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| Newsletters > Good News > 06-06-07 | ||
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Back to the Books! On June 17 I will depart for my third and final three-week session in Chicago as part of my Doctor of Ministry in Preaching program. For the past two years I have been focusing on preaching during times of congregational transition, particularly as it relates to a pastor’s retirement and the subsequent interim period. This year’s focus will be on writing a thesis before I graduate in June 2008. While the main goal of this summer’s residency program is to put together a thesis proposal, I already anticipate writing on the preacher during times of transition. What issues does the preacher need to work through personally before s/he preaches on the transition publicly? How much information should be shared in the sermon regarding the transition and when should it be shared? In addition to preparing the thesis proposal I will take two classes: Preaching as Social Transformation and Preaching as Celebration. In the first course (required) we will look at the way preaching can address social issues, such as racism, war, and violence. In the second course, an elective, we will learn about the role of celebration in the African American pulpit. Celebration is the natural response to hearing the Good News of Christ and is integral in the African American preaching tradition. I hope to find ways to incorporate celebration in my preaching that are appropriate to my context and who I am as a preacher. I look forward to this time in Chicago, not only for the learning involved, but to be with my classmates one more time before we graduate from our respective seminaries. I wish to thank all of you for giving me the time and financial support to make my participation in this program possible. My prayer is that in improving my preaching that your faith life has been enriched as well. Peace,
In Deepest Sympathy We offer our Christian love to the families of Doris Haaker at the death of her cousin; of Dru Cagnoni-Jacobs at the death of her aunt; of Joanne and John Harms at the death of their granddaughter; of Kristin and Daniel Murphy at the death of their niece; and of Bill Bogenschultz at the death of his sister.
2007 High School Graduates Congratulations and God’s blessings to our seniors as they graduate from area high schools. They will be recognized on Sunday, June 10, during the 9:30 a.m. worship service. They are: D.J. Dielentheis Congratulations!
Good News Deadline The next deadline for Good News articles is June 11. This issue will be in homes on Wednesday, June 20.
A Message from the “As members of this church, we commit ourselves to personal lifestyles that contribute to the health of the environment.” From the ELCA social statement, Fact: If fuel economy were improved by 5 miles per gallon, American consumers would save 1/5 million barrels of oil per day, more than half of what the U.S. imports from the Middle East. Henry Ford’s world-changing Model T got about 25 miles to a gallon of gas. In 2002, all of Ford’s fleet averaged 24.3 miles per gallon, while the entire fleet of American-made cars averaged 24.6 miles per gallon. Commitment: There are simple things you can do to improve your gas mileage. Keep your car tuned up and your tires properly inflated. Keeping your highway speed at 55 mph can improve gas mileage by as much as 25%, compared to 75 mph. Prayer: Holy God, thank you for your many resources of your creation. Help us to use them wisely and carefully that we might not waste what we have extracted from your creation. Amen.
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!! The ministries of First United could not happen without you, the dedicated members of the congregation. In one year our volunteers give over 39,000 hours in service to others. Here are some examples: * 288 people share 286 hours a month welcoming and serving others on Sunday mornings. (Assistant ministers, Altar Guild, Sound & Lights, Greeters, Ushers, Communion Helpers, Coffee Host/Hostess, Kiddie Keep, Children’s Time helpers, Counting teams, and Acolytes) * 69 volunteers share their musical gifts of singing or playing a musical instrument for 399 hours each month. (Sanctuary Choir, Christus Choir, Cherub Choir, Bells, Electric Gospel, Praise Band, and special music) * 110 people serve a total of 1590 hours on the Church Council and ministry teams each year. * 40 volunteers share a total of 28 hours a month to help spread * 25 people give a total of 82 hours of their time to keep our church home beautiful, warm, and welcoming. (Building upkeep, Lawn/Land-scaping upkeep, Holy Dusters, and tidying the pew racks) * Volunteers give to others in our community and around the world:
As you can see, there are so many opportunities to serve here at
Confirmation Pictures The Confirmation pictures for this year’s class have arrived and are available in the Gathering Area. Please pick yours up as soon as possible. Thank you!
The Hymnals have Arrived! Our new hymnals have arrived, and we hope to be using them in the next few weeks! A gift has been made to make the purchase of the hymnals possible. In response to requests to donate hymnals “in honor of” or “in loving memory” of someone, you may contribute to the new hymnal fund at a cost of $20 per book. To designate a hymnal, please pick up a form in the church office or at the Welcome Center on Sunday, complete it, and return it with payment to the church office. If you wish to purchase a new hymnal for personal use, the cost is the same ($20). Just fill out the lower portion of the form and return it with payment to the church office, as well.
Bridgeway Hosts On Saturday, July 7, two volunteers are needed from 4:30-6:30 p.m. to help moms prepare, serve and clean up an evening meal. Bridgeway is a transitional living facility for homeless women with children, and is run by SCIO. Volunteers are invited and encouraged to eat dinner with the families. Please sign up on the kiosk in the Gathering Area, or call the church office to volunteer.
High School Finals Study Night On Monday, June 11, from 4:00-9:30 p.m. , there will be a number of teachers of various subjects who are from our congregation who will assist high school students prepare for their finals here at First United in Fellowship Hall. If you have not pre-registered, please contact Thom Nicla at 452-2401 to see if there are any available openings!
Emmaus Meals Help us to help others! First United will be serving our next Emmaus Meal at the Salvation Army on Saturday, June 9, and there are a number of food items needed to prepare the meal. Please help by signing your name next to any of the items on the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area, and bring them to church by Thursday, June 7. There will be labeled boxes in the small kitchen near the southwest entrance to place your items in. Some items we need include: pickles, celery, hamburger buns, fruit cocktail, potato chips, ground beef, Sloppy Joe sauce, and desserts (cookies, brownies, bars, cakes, etc.) Thank you for your help!
Can you hear me now?? That’s what we’ll be saying in short order if our phone system is not replaced. We are in need of replacing our telephone system for the church as we unexpectedly lost the computer panel that operates the incoming and outgoing calls for First United, leaving us without phone service for several hours. We now have a refurbished unit in place to keep us operational, but need to look toward a new permanent system, as this one is already showing signs of strain. Staying in touch with our congregation is essential and we need to take steps to insure that we are never without vital telephone function. The estimated cost of the new phone system would not exceed $7,500. This amount is not included in our operating budget for 2007. If, through your generosity, you are able to help us keep our church office operating efficiently, we would be most appreciative. Please make your check payable to First United, marked for “phone.” Thank you for your help! 2 large fry pans! Our First United “cooks” have commented that the fry pans we have are either too small or way to big! If you would like to donate a pan or two, please contact the church office. Thank you!
ROUND EM UP We are looking to “round up” some western gear for this year’s Vacation Bible School . Items like: 10 gallon hats, lariats, boots, wagon wheels, horse blankets, spurs, etc., but NO GUNS!! If you have any Old West items you’d be willing to share, please contact Mary Gorges at 452-2401.
To all Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors Have you ever considered attending one of the ELCA’s awesome Lutheran colleges? Well, Bishop Paul Stumme-Diers and Pastor Paul Mittermaier will be heading up a tour to our ELCA colleges over Teacher Convention Weekend this October 25-28. The itinerary is not yet set, but they will visit some combination of the following schools: Luther in Decorah, Iowa; Augsburg in Minneapolis; St. Olaf in Northfield, MN; Augustana Rock Island in Illinois; and Wartburg in Waverly, Iowa. If you would be interested in this tour, please call the church office to sign up. More details as to the cost and specific itinerary will be available soon. (I’ve been told the cost would be very affordable!)~Thom Nicla Plan to join First United Lutheran campers for a fun-filled weekend at Kohler Andrae’s group camp on Friday, September 28, through Sunday, September 30. Enjoy walks along the beach and dunes, campfires, great food and friends! Children must be accompanied by adults. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early! Sign up by August 15. State park sticker required. Details to follow. ($5/person - just camping - not sure about food, or on our own??) VIL Picnic Just a reminder...if you haven’t made your reservation for this year’s picnic, do so now! Call the church office to let us know you’re coming, and how many brats and/or burgers you plan to eat! The fun begins at 12:00 noon on Monday, June 18, in Fellowship Hall. Those who wish to play Bingo are asked to bring an unwrapped white elephant gift!
Holy Weeders The mulching is finished, but the weeds are starting to pop through! Check your areas soon. Any questions? Please call Bob or Marian Gorges at 458-6301.
Food Pantry Thank You Letter The St. Mark Food Pantry extends its most humble thanks to those who have so generously and faithfully supported it during the past year. We continue to do the good work of the Lord, serving the poor, the hungry of our own community, only by virtue of the assistance we receive from so many caring Christians. May we all thank God that this is possible! Our food pantry continues to serve anywhere from 105 to 120 needy families at each pantry. These families not only receive food and staple supplies, but they also receive any assistance they might need from our Parish Nurse, who kindly staffs a table in the entryway. ... We are supported by 28 volunteer workers, who come from many denominations in our community. The St. Mark Food Pantry continues to be open on the first and the third Fridays of each month. We will, however, be changing our hours of opening beginning on August 3, 2007. Please make note of this, particularly for those in your congregations who might need our assistance at some point. The new hours of opening will be 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the designated Fridays. May God bless you all as you labor on His behalf! You can continue to help stock the shelves of our local food pantries by bringing non-perishable foods and dropping them in the food barrel located near the triple doors as you enter the church.
Great Beginnings Notes A BIG THANK YOU goes out to our wonderful preschool teachers, Sandy Gosse and Erin Mueller! Both just finished their first year at Great Beginnings and they were able to bring new life to our wonderful preschool. Thank you, ladies, for a Great Job!! The Great Beginnings Board is also seeking new members to join the board. If you would like more information about the board, please contact Mary Gorges in the church office. On Tuesday, June 5, the preschool will hold their annual Spring Open House/Enrollment Night. The evening will start at 6:00 p.m. and go until 7:30 p.m. Please take time to stop in and see our wonderful room and meet Sandy and Erin! Appointments to view the room and meet the teachers during the week can also be made by calling the church office. We are still accepting enrollments for the 2007-2008 school year. If you would like more information on our preschool, please contact Mary Gorges in the church office.
Teachers are Great! AND...another BIG THANK YOU to all of the volunteer Sunday School teachers! You did a great job and we hope that you will continue your ministry with us in the Fall! Please remember to fill out the end of year surveys and return them to the church office. Bless you all! ~Mary and Thom
Summer Story Time The Children’s Ministry is offering Story Hour for kids ages 3-6 on Wednesday mornings starting June 6. Story Hour will be held in the Great Beginnings classroom each Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The kids will hear a story, sing songs and learn finger plays. A craft and free play will also be offered. Registration is required! Sign-up sheets and registration forms are located in the church office and Youth & Family board. Questions? Please contact Mary Gorges.
"Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix” The Youth & Children’s ministry is offering a night at the movies in July. The release date of Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix is scheduled for Friday, July 13, and Thom Nicla and Mary Gorges will be taking a group to a showing of this movie. Exact time has yet to be determined - more information to come in July. But if you know you would like to go with us, please see the sign-up sheet at the Youth & Family Board, or contact the church office.
Holy Knitters need your support! Once a month a small group of dedicated women gather together to knit and crochet prayer shawls and lap blankets. We begin with a short prayer asking God to bless our work and the people who will be receiving our gifts. Then we simply enjoy our time together while we knit and crochet. Many other equally dedicated women who are unable to join our meetings join us in spirit by knitting and crocheting prayer shawls and lap blankets at home. More than 150 prayer shawls and lap blankets have been made and gifted to people, bringing comfort, warmth, and peace at times when they needed it most. This ministry of comfort and hope needs to continue. But in order to do so, we need your support! Each shawl and blanket is made with three skeins of a special kind of yarn that is chosen because it’s soft, lightweight, warm, and washable. Some of the yarn has been donated by our knitters, but we need your financial support to purchase this yarn so that our knitters can continue to make shawls and blankets without experiencing personal financial burden. At this time we have spent more money than we have received! Please helpkeep this ministry going by giving a financial gift! Gifts of any amount will be deeply appreciated! Please write your checks out to: First United Lutheran Church, attention: Holy Knitters. Thank you! If you knit or crochet and would like to join us, please come to Room 8 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. on the second Monday of the month. See you there!
Synod sponsored First United will be hosting a synod-wide anti-racism training called, “Building Bridges,” October 19-20! This Biblically based training will be facilitated by the Lutheran Human Relations Association, and is highly recommended for all of our youth and adult members. Most synod-sponsored events such as this are typically held in the Milwaukee area. Having the event here will give you and other people from the Sheboygan area the special opportunity to attend locally! The event will be held from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19, and from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20. Cost for the entire training, materials, a light meal on Friday, snacks, and a lunch on Saturday is $75. Scholarship assistance is available upon request. Registration forms are available on the kiosk in the Gathering Area. This event will be limited in the number of participants, so please register early! Contact Deaconess Deb if you have questions.
Congratulations! Our congratulations to Elizabeth Severance and Aaron Marcoux who were married Saturday, April 21; and to Elizabeth Crisp and Adam Moyer who were married Saturday, May 26. Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization News Farmers Market – SCIO is once again sponsoring three Farmers Markets! In Sheboygan , the market will be at Fountain Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. beginning June 2. In Kohler the market will be at The Shops at Woodlake on Fridays, 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Plymouth’s market will be held in City Park (near the gazebo) on Thursdays, 2:00-6:00 p.m. beginning June 21. See you at the market! Music at The Market – The Sheboygan Farmers Market at Fountain Park is looking for local musicians to perform during Market hours. If you have been looking for a great outdoor venue to play your music and don’t mind playing for tips, this is your big chance. Call Judy at 457-7272, ext. 11, for more information, or to reserve your date. 4th Annual Bike-A-Thon – The 4th Annual SCIO Bike-a-Thon will be held on Sunday, June 24. This year’s ride starts and ends at Immaculate Conception Church . NEW Routes this year include 15, 28 & 64 mile options. Registration fee is $20 per rider if postmarked by June 15, 2007 , or $25 after June 15. Families can sign up for a flat $50. (Registration forms are on the kiosk.) Volunteer Transportation Drivers Needed – Variety of hours and options available (daily, weekly, monthly, part-time casual). You pick and choose how much time you can volunteer. Drivers are needed for doctor appointments and field trips, transportation to out of county hospitals, and other important events. If you can provide this valuable and rewarding service please contact Judy Tauschek at 457-7272 ext. 11. Transportation Program - newly formed program is in need of reliable vehicles to be donated to Bridgeway Mothers. If a limited amount of automotive work needs to be done, LTC has agreed to partner with us to bring the automobile up to good working condition. If you have an automobile to donate, please call Bonnie at 457-7272 ex 15. Automobiles will be assessed as to appropriateness in meeting the needs of the new program. IMPORTANT: Vehicles may NOT be dropped off at Bridgeway without having an assessment on the vehicle completed first. Thank you! Bridgeway Needs, & Wants: Wants: Please collect the following to purchase needed supplies for our daycare and home: Program Needs
Employment Program: If you own a business or know of a local company willing to partner with Bridgeway to provide a chance for a mother to gain full time employment, please contact Bonnie at 457-7272 ex 15. Many of the mothers that come to Bridgeway are extremely hard working and dependable and are only looking for an opportunity to be considered. We are looking for employment in the areas of factory labor, housekeeping, food service, hotel hospitality, grocery store (checkout, packer, stocker) and laundry. Would you be willing to partner with Bridgeway to provide a job opportunity so a mother can support her family? Give us a call to discuss the program.
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