The Tower July 24, 2016 Vol. LXXII No. 30 What was caught on that Fishin' Trip? Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers. Herbert Hoover First of all, thank you to the congregation for understanding the importance of, and making a commitment to, rest and renewal for staff. Thanks also to the staff members who picked up extra responsibilities in my absence. Because of great staff and lay leadership, I was confident the congregation was in good hands. For the last month I have been on a sabbatical that included fishing, yes, but as Herbert Hoover's quote says, fishing was much more than fish. Fishing for me on this trip, included reassessing my own spiritual life and practices, reading books, processing the horrific events happening in our world and asking what role the church should or does play in healing, seeing the world through the eyes of nature, and reconnecting with my family. My "catches" weren't big, both literally and figuratively. I was not the member of the family that caught the biggest fish. Those accolades went to others. Figuratively, they were bigger for me. I practiced good self-care, learning new ways to help myself center and focus better spiritually. I watched three families of ducks enter our lives and share ways of parenting. I nurtured and watched my kids build relationships with these three duck families, showing the importance of honoring each other's spaces. While individuals and groups of people were striking out in anger and retaliation on the news, there were trusting relationships being built between humans and ducks on our shore. The relationships of trust that were built on our shore could easily be mirrored by human beings, if we would just be willing to take the time needed to listen and learn the experiences of others. And finally, because I was on sabbatical and not 'vacation,' my family and I actually had uninterrupted time together. I love the ministry, and it is always an honor and privilege to be with people when needed. But it was a gift to me and my family to not be worried that the next call would take Mom away. I feel reenergized to minister to the congregation, support the staff, and keep First Cong engaged in a community that needs love and care. ~ Eldonna Hazen JAZZ WORSHIP begins this Thursday at 7:00pm in the Chapel. Take this opportunity to worship during the week, surrounded by jazz music! Come once and you will be hooked! This Sunday! The Last Database Tutorial Until Fall This Sunday are the last offerings of Database 101 and Database 201. If you want to see how
the new database powered by Realm works, stop by BEFORE Worship at 9:30am for Database 201 to take a sample profile for a test spin. If you have no idea what I am writing about, stop by AFTER Worship at 11:15am for Database 101. We will start from the ground up to get you familiarized with our new church database. All classes are held in the Chapel. The success and vitality of this database depends on the membership! You will be happy with how it helps you connect and interact with other members. ~ Kristin Kanitz Caregiver Support Group - Sunday, July 24 Lunch & Conversation 11:15am - 12:45pm in the Fellowship Room Caring for family members and friends is something many of us find ourselves doing at some point in life. It is often rewarding to care for loved ones, but it can also be a time of stress and isolation. We meet monthly for informal lunch and conversation. All are welcome! Not All Scrip Cards Are Equal - Helping You Help First Cong! Did you know that some retailers offer a higher return on your Scrip purchase than others? As an example, Fannie May Candies offers a 25% rebate on purchases with Scrip, Bath & Body Works has a 13% rebate, and Land's End comes in with a 16% rebate. Delta Airlines offers a 4% rebate, but with airline ticket prices as high as they've ever been this can still be a great option to generate some earnings for the Church. Go online at ShopWithScrip.com to register and to check out the complete list of retailers. Are you interested in prayerfully reflecting on the scripture BEFORE hearing the sermon? Lectio Divina is an ancient prayer form that is a devotional way of reading scripture. We are offering three opportunities this summer to meet with others and reflect on the scripture text for the Sunday sermon. No preparation or registration needed. Join us on Sundays July 24, August 7 and/or August 21 at 8:45am in the Chapel. Questions? Contact Ann: abeaty@firstcongmadison.org McDonalds and Subway Cards We are in need of food cards for assistance. You can help by purchasing gift cards and dropping them off in the office, or by providing a check designated for this purpose. Thank you! Fill the Backpacks! The Board of Outreach is gearing up for our back-to-school backpack drive. There is a list of what school supplies are needed at the display in the back of the Sanctuary, note we do not need crayons. You can drop off supplies at any time. If you have questions please contact Sarah Siedschlag at wisconsin4681@yahoo.com or 608-333-1721.
AIDS Ride Pit Stop First Congregational UCC is going to host a pit stop on the 2016 Wisconsin AIDS Ride. We will be in Eden WI, at the Eden Community Park on Seybold Road on Friday, July 29th from 8:45am-12pm. This is about a 1.5 hour drive from First Congo--so we will need some early risers! Find some friends and let's carpool! If you can come up to the pit-stop, we will be at a park shelter, near bathrooms--perfect for families to volunteer! We will have noisemakers and music and be ready to cheer on all the Riders! If you are not able to be at the pit-stop, but want to help, we need snacks--things like dill pickles, cookies in baggies-to-go, chex mix, oranges, and any other sweet or salty snacks. The Riders are always impressed with our snacks and our support! Please contact Kim Fisher and let her know how you can help (ketchfish@aol.com, or 608-206-6307). For more information about the Ride, see wisaidsride.org, and check out the fundraising page for First Congregational's Team--Team Comma! Help them meet their $5000 goal. For all First Cong LGBTQ Community and Allies Rainbow People was a group of LGBTQ people and Allies that met monthly ten plus years ago at First Cong for fellowship and programming. Over time, attendance diminished until there were very few people attending. The unspoken word seemed to be that the group was not needed anymore. Everyone felt comfortable and at home in the congregation. We continue to have new LGBTQ faces in our congregation and we would like to start meeting again, probably 3-4 times a year. We have planned an event on SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 at the BRITTINGHAM PARK SHELTER, starting at 4:30pm. (829 W. Washington Ave.) This will give families a place for kids to play, yet all of us will have time to talk about issues related to the LGBTQ community. Bring a side dish to share - or just come! Watch Your Steps! The next phase of the Reach and Renew Campaign will soon be taking steps. The Renovation Committee is working closely with the architect and general contractor to commence work on the Breese Terrace steps. In need of much repair, the crumbling steps will be removed and replaced, and new handrails installed. The project will also include a ramp, allowing accessibility to the Narthex and Sanctuary via the Breese Terrace entrance. The project will provide a much more aesthetic and welcoming front door to the wider community. Specific start times are still being sorted out, but it will be soon. The project will require some temporary adjustments for the First Cong Community but the Renovation Committee asks all for patience as efforts continue to move forward to update this beautiful, yet aging, building and create a more extravagant welcome. The Renovation Committee includes: Ben Ringle (Chair), Cathie Easter, Levi Hagen, Scott Hackel, Vicki Teal, and staff members Jeff Rabe and Bob Zeier.
THIS SUNDAY, please start using the Lathrop parking lot entrance, Garden entrance, or the University Avenue entrance! Demolition in the front could be starting on Friday this week, or Monday of next week! Best just to start the habit now! Thanks for planning ahead! Travel to the Holy Land Rev Bonnie Van Overbeke and Nancy Baumgardner will lead their 8th trip to Israel Palestine in April 2017. You are invited to consider joining the delegation! On this trip you will visit ancient holy sites and talk with today's holy people who honor the traditions these sites represent by living lives of faith in this troubled land. One of the places we will visit is Hebron, the town near where last Sunday's Bible story took place. Our trip is scheduled for April 20-30, 2017. For more information or to sign up, contact Bonnie Van Overbeke at bonnievano@aol.com or 608 274-1859. Music News The Coventry Ringers are looking for a new member!! No experience ringing handbells is necessary. You don't even have to be able to read music, though that's helpful! We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm and play in Worship about 4-5 times a season. The handbell choir is a low-stress environment...really!!! We laugh a lot, and play some beautiful music. Come be a part of the fun. For more information, contact Don DeBruin or talk to any of our current members. Children, Family and Youth News Youth Mission Trip to St. Louis A crew of First Cong High Schoolers, accompanied by Ann Beaty and Jeff Rabe, are in St. Louis for a week long mission trip. The group is spending some time with two different service organizations which have long standing ties with the UCC. Working with Neighborhood Houses, youth will be spending two days at a neighborhood pre-school / childcare center cleaning toys, doing yard work, playing with kids and whatever else needs doing.http://neighborhoodhouses.org
Youth will also connect with Emmaus Homes, an organization that advocates for and empowers individuals with developmental disabilities. www.emmaushomes.org On Friday, July 22, their last day in St. Louis, the First Cong kids have been invited to St. Peter's UCC in Ferguson, MO for a morning workshop-discussion on Race and Communication. The St. Peter's Congregation was personally invested and involved in the build up to, and response to, the shooting of Michael Brown on August 9, 2014. The staff of St. Peter's is working to create retreats for church and community groups to share their experiences and help others open dialogues on Race and Race Relations and are using this meeting with First Cong youth as a template for future retreats. Youth will share experiences about the mission trip after Worship on Sunday, August 14. Sunday Scripture: Luke 11:1-11 The text for this Sunday records two different, but related stories. The first is Jesus' response to one of the disciples asking him to teach them how to pray. This is the text that provides the basis for the words we use in multiple settings today. A prayer held close to our hearts, and often takes center stage in our minds when we have no words to respond with any other kind of prayer. The second story is told by Jesus immediately after he shares the words of prayer. This story too is familiar to our ears, and his point is the need for persistence in prayer and action. Jesus says, For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. It is easy for us to become dismayed in our work, but Jesus, in these two stories, reminds us of the importance of prayer and the need for persistence. Are these words enough encouragement for us? Wouldn't it be easier to stop knocking on the door? ~ Eldonna Hazen Member News Congratulations to Mari and Dan McCarty on the birth of their granddaughter. We celebrate 10 years of Pew Warmers softball. If you have member news you would like to share, contact the office at office@firstcongmadison.org. Upcoming Events Tuesday, July 19 12noon Bible Conversations ~ SL 5:15pm NA Women's ~ LRC 7:00pm NA ~ LRC Wednesday, July 20 9:00am Staff Meeting ~ SL Wednesday, July 20 9:00am Staff Meeting ~ SL Thursday, July 21 6:00pm Permaculture Guild ~ FR 7:00 Jazz Worship ~ Chapel 7:30pm AA ~ LRC
Friday, July 22 Saturday, July 23 8:00am Women's Book Study ~ SL Sunday, July 24 8:45am Lectio & Discussion ~ SL 9:15am Database 201 Tutorial ~ C 10:00am Sunday Worship 11:15am Caregiver's Support Group ~ FR 11:15am Database 101 Tutorial ~ C Monday, July 25 Tuesday, July 26 12noon Bible Conversations ~ SL 5:15pm NA Women's ~ LRC 7:00pm NA ~ LRC Worship Attendance on Sunday, July 17, 2016 was 131.