Results of Special Congregation Meeting to Call a New Senior Pastor

With 144 voters present, 76.4% of the congregation members at the special meeting on Sunday, August 5 voted to call a new Senior Pastor. There was passionate dialogue prior to the vote and the realization of how important this decision is for the life of First United. The compensation package was approved by a 95% vote supporting it.

President Jonathan Bemis reminded those present that as we move forward it’s important for each of us and the new pastor to walk together in the transition. The entire call process has been prayerful and based on the objectives set forth by the Mission Exploration Team’s report. The transition time has been well managed by our dedicated interim Pastor Sandy Jacobs, an extraordinary staff, and the countless members who so freely give of their talents and resources. Moving forward with the leadership of a new senior pastor will encourage growth and greater participation.

The next step is for the synod to make the official “call” to the candidate and he has a month to respond.

Join the Prayer Group Thursday mornings!

You are invited to come to the Genszler Room every Thursday morning from 9:00-10:00 a.m. , to spend some time in prayer. Each week we read the Bible lessons for the up-coming Sunday, update our prayer list, and pray. We pray for all of the prayer requests we have received, for the church, and for world events and concerns. Join us in offering our concerns to God, trusting that God will hear and answer all of our prayers!

If you have a prayer request, please fill out a prayer request slip next to the white “prayer box” in the Gathering Area, and place it in the box. Please indicate how long you would like us to pray for your specific prayer request. Without a specific time frame, we will keep each request on our prayer list for one month. It is always helpful and encouraging to receive prayers of thanksgiving and “updates!” Simply indicate on a prayer request card the person’s name, and how God answered our prayers. Thank you!

Grief Support Group to meet August 28

Whether we like it or not, life is filled with constant change. Sometimes those changes mean saying goodbye to someone we love, or care deeply about. Day after day, God invites us to readjust our lives to a new world without this person who we have loved. How can we adapt? How can we continue to trust in God’s support, grace, and love in the midst of our grief?

If you are grieving the loss of someone you loved, come for a time of Grief Support on Tuesday, August 28. We will meet in the Genszler Room from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to talk, listen, and support each other as we learn together how to readjust to a “new world

Marina Ministry

Summer is coming to an end soon, but our Thursday evening Marina services will continue through August 30. These services are conducted by our Sheboygan area ELCA churches, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Deland Center on the Lakefront. Refreshments are served! On Thursday, August 30, all the churches will combine for the final evening of worship. Please check the kiosk and sign-up to help where you are able. Thank you!

Synod Sponsored Anti-Racism Training HERE in October!

First United will be hosting this training sponsored by the Lutheran Human Relations Association, called, “Building Bridges,” October 19-20. The event will be held from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19, and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20. Cost is $75, including materials, 2 light meals and snacks. Registration forms are on the kiosk. Contact Deaconess Deb if you have questions.

Tanzanian Rally Day

What: Tanzanian Rally Day!

When: Sunday, September 9!

Where: First United Lutheran Church

Why: Bwana Asifiwe! (To Praise the Lord!)

To Celebrate Tanzania !
To Celebrate the Maangashiny Parish!
To Celebrate Us!

How: Rally Day will begin with an African Worship service at 9:30 a.m , complete with an African liturgy, music, and liturgical dance. Rally Day festivities after worship will include African drumming & story telling, games, crafts, displays, and lunch with an authentic African flavor. Grace Mathias & her friend, Martha, Carthage students from Tanzania , will also be our guests! So mark your Calendars, and check the kiosk to see how you can help make this the best Rally Day ever!

Enjoy Making or Eating African Food?

In keeping with the theme of rally day this year we will enjoy an African meal. The main dish will be a chicken stew with rice and for the kids we’ll have hot dogs and buns. There will be other authentic African dishes to enhance the experience.

We are seeking fruit, salads, and desserts to be provided by members of the congregation. We are also looking for people to help prepare the meal one of the weekdays before the Sunday, September 9 event.

Please see the sheet on the kiosk in the gathering area to sign up for a food donation and/or to help prepare, serve, or clean-up the meal. If you have any questions, contact Sue Kieffer at 452-6563 or via email at adassociates@charter.net.

Small Group Ministry Team Forming for Older Youth and Adults

We need your inspiration...and participation! In discussion with Pastor Gail this spring an idea was born - the development of a small group ministry team. This multi-generational team would meet only periodically - four times a year or so - to determine congregational needs in the area of small group ministry. The group would meet and brainstorm ideas on how to meet that need. When a small group ministry offering was developed to meet that need, leaders for that group would be identified and the marketing of that group would begin. The concept is getting small groups up and running, then handing them off. In churches today, small group ministry is a fundamental part of a dynamic, vibrant and contemporary Christian community. Think high impact, low commitment! If you’d like to be a part of this “small group ministry think tank,” sign up on the kiosk in the gathering area or call the church office.

In Deepest Sympathy

We offer our Christian love to the family of Bev Lee at the death of her mother.

Good News Deadline

The deadline for the next issue of the Good News is Monday, August 27 for the issue that will reach homes by Wednesday, September5. Thank you!

Celebrating 10 years of partnership with Meru

We are celebrating 10 years of partnership with the Diocese of Meru. During this time, the congregations in the Greater Milwaukee Synod have:

• Purchased vehicles for pastors on Mt. Meru so they no longer need to walk to their parish
• Created a loan fund so pastors can send their children to school or meet other financial needs
• Started the Meru Coffee project - “Justice Never Tasted So Good”
• Funded a medical scholarship so that the diocese could train a new doctor for their hospital - Dr. Julius Bartho Mollel
• Completed medical facilities
• Helped build and sent funds for the Ailanga Junior Seminary
• Funded school scholarships
• Funded the education of three Carthage College graduates and a current student
• Funded well and water harvesting projects and emergency food needs
• Initiated and funded the two year South to North Missionary Program - Pastor Elias Kitoi Nasari
• Established 20 congregation to parish partnerships
• Sent delegations to Tanzania to support the partnership of the Companion Synod Program and funded and hosted delegations from Meru

On September 30 there will be a synodwide day of prayer for this partnership, culminating in the afternoon with a meal, entertainment and a silent auction to support this ministry. This celebration starts at 3 p.m. at Holy Cross Church , Menomonee Falls . Up to 10 visitors from the Meru Diocese will be with us depending on their ability to obtain visas.

Reservations are needed so that the meal can be planned. Please contact John McGroary at 262-966-9805 by September 14.

Sunday School Teachers, Guardian Angels, Confirmation Guides & Mentors needed this Fall!

The success of our wonderful children and youth programming begins with our dedicated group of volunteer adults. Please consider joining this group of adults as a Sunday School Teacher, Guardian Angel, Confirmation Guide or Confirmation Mentor. For more details on how you can share your faith with our children and youth, please see Thom or Mary in the church office. Blessings are guaranteed!

Food Donations are appreciated!

Our food barrel has been very active lately - lots of needy families need help with food items throughout the year and summertime is no exception. Please bring your non-perishable donations to the food barrel located at the triple door entrance to our Gathering Area! Thank you for your help!

Education and Training

On Monday, August 27, at 6:00 p.m., and Wednesday, August 29, at 7:00 p.m. , the Children & Youth Ministries of FULC will offer a workshop for new and returning teachers, Guardian Angels, and guides. During these sessions we will offer our theology, resources for creativity in the classroom, managing personal classroom preparation, and discipline in the learning environment. You only need to attend one of these sessions. So, please mark these dates on your calendar for these informative sessions. If you have questions pertaining to this workshop, please contact Mary Gorges or Thom Nicla at 452-2401.

Parents Meeting
Sunday School Orientation

A Sunday School Orientation Meeting will be held for parents on Wednesday, September 5, at 6:00 p.m. We will be discussing the Sunday School program and upcoming events for the children and youth of our congregation. It is also an opportunity to turn in your child’s registration information which we need to update yearly. This is an important meeting! So please mark your calendar! Questions? Contact Mary Gorges!

Tables of Eight

Would you like to get to know more of the members of First United as well as enjoy a delicious meal of “home cooked Lutheran foods?” Well, maybe the foods won’t be Lutheran, but the fellowship will be warm and comfortable and welcoming.

Tables of Eight is back! And all First United couples AND INDIVIDUALS are invited to join. Groups of 7, 8, or 9 participants will meet in members’ homes four times during the year for a meal and some pleasant conversation. One time you will host and provide the main dish, and the other three times you will go to someone else’s home and bring a side dish, salad and rolls, or dessert. Each time you will meet with different FULC members (hopefully). The meal need not be a formal dinner served in a dining room, but can be a casual meal served in your kitchen, or a picnic in your back yard. The choice, as well as the specific date, is yours when you are the host.

If you are interested in joining this group, please call Juli Leet at 564-3530, or email her at rjl@bytehead.com to get on the mailing list. If you signed up for Tables of Eight on this year’s Time & Talent form, you’re already on the list. We really hope you’ll join us!