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

Synod School 2023 Informational Meeting

Cheri Simonet
Synod of Lakes & Prairies logo

February 5, 2023

The Synod of Lakes & Prairies Synod School 2023 is scheduled for July 23-28, 2023. This 69th Synod School is sure to be a great event! Details for School are well underway, and registration doesn’t begin until April, but we’d like to give everyone an introduction to what you can expect during this great event.

Please join us on Sunday, February 5th following Fellowship Hour when we’ll meet to discuss some of the details from past years and what to plan for 2023.

Synod School is a learning and personal enrichment experience for people of all ages that seeks to create an environment of hospitality, healing, and hope. The week is designed for laity and clergy, and individuals and families with classes and activities for adults, youth, and children.

Come…
— To participate in a unique experience of Christian community as we worship, study, play, and live together;
— To grow in faith through action, relationships, and a centering of the spirit;
— For continuing education, for a special family experience, or for individual growth;
— To take it all in, then return home to share and serve.

For more information or questions, please contact Pastor Katie at kestes@firstpresgreenbay.org or CE Director, Joel Morien, at ce@firstpresgreenbay.org.

And, check out our Youth video from 2022 Synod School when the theme was Experiencing Belonging – 

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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!

Church Chix Gather February 2, 2023

Cheri Simonet
Church Chix

Thursday, February 2nd

Please join us, women of all ages, for our February Church Chix Social on Thursday, February 2nd!

Our dinner reservation is for 6:00pm The Rite Place located at 1580 Bellevue Street in Bellevue. Some Chix like to meet up for a cocktail the hour before dinner so that’s an option and before our evening wraps up, we’ll decide where next month’s dinner will be, trying our best to alternate the east side of town with the west side of town. There’s no monthly commitment required – join us when you can.

To attend, you can email an RSVP to office@firstpresgreenbay.org or there’s a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.

For more information, please contact Linda Michael at lindan9woa@gmail.com or by calling 920-347-0261.

So, if you haven’t already RSVP’d, do it today and join the Church Chix February social for a great night of laughter that’s sure to be memorable!

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!

2023 Lenten Theme Bible Study

Cheri Simonet
Bible Study

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22nd and continues for six weeks before we arrive at Holy Week and Easter. Lent is a time set aside to focus on our spiritual growth, to spend a little more energy on our relationship with God and perhaps a little less on worldly issues.

This year our Lenten theme will draw our attention to the importance of table fellowship for Jesus Christ. Each Sunday in Lent will include the celebration of communion in worship, and the sermon will focus on a story of Jesus eating a meal with others.

The Bible study opportunity for all adults will use the new Lenten study Meeting Jesus At the Table by Cynthia Campbell and Christine Coy Fohr. The study begins the week after Ash Wednesday and will meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm via Zoom online or Thursday mornings at 11:00 am at the church.

Plan to join with others in the family of faith to deepen your own spiritual journey and enjoy table fellowship together.

Books will be available for purchase from Pastor Katie. To reserve a copy email kestes@firstpresgreenbay.org or call (920) 437-8121.

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.

Save-the-date March 15, 2023 Blood Drive

Cheri Simonet
March Blood Drive

2023 Blood Drive Bulletin

The American Red Cross urges people to share their good health by giving blood or platelets during March, Red Cross Month.

March is Red Cross Month. During this month, the Red Cross honors the commitment of volunteers and blood and platelet donors to support individuals and families in need.

Red Cross Month is the perfect time for first timers to get involved and donate blood. Giving is an easy way to help a patient in need, and new donors will also get a mini physical and learn their blood type!

FOR DRIVES MARCH 1-31: Lend an arm; we’ll lend a hand. All who come to give in March will receive a $10 Visa® Prepaid Card by email! Plus, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card to help with gas or grocery expenses. There will be five lucky winners. Terms apply at RedCrossBlood.org/Help.

[FOR DRIVES WHERE POWER REDS WILL BE COLLECTED] Eligible donors with types O, B negative or A negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive.

Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact.

During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.

Save time with RapidPass®. Complete your pre-donation reading and health history at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or with the Blood Donor App before your appointment.

Eligibility questions? Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org.

YOU CAN HELP!

A diverse blood supply is important! Donors of all ethnicities are needed to give at each drive.

Help ensure blood is available to those with sickle cell disease when they need it. Blood donations from individuals who are Black are urgently needed to help meet the needs of patients with sickle cell disease. Find more information at RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood.

Save-the-Date

Our First Presbyterian Church Blood Drive is scheduled for

Wednesday, March 15 from 9:00am to 4:30pm

Schedule your appointment TODAY!

Augusta Jeffrey 2023 Nominations

Cheri Simonet
Augusta W. Jeffrey Rcognition Award

2023 Augusta Jeffrey Nominations are being accepted Beginning February 1st

The Augusta Jeffrey recognition award is presented each year to a member of the congregation for outstanding volunteer efforts within the church and through its programs.

Nominations for 2023 are now being accepted throughout the month of February.

You may nominate more than one person. To be accepted for consideration, the nomination form must be filled out completely.

During the first week of March 2023, nomination forms will be reviewed and a winner will be selected.

Winners of the Augusta Jeffrey Award designate an area of ministry in which the church is engaged that they choose to receive a financial boost.

Nominations forms can be completed and submitted online at Augusta Jeffrey Nomination Form.

Or, if you’d rather submit the nomination(s) offline, please download the 2023 Nomination Form and return the completed copy to the office at 200 S. Ashland Avenue, 54303.