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| Newsletters > Good News > 07-04-07 | ||
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Expanding Minds - Deepening Faith - Inspiring Service On June 28, my wife and I traveled to Chicago to help celebrate the 100 th Anniversary of Lutheran Campus Ministry in the United States . In 1907, the Rev. Howard Gold was called to be the pastor to the students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and to build a congregation of students to worship, study and serve. For the last 100 years, the Lutheran churches in America have sent pastors and ministers on to public and private college and university campuses to share the gospel. The theme of the celebration is: Expanding Minds-Deepening Faith-Inspiring Service.
It has been my privilege to serve Lutheran Campus Ministry for 30 of these 100 years. I began in 1974 at Wayne State University in Detroit , Michigan ; then to University Lutheran Church at Stanford University, California ; and finally, as campus pastor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I frequently referred to this ministry as “preaching to a cafeteria line” because everyone was in constant motion. Sometimes it was like “trying to pick up warm jello” - just when you think you had it in hand, it would slip through your fingers. Over the years, I met some of the most incredible and dedicated faculty and staff, some of the most committed and called students, and some of the most profound practitioners of peace and justice, all of whom have and will continue to change the world and promote God’s will for humanity. If there is one theme that comes to mind about the role of Lutheran Campus Ministry, it is that we are called to engage the community of higher education in hopeful conversation. There is so much wrong with the world, so much about which to despair, so much to drag us down. Yet, because we have the gift of the Spirit of Christ, we can remind people that God still loves the world, that despair is not an option, and that, though Jesus, too, was dragged down, even to Hell, he rose again to bring us newness of life. I invite you to rejoice that Lutheran Campus Ministry is an integral part of your ministry as a member of the ELCA. I invite you to pray for students, faculty, staff and the institutions of higher learning in our world. And I invite you to encourage students from First United to seek out and become involved in Lutheran Campus Ministry at their campus. Peace, Pastor Jacobs
During the summer months, we continue to offer worship each Thursday evening at the Deland Center on the lakefront. Services are conducted by our Sheboygan area ELCA churches, beginning at 6:30 p.m. First United will be hosting the Thursdays of July 19 and 26. Please sign-up on the kiosk if you are willing to help! Parting is such sweet sorrow... Pastor Gail is leaving us in July. It’s sad news for us, but exciting for her and her new congregation! We want to wish her well by honoring her with a congregation get-together following worship on Sunday, July 29, in Fellowship Hall. Please join us to say “farewell and God’s speed” to Pastor Gail!
It’s Christmas in July No, it’s not Christmas, at least not December 25, but we are celebrating Christmas in July here at First United, and you get to play Santa! You will see a Christmas tree in the Gathering Area during the month of July. Each of the ornaments on that tree will have a school supply item printed on it. Please take one or more of the ornaments from the tree, purchase the item/s listed, and place them under the tree. All of the school supplies will be sorted, put into backpacks, and given to needy children in the Sheboygan area, and to our partner congregations: Cross and All Peoples’ Lutheran churches in Milwaukee . Thank you for helping to make a difference in a child’s life! ~The Social Ministry Committee
Christmas in July - Special Offerings Special offerings through the month of July will be designated for school supplies as part of the “Christmas in July” program. Please give generously, and help the needy children in our community. Thank you!
Health Care & Wellness Ministry Do you work in a health care related field? Are you interested in participating in a Health Care & Wellness Ministry Committee that would take the lead in presenting health-related topics to our congregation? Our synod has passed a Health Care & Wellness Ministry Resolution at our last Synod Assembly. This resolution asks that each congregation identify all health care related individuals, identify a contact person, and develop a common email/phone list of all willing participants that would be willing to work together to offer to the congregation such things as: If you work in (or are retired from) a health care related job, please fill out the information on the form on the kiosk. There is also more information on this which is posted on the kiosk in the Gathering Area. Thank you!
Good News Deadline Please have your articles to the church office by Monday, July 9. The next issue will be in homes on Wednesday, July 18. Thank you!
Photos and letter from Maangashiny Parish! Check out the Meru Display area to see pictures that we just received from the Maangashiny Parish in Tanzania ! The pictures are of their Companion Parish Committee, their elders, Pastor Mbise, and their vocational school, where young people learn cooking, sewing, masonry, and carpentry. We also received two letters from Pastor Mbise. One letter thanked us for sending them pictures and information about First United. The second letter describes their parish. A copy of the letters will be available for you to read at the Meru Display area. Here are a few excerpts from the two letters: “Thank you very much for your small books I received. We’re still praying for you. We still remember you. You are a friend of the Maangashiny people. Maangashiny was the name formed by the small grasses that grew in this particular area. Maangashiny is located in Arusha - Moshi highway at King’ori, north of Kilimanjaro International Airport . The congregation boasts a spectacular view of Mount Meru , the second highest mountain in Tanzania . As such, it enjoys the cool mountain climate. Maangashiny has more than 500 people. We have three churches: the church of Maangashiny itself, the church of Nkuiwa Unambwe and Nkwa Abrahamu Lutheran Church . The last two are called sub-parishes (in Swahili we call it Mitaa). I worship by moving (from church to church) each Sunday. Worship starts at 10:00 every Sunday morning. We have a Bible class every weekday and prayer group on Saturday to pray for the Sunday worshipers. This is very important here at Maangashiny. We have Sunday school every Sunday and in October we have a day to celebrate Sunday school. We have three choirs, one in each church. There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your callings, one Lord, one faith. On behalf of the organization Board and Management of our Parish, I would like to end by saying thank you very much.” ~Pastor Charles F. Mbise of Maangashiny
Synod Sponsored Anti-Racism Training HERE in October! First United is hosting a synod-wide anti-racism training called, “Building Bridges,” October 19-20, which is highly recommended for all youth and adult members. It is Biblically based, and is excellent for first-time anti-racism training and is sponsored by the Lutheran Human Relations Association. The facilitators will be Joyce Caldwell, Marilyn Miller, and Miguel de’Jesus. Most synod-sponsored events like this are held in the Milwaukee area. Having the event here is a wonderful opportunity for us 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 only $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.
Spiritual Formation Program Offered I attended a two year Spiritual Formation Program six years ago, called, “Grace Institute for Spiritual Formation.” I recommend it to anyone that is seeking to deepen their faith and their relationship to God. I will be serving on staff for the next program, which begins this August, and I would love to have you participate with me! Grace Institute is held at the beautiful Sinsinawa Mound Center near Dubuque , Iowa . It is an ecumenical, in-depth spiritual formation program for Lutherans that meets four times a year for two years. Each session includes worship, presentations, silent reflection, and discussion. Small groups that stay together for the whole program are also formed. The program develops personal spiritual growth and leadership. The eight session themes are: * grace-centered spirituality Presenters include Marty Haugen, Susan Briehl, Fr. Simeon (Orthodox monk), Ginger Anderson-Larson, Mary Preus, Tom Witt, Laura Gentry, E. Louise Williams, and Brad Hanson. Application forms (with more information) are available on the kiosk, or you can access them online at http://ministry.luther.edu/grace . Please contact me (452-2401) if you have any questions. ~Deaconess Deb
Fall Family Camping The weekend of September 28-30, First United campers are planning a fun-filled weekend at Kohler Andrae’s Group Camp! You can enjoy a walk along the beach, campfires together, great food and great friends! Space is limited, so reserve your spot early! (Children must be accompanied by adults!) There will be more details as we approach this date. Questions? See Thom Nicla!
Broadway Dinner Theatre The VILs are traveling to Wisconsin Dells on December 1 for a holiday celebration in the style of a New York City Christmas Spectacular, with singing elves, dancing toys, and Santa, as well as a live nativity scene featuring camels, sheep and donkeys. Leaving at 8:30 a.m. from our parking lot, we will arrive at the theatre around noon for a delicious meal, followed by the revue at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $59 per person, and includes the meal, transportation, and all gratuities. Call the church office to make your reservation!
The Wild West Th Vacation Bible School ’s theme is “Avalanche Ranch,” and in order to make it feel “western” we need your help to make our church look like the old west! If you have any items, such as cowboy hats, lariats, wagon wheels, horseshoes, tumbleweeds (well, you get our drift), etc. (NO guns please!), and would be willing to let us borrow them for the week of July 30-August 3, please contact Mary Gorges at 452-2401.
Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix The Youth & Children’s Ministry is offering a night at the movies this month. We will attend the showing of the new Harry Potter movie: The Order of the Phoenix, on Friday, July 13. Thom and Mary will be taking a group to this showing - exact time has yet to be determined. 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. Cost of movie tickets are $6.00 for kids under 12 years of age, and $8.00 for kids over 12 and adults. Questions? Please contact Mary Gorges in the church office.
Avalanche Ranch VBS Hey, Buckaroos! Are you ready for our summer VBS adventure? It will be a Wild Ride Through God’s World right here at First United! You’ll learn about God’s love, and enjoy hands-on Bible adventures, as well as daily video visits from Chadder Chipmunk! Parents, Avalanche Ranch is great fun for children of ALL ages! Even middle and high schoolers will enjoy signing on as Crew Leaders who will be helping the younger children. The cost is $15 per child, with a limit of $35 per family. There is also a CD available for purchase featuring all the wonderful music and songs from this week of fun! Cost is just $8.00. Registration and volunteer forms are available in the church office, and a sign-up sheet for adult and youth volunteers is located on the Youth & Family Board in the Gathering Area. Please invite your friends and neighbors! If you know of anyone outside the church who might be interested in coming, please contact the church office or Mary Gorges to get them registered! Dates to remember for VBS : Monday, July 9, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 26, 6:00 p.m.
Summer Story Hour The Children’s Ministry continues to offer “Story Hour” for kids ages 3-6 on Wednesday mornings. The Story Hour is held in the Great Beginnings Classroom at 9:30 a.m. , and lasts for one hour. The kids are read a story and then participate in a craft, finger songs, and free play. Registration is required! A sign-up sheet and registration forms are located in the church office and on the Youth & Family Board. Questions? Please contact Mary Gorges!
Children & Youth Ministry Wish List We are looking for a couple of adult-sized desks to use in our classrooms. And we are looking for a ping pong table and foosball table that are in good condition. For more information, or if you can help, contact Thom or Mary in the church office.
Preschool Notes Great Beginnings Preschool is still accepting enrollments for the 2007-08 school year. Appointments to see the class-room and meet our teaching staff can be made by contacting the church office. If you would like more information, please contact Mary Gorges at 452-2401.
Daily Devotions available now! Daily Devotion Booklets for July, August, and September are now available in the Gathering Area and the church library. *Special note on The Word in Season: August 5-18 meditations have been written by Pastor Alexander Jacobs, our own First United interim pastor. These booklets, The Word in Season, Christ in Our Home-LARGE PRINT, andDavy and Goliath, for families with young children, are offered free of charge and can be used for individual meditation or in a group setting. Pick up your copy today! ~Bonnie Doyle, Librarian
The Red Cross seeks a sponsor for Blood Drives The American Red Cross holds four Blood Drives each year in our fellowship hall. They are hoping to find someone from our church to serve as the sponsor of these four events. These drives are well-established with many regular volunteers that serve at each event. The Red Cross is hoping to find a leader to direct the volunteers and work with the Red Cross employees who will help facilitate each of the drives. If you are interested in finding out more about being a sponsor, please contact the church office and we will provide you with the email address and phone number of the Red Cross staff person.
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