Tower Notes –February 2014 Living Out Our Faith Through Mission, Worship, and Discipleship for 168 years. First Congregational United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Church 54 South Jackson Street, Janesville, Wisconsin 53548 Telephone: (608) 752-8716 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.janesvilleucc.org Like us on Facebook: First Congregational Church, UCC Janesville Important Dates Next Tower Notes: Articles due ~ Feb 24th Mail/email ~ Feb 27th What’s Inside President’s Message.….pg 1-2 Worship………….……pg 2 Thank You(s).................pg 3 Discipleship Page……..pg 4 ECHO……………....…pg 4 Christian Education…...pg 5 Consistory Notes....…...pg 6 President’s Message Thank you to everyone for joining us in worship on January 12th as we said our “good byes” to Pastor Wes and his family. His service with our church has now ended and his service with Sarasota now begins! Consistory met two days later on January 14th. Following the suggestion from Association Pastor Rev. Kent Ulery, the Interim Search committee is the current Consistory. We did need to clarify that it is the current Consistory, as there will be a change of members following the Annual meeting on February 2nd, 2014. On Saturday, January 25, 2014 the Interim Search committee met to make decisions. We are working on the process to narrow the field. This is also a process that requires some confidentiality, so we ask that you continue to place your trust and prayers in our decisions. We openly will share information when appropriate. We also continue to be in contact with Pastor Kent as we work through this process. Remember that we need to be prayerful, persistent, patient, and … playful! Our 168th Annual Meeting will follow the church service on February 2nd, 2014. Please contact Becky in the office if you would like a copy of the annual report. We express our most sincere thanks to David Bagley as he steps down from the role of Treasurer. David has spent countless hours watching over our finances. We are incredibly grateful. Special thanks to Becky as she is doing so much to ensure we are running seamlessly until we have an Interim Pastor in place. We also thank Bill Weiss for filling our spiritual needs on a weekly basis. Page | 1 The cover of our Annual Report could not be more appropriate … We are the church together! Serving beside you in body, mind, and spirit, Gee Gee Jannene President Worship in February 2014 February 2, 2014: Theme: Liturgist: Fellowship: Annual church meeting and Communion Patty Piek-Groth none February 9, 2014: Theme: Liturgist: Fellowship: Camp Sunday Patty Henrichs Christian Education February 16, 2014: Theme: Liturgist: Fellowship: Pat Scott February 23, 2014: Theme: Liturgist: Fellowship: Hopkins Baptism Jeremy Bleiler Thank you to our Ushers in February: Warren Myers, Dave & Jean Schollmeier, Ruth Robinson Adult Fellowship Evening The next Adult Fellowship party is Friday, February 14 at 6:00. The potluck will be in the Upper Chapel. Wear red, bring red food (or least put it in a red container!) and chocolate. Any questions, see Gary or Karen Teubert. Page | 2 February BIRTHDAYS, Happy Day to All! 1 Joann Rost 2 Gale Rundle 2 Erin Stalker 4 Ted Bidwell 4 9 16 22 Andrea McCabe Olivia Swenson Willa Bagley Julie Budrow 25 26 26 27 28 Kayla Hartung Diane Henrichs Jean Schollmeier Katherine Bagley Josh Grossen February ANNIVERSARIES, Congratulations: 3 Charlie & Evie Wanninger 20 Richard & Joan Benner ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Dear Friends, A heartfelt thank you for the wonderful conclusion to our ministry last Sunday. I so appreciate the gift of the New Interpreters Bible Commentary. It is a perfect gift and I will think of you each Sunday as I read this resource to prepare my sermons. Thank you to all those who helped make the celebration so meaningful. You are a special congregation and will always hold a place in my heart. Thank you for the countless hugs and well wishes as we embark on the next chapter of our ministry. I will continue to hold you in prayer as you move into this time of transition. Thank you to the staff, it was a privilege to work with you every day. And thank you to Gee Gee for all her tireless effort over the last month in making preparations for this transition. Thank you also to the Sunday School children who made t-shirts for Ethan and Olivia and a beautiful coffee mug with pictures of baptisms and Story for All Ages. A few folks asked me about contact information. My email will remain the same: [email protected] Or for those who like handwritten communication the best address right now is the church: First Congregational UCC 1031 S. Euclid Ave. Sarasota, FL 34237 May God's love and strength surround you always. With great hope, Wes, Gina, Ethan, and Olivia Dear Children of First Congregational UCC Janesville, Thank you so much for the wonderful card you signed and for the coffee mug with photos of all the great times at 1st Cong. I will miss each of you and our story time on Sunday. Thank you for the t-shirts for Ethan and Olivia. It was a joy to know each of you and, remember, you always have a friend in Florida. God's blessings, Pastor Wes, Gina, Ethan, and Olivia Page | 3 ECHO As we are fed at Christ’s table we go out to feed others. Below are some suggestions for how you can help fill a grocery bag. ECHO February Needs Spaghetti sauce Spaghetti O’s Mac’n Cheese Canned meats Soup & crackers Peanut butter & jelly Pork’n beans Tuna Toothpaste Toothbrushes Toilet paper Deodorant Shampoo Laundry soap (dry) Diapers (4-6) Life is an echo, what you send out, you get back! The next meal on Sat. Feb. 1 will have a menu of ham slices , mashed potatoes with gravy, fresh mixed vegetables, dinner rolls, fruit, coffee cakes with frozen yogurt or ice cream, coffee, and crystal light fruit punch. The attendance at the community meals varies from 40 to 60 with last month of 40. We continue to advertise in the food event column in the Gazette for that weekend and in the Messenger for the Sunday before the Saturday meal. There is no cost for those ads. Our community meal fund balance is over $2000, and this month we are going to purchase ham slices from Best Events or Woodmans. It will be cooked and thick sliced. I will let you know the ham price next month. Thank you to all who continue to volunteer and make financial contributions. The community meal was one of Wes' priorities. Jim Hay First Congregational United Church of Christ is blessed with scholarship funds for members of our congregation who are pursuing higher education. Active membership in First Congregational UCC is a common requirement for all scholarships. Scholarship application forms are available on the church website www.janesvilleucc.org or from the church office. Applications and supporting information is due to the church office by March 23, 2014. Please contact Becky Kingsbury in the church office at (608) 752-8716 or email her at [email protected] with your questions. A reminder that our church is scheduled to help with the Wilson School Breakfast Program the week of February 24 – 28. Any questions or to volunteer, please contact Dave Schollmeier at [email protected] or 754-4878. Page | 4 Sunday School and Youth Group News Camp Sunday- Feb. 9th Please join us during worship on February 9th to hear about some of the exciting opportunities awaiting you at our wonderful local UCC Church camps at Pilgrim Center on Green Lake and Moon Beach in St. Germain. There are camps for all ages and interests to explore faith and fun surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation. Visit ucci.org for the 2014 camp schedule and registration information. There are camp scholarship opportunities available through our church and the UCCI Board. Please contact Jamie Dieckhoff at [email protected] or 752-8716 x206 for more information. Congrats to all who have completed the Ten Commandments Challenge so far: Carter Dieckhoff, Claire Dieckhoff, Jayden Murwin, Jazlyn Murwin, and Joey Swenson. It’s not too late for all PK-8th grade students to earn their pins. Just see Jamie Dieckhoff once you have memorized your goal number of commandments (any translation): PK=2, K=3, 1st-2nd=4, 3rd-5th=6, 6th-8th=10 February 2nd SPARK: Woman at the Well Annual Meeting following worship February 9th Camp Sunday during worship SPARK: A Storm February 16th SPARK: The Centurion’s Servant February 23rd SPARK: Jesus Blesses the Children We have some really exciting events scheduled for the upcoming months: On Sunday, Feb. 9th, we will have a special Culver’s outing at 1:30 p.m. where we can share a treat and some fellowship. Mark your calendars now for the 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off Youth Group fundraiser planned for March 2nd. We welcome all chili entries, and all are invited to eat and vote. Who will walk away with this year’s honor? It’s almost Youth Lounge Makeover time! On March 23rd and 30th the Youth Group will gather to update the Youth Lounge. All are invited to visit to witness this transformation. Page | 5 Consistory Highlights: January 14, 2014 – 7PM Bill Weiss attended the meeting and shared information about the duties he will help with while serving as the pulpit supply pastor until an interim pastor is selected. Discussed and agreed to additional duties Becky Kingsbury and Monica Stanley will be responsible for during this transition period. David Bagley planned to meet with Monica and Finance Ministry members to finalize the budget prior to the listening session on Jan. 19 th. Consistory agreed that the interim pastor selection committee would be the current Consistory members and developed a plan for the next steps in that process. Finance will move forward with the computer networking project as part of the capital campaign. Mark your calendars for the next Meals on Wheels: February 24 – 28 and March 3 – 7. For information about helping out, contact Nancy Stabb at 563-1411. *************************************************************** ***** This is a thank you note from Darlene Becker for the card and gift card. Dear Friends, What a wonderful surprise when I received your card. My sincere thank you for the gift card. I enjoyed my many years of doing the payroll. Thanks again for your thoughtfulness. Sincerely, Darlene *************************************************************** ***** Library Views and Reviews TELLING THE TRUTH: THE GOSPEL AS TRAGEDY, COMEDY, AND FAIRY TALE by Frederick Buechner (230 Bue) One of our more intriguing recent donations, this book explores both universal storylines and human experiences, related to the Gospel. Early on, Buechner reminds us that the good News of the Resurrection follows the bad news of the crucifixion. Discussing tragedy, he refers to the story of King Lear, who went through storm, battle, and the death of his one faithful daughter before finding peace just before his death. He becomes truly human after a life of foolish mistakes and suffering. Comedy, of course, Buechner defines in the classical sense, as joy after a crisis. The fairy tale analogy is characterized by the plight of a hero who must undergo great challenges successfully to win the prize, and live happily ever after. Alas, if life were so simple!! The Library of Congress catalogues this book under “Preaching”. However, since it is such a readable and entertaining treatment of this theology, I have given it the “230” Dewey category. Come in to the library and see the new acquisitions, many of which are on the display shelves facing the office. Mary Hunt Church Librarian Page | 6 G.I.F.T.S. opportunities This winter we will have two nights to serve the homeless men in the "God Is Faithful Temporary Shelter" with a good warm supper, night supervision, and breakfast at the Janesville Wesleyan Church (967 Benton Ave). The dates are Friday, February 28 and Wednesday, March 19. Faith Lutheran and the Wesleyans will cover the other nights in those two weeks. Sign-up sheets will be available soon. Watch for more information in church announcements and the bulletin as the dates draw near, and/or contact me at 754-0337 or [email protected]. Last week we got a thank you letter from GIFTS, signed by Stephanie Burton, Exec Director. It thanks us for donating $264.02 that shows our wonderful expression of caring and compassion. Diane Henrichs Four times a year we receive These Days Daily Devotions for Living by Faith. They are placed on the counter in the Fireside Room and disappear quickly. Parish Care is wondering if the 15 copies we receive are enough, or if more members would like a copy. If you would like to reserve your copy, please let Becky Kingsbury or Pat Scott know. A $5.00 contribution would be appreciated, but not at all necessary. The next copy will be available in mid-March. Page | 7