St. Paul s United Church of Christ Rev. RaeAnn Beebe 1250 Leonard Point Rd. Oshkosh, WI 54904 920-231-3080 stpauls@ntd.net MAY 2016 Tidings What would draw over 120 people together on the nicest Saturday so far in the spring together? No, it wasn t a sporting event or a political rally. It wasn t a concert or the opening of a long anticipated movie. It wasn t even a celebrity sighting. It was the Annual Meeting of the Northeast Association of the Wisconsin Conference UCC! That s right, 120 delegates and clergy representing the 58 churches of the Northeast Association plus retired clergy and their spouses, members-in-discernment, and visitors all gathered at Bethlehem UCC in Kiel on April 16. What a bunch of church geeks! One of the pastors who preached that day asked, What are you all doing here on this beautiful day? You must be all church geeks! Geeks maybe, but certainly people who care about the church and don t believe that it is irrelevant in the 21 st century. The day was filled with hope, love, and faith three key components of Christianity. Business meetings often do not spark a sense of hope, especially when budgets and raising dues is discussed, but that is exactly what happened. The Executive Committee proposed a $.25 per member dues increase for 2017 to make the gap between expenditures and income smaller. It was explained that this was due in part to a decrease in dues a few years ago and the decline in membership numbers reported by churches. Money would still need to be taken from the reserves, but not as much. One person stood up and asked if this increase was enough? He wondered if more income was needed so that the ministry the Association is called to do would happen and even increase. He proposed that the dues be raised from the proposed $4.25 to $5.00 a person. Someone else stood up and said that they agreed with funding the ministry the Association was called to do, but felt that the Association should be spending down its reserves. That this was excess dues received in other years and that its intent when given was to be used for the ministry of the Association. There was much discussion about this, civil discussion. In the end the motion to increase dues to $5.00 a person was defeated, but an understanding that the work of the Association was important and cutting programs, scholarships, and events in order to reduce a budget was not faithful ministry and if more had to be taken from the reserves then the Executive Committee should do that. Another area when hope and faith were demonstrated during the business portion of the day was when churches were recognized for their gifts to Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM). Overall, the churches of the Northeast Association INCREASED their giving to OCWM by $11,000! Yes, I said increased. One church increased its OCWM giving by over 50% all while they are renovating their sanctuary. Quite impressive and hopeful. St. Paul s continues to be in the top 10 per capita givers to OCWM. Congratulations! 1
But it was during the Installation Service for Rev. Jane Anderson as Associate Conference Minister (ACM) and the breakout sessions to discuss specific areas of the SHIFT Initiative that the hope and faith were most evident. For the most part, our entire Conference staff is new to their positions. This means letting go of what was and looking ahead to what can be. There is no one there to remember how it used to be. The Conference is committed to a unified vision for the entire conference and resourcing with pastors, lay people, and our churches so that mission and ministry can happen in each of our contexts. I was privileged to participate in the Faith Formation breakout session and share our story of The Path, about trying something different and thinking outside the box. Others in the group shared from their experiences as well and many asked questions none of us have the answers to right now. There was the feeling that we know we have to engage the world around us in different ways and we want to be faithful in the ways that we do that. A large group of people gathered on a beautiful spring day for the love of the church and to express hope for its future. Blessings, Pastor RaeAnn April 3 Remembered Arthur and Ann Juedes given by Audrey Cain. April 10 Honored the 120 th anniversary of St. Paul s given by Church Council President, Ellen Becker. April 10 Remembered Dr. Norman and Pauline (Habhegger) Kleinschmit and Colonel Charles and Frances (Habhegger) Wesner given by Sue Britton and family. April 10 - Flowers and worship bulletins remembered Anne G. Boss given by Benjamin Boss. Now is YOUR CHANCE to win a $25 SCRIP gift card! To enter, either place an order for SCRIP by May 1 st OR purchase some cards from church. Each $25 = 1 entry Contest runs from April 14-May 1 The next SCRIP order is due on Sunday, May 1 st 2
COMING: 64 TH NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER! The Oshkosh Celebration - 12 noon, till 12:45 PM May 5 th, 16 Oshkosh City Hall Flagpole-215 Church Ave. You are encouraged to exercise your First Amendment right to pray and worship Narrative Lectionary Readings for April 5/1 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 5/4 & 5/8 1 Corinthians 15:1-26, 51-57 5/11 & 5/15 Acts 2:1-4, 1 Corinthians 12:1-13 You may be wondering about the texts for 5/22 and 5/29, me too! I am looking at a couple of series options for the summer as the Narrative Lectionary doesn t really go through the summer. They have suggestions, but I am looking to do something else. Stay tuned! I can assure you that it will be worth your while. All Church Rummage Sale for the CAMPital Campaign An All Church Rummage Sale will be held on June 4 th. Proceeds from the rummage sale will go toward our pledge to the CAMPital Campaign. Please bring items you would like to donate to the sale to the church. We can store them in the garage. If you need your items picked up, let Jenny Borgmann or Pastor RaeAnn know and arrangements will be made. You do not need to mark the items. Helpers will be needed for set up and the day of the sale, so if you are willing to help, let Jenny Borgmann know. We are so fortunate in Wisconsin to have two wonderful camps with programs for all ages and interests. Their ministry is an extension of our ministry, so let s give it our full support. On June 5 th, we will celebrate with all of those who are graduating from high school and college. We will recognize their accomplishments during worship and bless them on the journeys before them. Graduates are invited to wear their cap & gown. If you are graduating or know of someone who is, please contact the church office so we don't miss anyone. ANAND, AJ and TONI #28 (05/01) 3
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH SPECIAL OFFERING SUNDAY, MAY 15 TH When you invest in the vision supported by Strengthen the Church, your gift will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches, and help develop the spiritual lives of our youth and young adults. Special envelopes will be available in the pews for this offering. If you are unable to obtain one, just call the church office to have one mailed. Lynn Rollmann and Anne Gassere for preparing and cleaning up communion during April. Lynn Rollmann and Annette Reichard for arranging all the Easter special plants. Lowell Reepsdorf for spring maintenance on mowers Dennis Krause for miscellaneous repairs Chris Reichard for door lock repairs Ellen Becker for filling and cleaning the pew racks. Chris Reichard continual monitoring of emergency equipment and replacing batteries when necessary. Jenny Borgmann gift of office copy paper Hiedi Sheldon for organizing the successful Easter breakfast along with all those who helped in preparation and clean up. Rev. Harley Tretow for volunteering to coordinate the Back to School Fair. Thanks to all those who contributed to a very special celebration at St. Paul s on April 10 th the 120 th anniversary of this congregation. Rena Gomach prepared a lovely Power Point presentation for worship along with assistance from Rory Beebe; Ellen Becker, Sue Britton and Ben Boss provided all the special bulletins and lovely floral arrangements; Annette Reichard was responsible for the beautiful cake displaying three photos of different church buildings in St. Paul s history; Chris Reichard, Ellen Becker and Rena Gomach also helped with reception preparations and memorabilia displays. If anyone who was unable to attend that Sunday would like a copy of the anniversary Power Point, it can be emailed to you if you contact the church office (231-3080 or stpauls@ntd.net). There are also copies of the special worship bulletin available that included a special history insert prepared by Liz Joachim. Worship bulletins on April 10 th remembered Anne G. Boss given by Benjamin Boss. 4
To date, $2615 has been paid towards our 3 year, $30,000 pledge. Won t you consider helping us with your pledge to this campaign by using the pledge card below? NAME: My pledge to the CAMPITAL Campaign: $1.50 a week - $78 a year - $234 over 3 years $2.00 a week - $104 a year - $312 over 3 years $3.00 a week - $156 a year - $468 over 3 years Other: per week/month/year KARST, ADALEE 05/01 HINZ, KENNETH 05/05 JAEGER, DONNA 05/17 SHELDON, HIEDI 05/19 SPAULDING, OWEN 05/19 TRETOW, SHIRLEY 05/20 CLINE, MADISON 05/21 JOACHIM, BILL 05/22 SCHULTZ, MARY 05/27 SHELDON, JACOB 05/31 GIVING STATEMENTS for the 1 st quarter of 2016 will be available in the Narthex during May. Please pick yours up to save us postage. Thanks to those who continue to bring treats for Sunday coffee hour. We are currently in need of coffee, juices and cookies to supplement our supplies. Please continue to bring us your used ink cartridges which helps with the purchasing of office supplies. Keep up the good work. 5
WHO DOESN T LOVE A PARADE? Did you know the Town of Algoma Parade on June 4, 2016 ends right here at St. Paul s UCC? What a wonderful opportunity for us to serve those walking in the parade! We will be providing water and restrooms to those in the parade this year. Here s how YOU can help: 1. Donations of bottled water are needed. (There will be a bin in the Narthex) 2. Assist in the tent handing out water or in the building directing people to the bathrooms. NOTE: This parade takes place on the SAME DAY as St. Paul s Rummage Sale (details on page 3) ATTENTION ALL CHURCH KEY HOLDERS The Church Council requests that a Key Check be completed annually during May. Therefore, if YOU are holding a church key for any reason, please BRING your key to the church office OR see Liz on Sunday mornings during May for an accurate inventory. This will provide the Council with an up-to-date list of all key holders. As a reminder, please DO NOT loan your key out to anyone who is not assigned to that key. There are extra keys in the office; therefore, if you need a key, just contact the office and sign out a key. By having an accurate accounting of all keys, the security and safety of the church building, its contents and the people who use the building will be greatly enhanced. (We have had several incidents of strangers entering through unlocked doors.) REMINDER: If you enter/unlock any church door PLEASE check to make sure the door is locked when you leave! Too many members have found doors unlocked when they arrive for a church activity. OFFICE AND CUSTODIAL SUPPLIES During May, there will be a special Wish Tree in the Narthex for office and custodial supplies. Just take a leaf of your choice, purchase the item and return it to church. If you attach a receipt, you will be given credit on your Giving Statement. 6
There also will be envelopes available if you would prefer to make a financial gift instead of shopping just indicate if you prefer office or custodial supplies and don t forget your name for credit purposes. Place the envelope in the offering plate or mail. Some items on the list will include: OFFICE - 8½ x 11 copy paper* 8½ x 14 colored legal paper* Staples gift cards** Address labels 1 x 2 5/8 SCOTCH brand tape* BIC wite-out correction fluid 6 x 9 gummed envelopes online only (item 247668/19281) 2½ x 4¼ coin envelopes #10 gummed white envelopes CUSTODIAL 33 gallon garbage bags* 10 gallon garbage bags* Toilet paper 2 ply maximum 500 sheets per roll* Mr. Clean (Fabreeze scent)* Vinegar Paper towel rolls* Iron Out Duct tape Liquid wax remover *(Items with asterisks are needed the most) 7
ALTAR FLOWERS If you have a special occasion or person in your life to remember or honor, providing flowers at worship services is one way to share that time. Why not consider providing Sunday flowers at a cost of $30 for 2 vases? Following worship, the flowers are yours or you may instruct the office or flower chairman for the month to deliver them to hospitalized or shut in church members. Complete the form below to reserve a Sunday and bring it to church or mail it in along with $30. (There is also a sign up sheet in the Narthex). List your preferred date and if there is a conflict, the office will contact you. I would like to provide flowers on I would like to provide flowers: (check one) (Preferred date) In memory of OR In honor of Given by (Notice the small increase of $2 in price) WORSHIP BULLETINS I would like to reserve the worship bulletins to remember or honor a special person or occasion in my life: PREFERRED DATE: TO REMEMBER/HONOR (circle one): GIVEN BY: PHONE: The cost is $22 per Sunday. Please enclose your money with this order. If there is a conflict with the date, the church office will contact you. 8