Wednesday, May 6 5:30pm Renovation Committee ~ YR Thursday, May 7 Community Meals Day 6:00pm Confirmation ~ YR Friday, May 8 Saturday, May 9 1:00pm Salek Piano Recital ~ S Sunday, May 10 8:45am Adult Ed: Legacy ~ FR 10:15am Sunday School Monday, May 11 7:00pm Young, Gifted and Black Event ~ S Tuesday, May 12 5:00pm Exec. Council Agenda Mtg. ~ SL 6:30pm Co-counseling Class ~ LRC Wednesday, May 13 7:00pm Bobbi Jo Valentine Concert ~ S Thursday, May 14 6:00pm Confirmation ~ YR Friday, May 15 Saturday, May 16 Sunday, May 17 Confirmation 10:15am Sunday School 1:00pm AFS Student/Parent Orientation ~ DR, FR, LRC Monday, May 18 6:00pm Executive Council ~ FR Tuesday, May 19 1:30pm Worship at Oakwood 6:00pm Eldonna #1 ~ SL Wednesday, May 20 Thursday, May 21 Friday, May 22 Saturday, May 23 Sunday, May 24 10:00am Sunday Worship Monday, May 25 Church office closed Tuesday, May 26 5:00pm Madison Choral Project Rehearsal ~ S 5:00pm Foundation Board ~ SL 5:15pm NA Women s ~ Room 301 7:00pm NA ~ Room 301 Wednesday, May 27 5:00pm Madison Choral Project Rehearsal ~ S Thursday, May 28 7:30pm con vivo! Concert ~ Sanctuary Friday, May 29 7:30 Madison Choral Project Concert ~ Sanctuary Saturday, May 30 Sunday, May 31 2:30pm Madison Choral Project Concert ~ Sanctuary, DR

6 Greeters First Sunday Team: Dana Chabot (even-numbered months), Emily Savage, Jeanne Marshall, Jane Ferguson Second Sunday Team: Jane Deyo, Fannie Hicklin, Josh Wimmer, Robin Craig Third Sunday Team: Betty Hasselkus, Steve Lerdahl, Judy Whipple, Dana Parker Fourth Sunday Team: Mary Ellen Gerloff, Karen Gussert, Bob Metz, Betta Owens, Ann Maffet, Nancy Payne Office Hosts First Sunday: Fannie Hicklin Second Sunday: Barb Williams Third Sunday: Barb Williams Fourth Sunday: Fannie Hicklin Sound System First Sunday: Rob Hetzel Second Sunday: Gary Pine Third Sunday : Mark Rzchowski Fourth Sunday: Bob Burns Fifth Sunday: Tom Pugh Ushers First Sunday Team: Jane Deyo, Katharine Gansner, Janet Pugh, Jeanne Tyler Second Sunday Team: Bob Burns, Jeanne Marshall, Elizabeth and Holden Ringle, Elizabeth Armstrong Third Sunday Team: Dorothy Brown, Ellsworth Brown, Bob Gentile, Samantha Rickner, Carol Toussaint Fourth Sunday Team: Fred Wileman, Lance Bentley, Cheryl Bentley, Vicki Teal Fifth Sunday Team: Elizabeth & Holden Ringle Subs: Robin Craig, John Ehlke, David Ewing, Mark Rzchowski, Greg Ullstrom, Elizabeth Armstrong, Mary Metz, Cathy Easter, Don Last, Linda Ketchum, Rich Fluechtling, Bob Metz Birthdays Those celebrating 90+ birthdays are listed in bold. 1st Charlie Newman, Jenna Sobczak 4th Jacob Reiter 5th Audrey Diehm-Schulz, Eldonna Hazen, Fred Risser, Micah Taft, Mike Clover, Robert Burns 6th Briana Kurlinkus 7th Marsha Hall, Thomas Pugh 9th Cathy Patton, Marita Hettinger 10th Ruby Kotlarek, Nikki Ditchman 11th Petrovnia McIntosh, Elia Cochran, Erik Jones 12th Allan Bogue, Jim Hofsteen, Katie Petykowski 13th Darek Faber, Karyl Rice, Mike Wygocki 14th Erika Mudrak, Henry Larson, Jon Linder, Oscar Larson, Anne Karch, Mina Yildiz 16th Terry Christopher 17th Liam Mackey, Wendy Coleman 18th Rosemary Patton 19th Kale Mackey, Oliver Yackel, Alice Tibbetts, Laurens Anderson 21st Erin Sobczak, Violet Schultz 22nd Alan Kotlarek, Marnie Miran 23rd Dan Provencher, Wil Hetzel 24th Emily Hauschild 26th Brian Bentley, Sara Wilcox 27th Joanne Lenburg, Margaret Bowman, Jillian Halsted, Hunter Stephenson, Walker Stephenson 28th Janet Pugh, Nana Kofi Brewoo, Linda Ketcham, Rachel Kesting, Griffin Wimmer 30th Daniel Sturges, Kevin McAleese 31st Carol Adams, William Joseph Tishler