St. Paul’s United Church of Christ
Rev. RaeAnn Beebe 1250 Leonard Point Rd. Oshkosh, WI 54904
920-231-3080
[email protected]
www.stpaulsoshkosh.com
February 2015 Tidings
“Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt…”
(Matthew 2:14)
I know we are heading to Lent, but one story from the Christmas season is still floating around in my head.
It is a part of the story that we rarely focus on. Often it is told the Sunday after Christmas when attendance is
low after all of the celebrations of Christmas. Many of you may not even be familiar with this story. It is the
story of Mary and Joseph taking Jesus and leaving their home to go to Egypt. After the Magi visited, Joseph
was warned in a dream that Herod was looking for Jesus to destroy him. So in the middle of the night, Joseph
gathers his family, what belongings they can carry, and sneaks out of Bethlehem. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus
become refugees. Forced to leave their homeland in order to survive.
About 15 million people in the world today are refugees according to Church World Service. That is a
huge number of people forced to leave their homes. Many are waiting in refugee camps for permanent
placement elsewhere. The conditions are cramped and crowded. Some have been
placed in other counties where they are learning to adjust to a culture very different
from their own.
On January 7, Joseph Kabamba shared his story at The Path. Joseph is a refugee
from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was settled here in Oshkosh in Spring of
2013. His story is tragic. Political unrest is the norm in the Democratic Republic of Congo. When Joseph was
18, many of the village people were unhappy with the government and wanted to fight against it. They sought
to enlist the young men of the villages to fight with them. They approached Joseph’s father about his three
sons joining the fight. His father refused. Because of this and the fact that the family had money (Joseph’s
father was a doctor and his mother a teacher), the rebels believed that Joseph’s father was working with the
government. They came back and beat his father up, raped his mother and sisters, and Joseph was taken to
prison. He spent a long period of time in jail where he was forced to work and was never sure if he would live
through the day. Eventually, a guard who knew him from his church (Joseph is Jehovah’s Witness) helped him
escape the jail and helped him get to Tanzania. It was while he was there that he found out his family had all
been killed and their home destroyed. Joseph had registered with a relief agency and after he realized he
could never go home, he was sent to the United States. Joseph had no choice in where he would live. He was
told he was going to Oshkosh, WI. He knows he will never be able to return to the Democratic Republic of
Congo, but that it will always be home and that saddens him.
Joseph has been assisted here in Oshkosh by World Relief. World Relief assists in finding housing,
employment, school registrations, and setting up necessary appointments. They work with a family for about
1
three months. But so much more is needed for the refugees who come to Oshkosh to really settle in.
Volunteers are needed for transportation, assistance with shopping (our stores are filled with many choices
and that can be overwhelming), learning the culture, and being a friend. Several churches in our area assist
families in this way.
Joseph’s story touched me and I think it touched those who heard him speak as well. When we
encounter those who are refugees in our community, may we remember that Jesus was once a refugee and
treat them as we would treat Jesus.
Blessings,
Pastor RaeAnn
Biblical Texts for Personal Devotions and Reflection
based on the Narrative Lectionary (Sundays and Wednesdays)
Feb
Feb
Feb
Feb
Feb
1/4:
8/11:
15:
18:
22/25:
Matthew
Matthew
Matthew
Matthew
Matthew
6:7-21; Psalm 20:7
14:13-33; Psalm 95:1-5
16:24-17:18; Psalm 41:7-10
18:1-9: Psalm 146:7c-10 (51:1-3)
18:15-35; Psalm 32:1-2
Treasure in Heaven
Feeding 5,000
Bearing the Cross
Who is the Greatest?
Forgiveness
“The Path”
For a year now, St. Paul’s UCC has been offering an additional worship service on Wednesday evenings.
While we treasure the time spent together worshipping God on Sunday mornings, we know this doesn’t
always work into people’s schedules. A group of 15-20 people have been gathering for food, fellowship,
fun, and faith formation. The Path is an intergenerational experience. We would
love to have you join us. There is always room for more worshippers. Hope to
see you sometime soon.
Wednesday Evenings
6:00 pm Simple Meal (free will offering taken to defray cost of the meal)
6:30 pm Worship Experience (intergenerational and interactive)
Join us for an evening of food, fellowship, fun, and faith formation.
Attention Knitters and Crocheters
The Oshkosh Correctional Institution has a knitting program which is a community service
project that produces knitted items for the area needy. This program is an important part of
Oshkosh Correctional Institution’s special needs unit and is consistent with meeting the needs
of providing meaningful work and an opportunity for inmates to give back to the community. The
program is in need of yarn to continue. If you have any yarn that you would like to donate,
please bring it to church and we will see that it gets to the Oshkosh Correctional Institution.
2
Pilgrims of Ibillin
Some of you were in attendance when Rev. John Hobbins spoke on his trip to Israel with
the Pilgrims of Ibillin. A group of high school age students from Israel along with chaperones
will be visiting Oshkosh July 7-10, 2015. Homes are needed for these students to stay while
they are here. Details are still being worked out for their stay here in Oshkosh.
What a wonderful opportunity to get to know someone from another culture and share
our culture with them. Housing needs to be secured as quickly as possible so the students can
get their paperwork in order. If you might be interested in hosting one or two students while
they are here, please let Pastor RaeAnn know. As more details are available, I will be sure and
share them with all of you.
P.S. Rev. Hobbins and myself may be planning a trip with Pilgrims of Ibillin to Israel in Fall
of 2016!
The month of February finds us exploring a unit called “Called by God” and it has some interesting
points to discuss. When we began the unit, we had to
understand we often do not recognize God’s call. We
do not know that the nudge or voice we hear in the
back of our head is that of God. For children that is
often difficult. We started by recognizing our qualities
we have. We are going to see how we can develop
them and use them. We continue on with exploring those people who have touched our lives and the
help they have given. The importance of prayer will be discussed. These are some challenging topics
to discuss but important ones for living our life.
We continue to think of others as we ask for donations for our food pantry. Buying soup or chili from
the sale helps the Warming Shelter. And who can forget it is cookie time for the Girl Scouts. Buying
from them helps the troop plus the individual who sells gains confidence from the selling experience. I
am sure there are other opportunities out in the community to help others. By doing so it gives you a
“warm and fuzzy” feeling.
As February goes by, be listening for the call of God. Reach out to others, do a good deed, use your
qualities to their best, and remember to pray!
Blessings, Sherri Landig
T
- Our thanks and appreciation go out to Brian Harrah for his
years of service with the Praise Band at St. Paul’s. He is moving away
and all of us will miss him. Good Luck, Brian.
hank yous
Thanks also to Irv Tesch who is retiring from the choir after 69
faithful years! We’ll miss you, Irv!
Thanks to Julie Cameron for a gift of miscellaneous office supplies.
appreciate and can always use your gift.
We
3
Thanks to Sherri Landig, Deb Wriedt, the Reepsdorfs and the Trampfs for
taking down and storing all of the Christmas decorations and the tree.
PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR PRAYERS:
Those who are homebound or in care centers: Jeanette Cummings, Don Kieckhafer, June
Otto, Muriel Carrillo, Betty Gabbert, Eileen Redemann, Betty Bettin
Those who have been hospitalized recently or are under ongoing medical care: Marion
Abraham, Melissa (Krause) Hawley, Eileen Steiner, Jean Fuller, Sharon Rudy, Liz Joachim
Haitian Student sponsored by St. Paul’s: Corriolant Yves
St. Paul’s friends and family: Dan Tesch, Neil Starke, Mary Jaynes’ sister Sue, Steve Jones, Mike Juedes’
sister Judy and niece Katelyn, Rod Robien’s Dad
We mourn with Rod and Michelle Robien on the death of his mother, Marjorie and also with Chi Whitemarsh
and Ken Jungwirth on the recent death of his sister.
Reminder: Please continue to bring your used computer ink cartridges to the basket in the Narthex.
Money earned from these helps our office budget.
February will be a light month for missions. The only planned activity will be the ‘Chili for the
Chilly’ sale on Feb. 1st (Superbowl Sunday). The Gassere family and friends will be taking orders
and selling soups to benefit the Day by Day Warming Shelter. You can get a delicious, hearty
meal while supporting the homeless people in our community. Enjoy!
I am also still looking for someone to head the fleece pillow making
project day. If the event that no one will take on the event, I would
also like to know if anyone knows of an organization (another church
group, Girl Scout Troop, etc.) who might be able to use some of our supplies for their own pillow
project. Please contact me if you have suggestions. Thank you.
Barb Loomans
SHELDON, HIEDI & GARY #6 02/21
4
JOHANNES, BRAD
WHITEMARSH, CHI
BAHR, AGNES
TRETOW, HARLEY
RADIG, CONNIE
BOERNER, RYAN
SCHAFER, ALYSSA
SCHAFER, CAITLYN
TOKOPH, REV. BRIAN
02/01
02/01
02/02
02/04
02/07
02/08
02/10
02/10
02/13
CIRRICIONE, NICK
SCHNEIDER, JEFF
BORGMANN, RYAN
JOACHIM, EMILY
LOOMANS, BRUCE
JOACHIM, SAMUEL
BOSS, BEN
TESCH, HERBERT
02/18
02/18
02/20
02/21
02/24
02/25
02/26
02/26
Thank you to all those who are sending cards, emails, etc while I am
working from home for awhile during my recuperation. A special thanks to
Lynn Rollmann for doing miscellaneous tasks for me in the office, to my
husband Bill who patiently transports materials back and forth from the
office to my home, Pastor RaeAnn for her visits, understanding and
willingness to work with me through email a great deal and to Bobbi Reepsdorf who
came through and provided me with a lap top computer while I was in rehab!
Feel free to continue emailing me, etc with any issues that I will try to solve
for you or find someone who can: [email protected].
Liz Joachim
There is still time
TO WIN A $25 WALMART
GIFT CARD!
ALL SCRIP ordered or purchased at church from Monday January 5th
through Sunday, February 1 are eligible.
Every $25 spent = 1 entry in the contest
(Ex: $50 = 2 entries, $100 = 4 entries
Place an order or pick up some cards from church and you just might win.
Contest drawing will be held on Sunday, Feb. 8 at church.
NEXT SCRIP order due Sunday, Feb. 1
5
CHILI FOR THE CHILLY
Once again we will be making and selling chili and chicken
noodle soup for Super Bowl Sunday, February 1, 2015! This is
a delicious way to support the Day By Day Warming Shelter,
the homeless shelter, here in Oshkosh. A quart of soup can be
purchased for $7. Please place your order at church
Wednesday night or Sunday morning. Soup will be ready for
pick-up at church on Sunday, the 1st.
If you are not interested in soup, consider supporting this worthy charity with a
donation. This is the one time of the year that St. Paul's supports this critical
mission here in Oshkosh. We'd love to send them a huge check!
You may also order by calling the Gassere's at 231-5579. Special arrangements
can be made for home delivery!
2015 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES 1-18-2015
Meeting called to order by Anne Gassere at 10:30 am.
Pastor RaeAnn opened the meeting with prayer.
2014 Secretary Minutes approval
Is this on website? No
Motion: Mary Jaynes moved and Ruth Hauser seconded to accept the secretary’s minutes for
2014 as distributed. Motion Carried
Review / approval of Written & Sustaining Fund Reports
Motion: Shirley Tretow moved and Dennis Krause seconded to accept the written reports &
Sustaining Fund reports for 2014 as distributed. Motion Carried
Review / approval of Financial Reports
Motion: Dorthy Hable moved and Curt Bahr seconded to accept the financial reports as
distributed. Motion Carried
Review / approval of 2015 budget.
Discussion: A member suggested that we announce problems with funding during the year and
ask for donations at that time.
6
Motion: Harley Tretow moved and Dennis Krause seconded to accept the 2015 budget.
Motion Carried
President’s Report/Comments
2015 Council Introduction
Council expiration terms:
Term Expires 2015
Term Expires 2016
Ellen Becker
Mary Jaynes
Lyle Rudy
Mike Juedes
Bob Trampf
Jack Meyer
Minister’s Report/Comments
Slide show: A Year in Review at St Paul’s Blessed to Be a Blessing
People in mission
Advent celebration
Back Bay mission
Sharing the journey of
Habitat for humanity
faith
Jesus said feed the hungry
Faith formation
Crop walk
Confirmation
Fill the cart
Worship keeps us
We are the body of Christ
connected to God
Intergenerational events
and each other
Rally Day hayride
Sunday morning
Cinco de Mayo
The Path
Term Expires 2017
John Hauser
Chris Reichard
Anne Gassere
Summer fun with God
Hosted the Lakeland
College Choir
Comments from members:
Shirley Tretow - This is an impressive congregation and we are honored to be part of it.
Jacob - I feel the same way. Since I started coming, I feel so welcome
Now we need to spread the word
General Business
Meeting ended with Lord’s Prayer at 11:00 am
Bobbi Reepsdorf, Acting Secretary
Hey Milwaukee Bucks Fans!
The Bucks are hosting a Faith & Family Night on Friday, Feb 20. Tip
off is at 7:30 pm and there is a post-game concert featuring
Brandon Heath and Nicole Nordeman. Tickets will be discounted that
night for faith groups who order them together. Anyone want to go? Let
Pastor RaeAnn know and if we have enough (need 10) we will send in for
the tickets. There is a flyer on the Community Bulletin Board in the Narthex.
7
Altar flowers on January 11, 2015 honored Dorothy Hable given by
Carol Repp.
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 $28 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 $28. (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 _______________
(Preferred date)
I would like to provide flowers: (check one)
____ In memory of ___________________________
OR
____ In honor of _____________________________
Given by __________________________________________________________
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