Month: January 2023

February 2023 Rundown

Cheri Simonet
Monthly Rundown

Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Pastor Katie and Joel Morien were thrilled to attend the annual conference of the Association of Partners in Christian Education in late January, held in Birmingham Alabama. They appreciated plenary sessions with speaker John Pavlovitz whose most recent book is If God is Love, Don’t Be a Jerk, worship with local gospel choirs and nationally-known preachers, and a multitude of workshops. It was also an opportunity to network with others in ministry as the event drew more than 500 participants from around the country.

2nd Annual Burns Night—an Evening in the Highlands

Thanks to everyone involved in last Saturday’s second annual Burns Night Benefit Dinner: An Evening in the Highlands! More than 100 people gathered at the Green Bay Distillery to raise funds to help Hurricane Ian victims and to enjoy an wonderful evening. An optional Scotch tasting session was followed by a hearty feast of Whiskey Glazed Salmon or Whiskey Glazed Pork Loin with lots of extras. We also enjoyed amazing entertainment and activities including the Clan Donald Pipe Band, the Irish Heritage Dancers, sword dancing, Address to the Haggis, and more! It was a great evening, but don’t you think it’s a little cold for kilts?

  • Burns Dinner 2023
  • Burns Dinner 2023

Annual Ski Trip

This year’s ski trip was a fabulous time! We were fortunate to have our friends from First United along for the fun. The weather was perfect for a day on the slopes and the day was filled with fellowship and fun. And, this year everyone was off the bunny hill by 10:30 check-in!

Happy 100th Birthday to Theda Nero!

Wishing you a blessed day on your birthday and all the days ahead in your 100th year!

Theda Nero 100th Birthday
Stephanie Fahringer and Donna Jansen join Theda Nero for her 100th Birthday Celebration

Online Church Directory Debuts February 5, 2023

Cheri Simonet
Instant Church Directory

Dear Members,

Our church directory is available to view on your computer! Instant Church Directory – the program we use to build our church directory – has a member website. We’ll debut the mobile app during Fellowship Hour on February 5th when our app directory team will help with downloading the app and setting up your account. But you don’t need to wait till then!

To set up your account on the desktop go to https://members.instantchurchdirectory.com/

You can also set up your account on the mobile app. To download the app to your Apple device, click here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instant-church-directory/id589542221?ls=1&mt=8

To download the app to your Android device, click here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instantchurchdirectory.members

Whether on the desktop or your mobile device, you will be asked to enter your email address as it’s listed in our directory. If your email address isn’t listed in the directory, let Leah know so it can be added at office@firstpresgreenbay.org. Once you enter your email address, follow the directions on-screen to complete the create log-in process. After you sign in, you’ll see the most up-to-date directory for our church. Any time updates are made, they will show on the Online Members’ Website, too.

For more information about the members’ website, go to: https://help.instantchurchdirectory.com/article/638-navigating-the-online-member-directory

We hope you’re as excited about our online directory as we are! Once you have access to your own information, you’ll be able to make any updates yourself, including changing the image for your listing.

If you need assistance with anything, please contact Cheri at communications@firstpresgreenbay.org or call her at the office (920) 437-8121.

Login today!

Annual 2023 Congregational Meeting

Cheri Simonet
Annual Congregational Meeting

February 12, 2023

Sunday, February 12th is an important day in the life of our congregation as we hold our Annual Congregational Meeting to review 2022 and look forward to plans and dreams for 2023.

The Annual Report, will be available in print and digitally by February 5, and will include reports of committees, statistics, and financials including the approved budget for 2023.

As a congregation we will vote on changes in the terms of call for our Pastor. The Session will also propose changes to the Church By-Laws to bring that document up to date. The meeting will take place immediately following the 10:00 am worship service in the Sanctuary, and all members are encouraged to attend.

Please note that while our worship service will be livestreamed as usual, we apologize that we cannot livestream the Annual Meeting due to the confidentiality of certain portions of the meeting. If you cannot be with us in person, feel free to contact any member of the Session with any questions or concerns you may have. Session contact information can be found in our Online Church Directory on the desktop or through the mobile app under the Group Category.

Souper Bowl of Caring – February 12, 2023

Cheri Simonet
Souper Bowl of Caring

Thanks to Covid, our Souper Bowl of Caring has taken a hiatus since 2020 but we have our grand return planned for Sunday February 12, 2023 following the Annual Congregational Meeting.

The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national movement. Since 1990, over $175 million has been reported donated to local food charities across all fifty states with over 305,000 unique groups participating. The organizers unite all communities to Tackle Hunger.

Our #FirstPresGB Souper Bowl of Caring is led by the Christian Education Committee along with Youth Group and is held annually on Super Bowl Sunday. The event is meant to bring an awareness to hunger and to curb hunger through soup. Proceeds will benefit the Presbyterian Pantry.

The cost will be $5/person and there will eight soups for people to experience. Each soup sampler will have a chance to vote and judge our Souper Bowl winner.

We invite each person to bring a muffin tin to hold the soup samples. (One muffin tin per person.) You will be required to try all the soups but you can only vote for one. The Souper Bowl awardee will receive the cherished Golden Ladle that’s passed on year over year to the awarded winner.

There’s no need to sign up—ALL are welcome—we hope to see you there!

Gestures of Generosity, February 2023

Cheri Simonet
Gestures of Generosity

Thank you for your Gesture!

On Sunday, January 22, the Generosity Team explained and answered questions relating to per capita. We answered the reason to check that box on your pledge card, committing to pay $38.00 for each adult member of your household this year. We reviewed why we ask for that above and beyond your regular pledge and what these contributions were going toward.

However, not everyone pays toward per capita. If you weren’t able to join us for worship on the 22nd, you may not understand per capita. Unfortunately, not everyone chooses to participate in this special offering that offsets our “bill” from the denomination that funds our connectional church. But one household among us made a wonderful Gesture of Generosity and recently gave a special gift of $1000 to help cover unpaid per capita. The gift is truly appreciated. Thanks be to God for this Gesture of Generosity!

If you have a Gestures of Generosity story to share, please contact Cheri at communications@firstpresgreenbay.org.

January 9, 2023 – Name that Member BIG REVEAL!

Cheri Simonet
Name that Member

Earlier this week we featured our Monday Member Spotlight Name that Member through email and on our social media and now it’s time for the BIG REVEAL! In case you missed it, here’s our Member’s story:

  • I was born and raised in Eastern South Dakota, North of Sioux Falls.
  • I spent a lot of vacation time in the Black Hills, which is my favorite place to be in the world.
  • My freshman year in football, I was so bad that my coach told me I should try cross country next season! He made the right call. I still run today.
  • I joined choir and theater in high school to get past my fear of being in front of people!
  • I have 3 brothers, 2 older and one younger.
  • I am divorced, I have four children, one daughter in law, and one grand daughter who oozes cuteness! Three of my children were baptized in this church.
  • I love exploring! I spent two summers in Egypt when I was young, and that was huge. I love going to new places, learning new cultures, and seeing new things.
  • I’m also a huge football fan, and people around here don’t appreciate my point of view!
  • What I love most about being a member of the church is that there are so many good people in this church! I love the way it serves the community and its people. Also most of my best mentors came from this church! It is a pleasure to take an active role in its service!
  • I have been a member of First Presbyterian for over 30 years!
  • My favorite place to be is Iron Creek Lake in the Northern Black Hills. It is God’s gift, it is so beautiful there. There is a mountain at the end of the lake where the view is so amazing, and when the wind blows, there is a sound the pine needles make, a whisper, it is just beautiful!
  • What I’m most passionate about is simple really. I just want to make a difference.
  • I say thank you about one hundred times a day, and laugh when God puts an obstacle in my way because I know he’s just trying to slow me down!

Who am I?

Do you give up?

I’m David Young!

Did you know all that about David?

Tell us your story! Complete our Name that Member Form or email csimonet@firstpresgreenbay.org so you can be featured in an upcoming Monday Member Spotlight of Name that Member!