Blog

September 2022 Rundown

Cheri Simonet
Monthly Rundown

FirstPresGB Softball Team takes home the Championship!!

CONGRATULATIONS to our #FirstPresGB softball team who knocked the Championship game out of the park with a victory of 10 to 6 over Mannifest. We are the #1 CHAMPIONS of the Division 2 – 2022 Christian Softball League! Great job, team!

THANK YOU to all the players for a great season. And a BIG thank you to all the fans who showed up for our games and showed their support. We couldn’t have done it without YOU!

Synod School 2022

We were pleased to have so many members in attendance at the 2022 Synod School that was themed “Experiencing Belonging“…so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually, we are members one of another.” Romans 12:5

Our youth group was part of 540 people in attendance. We learned what it meant to be a part of the body of Christ and to belong to one another. In the spirit of Christ’s community, we walked through biblical experiences of belonging. Exploring the communities, we found member­ship within, and we discovered how we can belong to one another and to Christ more fully. Everyone came home with an eagerness to attend again in 2023.

Change of addresses

Don and Nina Lundin have had a change of address and Harland Merrill has also had a change of address. If you’d like to make note of their new address, please call the office at (920) 437-8121 or email office@firstpresgreenbay.org and we’ll be happy to provide you with the updates.

Brat Fry Thanks!

THANK YOU to everyone who came out and supported our two Brat Fries on August 14th and 28th. Thanks to your support we raised $1056 for the Youth Group and Presbyterian Pantry.

N.E.W. Pride Alive 2022 Festival

Cheri Simonet
NEW Pride Alive2022

We’re pleased to announce that our congregation will be represented at the N.E.W. Pride Alive Festival on Saturday, September 24th at the Brown County Fairgrounds. Several welcoming churches in the greater Green Bay area have come together to host a table in the exhibit hall, letting participants know that there are faith communities ready to welcome and embrace them. The table will be staffed from noon to 5:00 pm on Saturday by church volunteers, with plans to distribute a flier with details on welcoming churches as well as offering hand-held fans, glitter blessings, opportunities for prayer, and more. If you’d like to volunteer for a two-hour shift at the table, contact Pastor Katie at kestes@firstpresgreenbay.org or call (920) 437-8121.

The purpose of N.E.W. Pride is to enhance the lives of LGBTQ+ people in the Greater Fox Valley & Green Bay regions by empowering people and organizations that share this purpose. Through partnerships, education, funding, creating more opportunities for community connection, and raising visibility/awareness of LGBTQ+ issues, we strive to create a Northeastern Wisconsin where all LGBTQ+ folk thrive. Each year, N.E.W. Pride puts on a number of events including Northeastern Wisconsin Pride. This family-friendly pride event features fireworks, live music, a local history exhibit, drag performances, and more!

Please join us!

August 22, 2022 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 have a childhood memory from when I was in the 6th grade I was called into the principal’s office right before Christmas. I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong but I was still scared! Turns out they just wanted me to emcee the Christmas pageant. They didn’t have microphones back then and I had a loud voice
  • 6th grade was a memorable year because not only did I emcee the Christmas pageant, I got to see President Eisenhauer as his motorcade drove downtown
  • I am the youngest of 6. I had one sister and have 1 brother remaining of 4
  • I am married with 4 children and 5 grandchildren
  • I love to cross stitch and watch HGTV
  • What I love the most about our church is how it’s growing and keeping up with the times but still keeping the integrity of the original church
  • I have been a member of the church my whole life
  • My favorite vacation memories are visiting Washington D.C. when I was pregnant with my first child. I loved visiting Ford’s Theater and the rooming house across the street where Lincoln died
  • I am most passionate about trying to lead a good Christian life
  • I was a preemie when I was born. I weighed under 5#. My diapers were men’s handkerchiefs and I wore doll clothes until I was almost 2. Nothing else fit!

Who am I?

Do you give up?

I’m Jane Bies!

Betcha didn’t know all that about our Cake Lady, did you?

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!

August 8, 2022 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 grew up in Little Suamico, Wisconsin
  • I have 1 sister
  • My favorite childhood memory is spending time up North in Presque Isle, Wisconsin with my cousins
  • My first pet was a hamster named Reggie
  • What I enjoy most in the whole wide world is spending time at home with my family
  • I was baptized in 1988
  • I’ve been a member of the church since 2002
  • My birthday is in August which makes my zodiac sign Virgo
  • My favorite movie is Sweet Home Alabama
  • I’m a lover of all types of music genres and eras
  • One thing that no one would ever guess about me is that I’m a licensed drone pilot

Who am I?

Do you give up?

I’m Bobbi Holl!

Betcha didn’t know all that about Bobbi, did you?

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!

July 25, 2022 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 in Waukon, IA (which is Northeast Iowa – about 20 miles from the Mississippi River and 20 miles from the Minnesota border)
• My first 10 years of life, I lived on a farm
• I was the oldest of three girls
• I graduated from the University of Dubuque with a major in Christian Education and a minor in Social Studies
• We moved around Wisconsin and Iowa when our three kids were young but where we really raised our family was Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
• After 20 years I moved to Mitchell, South Dakota and this is where I retired
• Before I started working outside the home I enjoyed giving piano lessons to a number of young people
• Music has always been important to me, first it was piano then clarinet then organ
• I volunteered as a 4-H Leader
• I’ve been a member of the church since 2004

Who am I?

Do you give up?

I’m Shirley Schoffelman!

Betcha didn’t know all that about Shirley, did you?

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 Name that Member!

August 2022 Rundown

Cheri Simonet
Monthly Rundown

#FirstPresGB Softball Team continues to hit it out of the park

Our softball season came to a close on July 10th as we ended the season with a record of 4 and 3. We are seeded 6th in the Division 2 playoffs. Playoffs began on Sunday the 17th and we walked away with an 8-6 win for our first round. The second playoff round was a doubleheader on July 24th and we defeated 3rd seeded Peace with a score of 32 to 6 (wow!) and game two we defeated 1st seeded Journey #3 with a score of 18-16. The Division 2 Championship Game will be played on Sunday, July 31st – with results yet to be determined when we went to press – but watch our social media post-game for the Championship Game outcome!  

Welcome New Members

On Thursday, June 23rd at the Session meeting and on Sunday, July 31st in worship, our congregation received the following new members: Joanne LaCourt, Mary Jane McCrory, Fritzi Mevis, Brittany Morien, Joel Morien (and their daughter Aubrey), and Sue Russell. Please make an effort to welcome them into the family of faith.

2022 General Assembly

A summary of the 225th General Assembly (2022) actions can be viewed here. Israel and Palestine relations, fossil fuel divestment, and OGA/PMA unification were among the major issues addressed.

Church Chix had a blast!

We had 13 Chix in attendance during our Church Chix July social gathering on July 21st at 1951 West. The restaurant was great, service was great and there was great food – but more importantly there was great laughter, fun and fellowship! Join the Chix for their August social at A’Bravo on August 18th at 6pm. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board or RSVP to office@firstpresgreenbay.org. Hope you can join the Chix!

July 11, 2022 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 have two daughters and three grandchildren
• My favorite song is Living on a Prayer by Jon Bon Jovi
• My favorite movie is Grease 1
• My favorite play is Jesus Christ Superstar
• My best friend’s name is Anna
• I’m (admittedly) outspoken (I own it)
• I don’t suffer fools gladly
• I’ve been a member of the church since 1997
• I’ve served on committees, and as Deacon and Elder
• Something people might not know about me is that I swim every day from 5am-6am and kayak weekly

Who am I?

Do you give up?

I’m Stephanie Fahringer!

Betcha didn’t know all that about Stephanie, did you?

Tell us your story! Email csimonet@firstpresgreenbay.org so you can be featured in an upcoming Monday Member Spotlight Name that Member!

Name that Member! And, the BIG REVEAL

Cheri Simonet
Name that Member

About Name that Member!

We’re excited to tell you about a new feature of our social media and newsletter: Name that Member!

We debuted “Name that Member!” on our social channels with Ginny Amen’s 103rd birthday and we’d like to feature YOU too in an upcoming Monday Member Spotlight!

We know how long you’ve been a member of the church and when your birthday is, but what else do we know about you?

Where did you grow up? How many brothers and sisters do you have? What’s your favorite childhood memory? What was your first pet? Or have you not had one yet? What’s your favorite activity? What’s your favorite movie? Favorite song? What’s one thing that no one would ever guess about you?

Tell us your story! Let’s have some fun and get to know each other a little better.

Please email communications@firstpresgreenbay.org with your fun facts so we can feature you in an upcoming Monday Member Spotlight so fellow members can Name that Member!

July – Name that Member – BIG REVEAL!

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

• I grew up in Ames, Iowa until I was almost 7 and then we moved to Green Bay
• I have 1 brother and 2 sisters
• My favorite childhood memory is going to western Iowa to visit my mom’s parents and spend quality time with my cousins
• My first pet growing up was a medium sized dog named Magoo; after we got married, a parakeet named Toby. We ended up having 7 parakeets at one point.
• My favorite activity is spending time with family is first, especially grandkids. Crafting and gardening are a very close tie for second. Traveling in the Midwest is third.
• My favorite movie is Major League
• My favorite song is Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
• Something no one would guess about me is that I have a habit of ‘rescuing’ plants from garden centers toward the end of the summer when they end up on a clearance table and they look real sad. I end up with more than I can plant before it gets cold, so they winter in my garage so I can plant them the following spring.

Who am I?

Do you give up?

I’m Becky Christianson! Betcha didn’t know all that about Becky, did you?

Tell us your story! Email communications@firstpresgreenbay.org so you can be featured in an upcoming Name that Member profile!

July 2022 Rundown

Cheri Simonet
Monthly Rundown

HAPPY Birthday, Ginney Amen!

Ginney Amen was featured in our debut publication of Name that Member! on her birthday, June 9th, when she turned 103. Wowzah! In case you missed Name that Member, Ginney’s the oldest member of our church being a child of a member since 1931, then confirmed in 1933. In Name that Member we had some fun facts about Ginney being the master organizer of cabinets and closets, her maiden name begins with the letter P, and she went downhill skiing in her 90’s. Again, WOWZAH! We are so blessed to have Ginney in our family of faith!

#FirstPresGB Softball Team continues to hit it out of the Park

Since our June newsletter, our softball team has scored wins for their 3rd (10 to 4) and 4th (25 to 8!) week games but our 5th game we suffered our first defeat at 0-5 and our second defeat during our 6th game on June 26 with a score of 8-14. But we’re not letting that get us down. We plan to come back strong for our upcoming 7th game!

Since our game opener on May 15th our league standing is at 4-2.

We have a bye week for the 4th of July weekend but our final game before playoffs will take place on Sunday, July 10th at 5:30pm on Field 2. Please join us for a night of fun and fellowship! Playoff games to be announced – stay tuned.

Church Chix had a blast

Our Church Chix gathered for their June social on June 9th at the Village Grille in Allouez. We had 14 Chix in attendance. The restaurant was great, service was great and there was great food – but more importantly there was great laughter, fun and fellowship!

Join the Chix for their July social at 1951 West on July 21st at 6pm. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board or RSVP to office@firstpresgreenbay.org. Hope you can join the Chix!

Outdoor Worship & Potluck Picnic FUN!

We were blessed to have beautiful weather for our outdoor worship and potluck picnic on Sunday, June 26th.

The Noah’s Ark story was shared in a fun and silly way, with the congregation providing sound effects and a full rainstorm. A paper dove flew over our heads and rainbow streamers reminded us of God’s everlasting promise. Special thanks to the Deacons and Joel Morien for help to make it all happen; Jill Stenson’s solo of “Every time I Feel the Spirit” was a highlight.

After worship, hotdogs on the grill and side dishes were provided by all of you—and we gathered for a potluck picnic with GREAT food and fabulous fellowship. Many recipes were exchanged between members. Thank you to all who were able to join us!

Congratulations 2022 Graduates

Cheri Simonet
Graduation

We are so proud of our Class of 2022 high school graduates – Evan Hansen and Morgan Siewert! CONGRATULATIONS! As they take their next steps in life’s post-high school journey, we are there as a community to support them. They’ll be sadly missed in our youth group gatherings, but we look forward to seeing them grow in their faith as young adults. Evan and Morgan’s graduation story and plans for their future are as unique as they are special.

Evan Hansen
Evan Hansen

Evan graduated on June 12th from Bay Port High School. Evan’s immediate plans are pursuing a career with Seura Outdoor TV’s as a technical engineer while also planning to take few classes at NWTC. We wish you all the best in your new career, Evan!

Morgan graduated on June 5th from Green Bay Southwest High School. She plans to continue her education at St. Norbert College where she’ll double major in biomedical sciences and psychology. Megan has received the Presidential Scholarship awarded by St. Norbert College. She’ll miss participating in Student Council during high school years along with her favorite high school memory of homecoming football games, but she looks forward to creating new memories during her college years. Congratulations, Morgan!

Thank you to all who joined us on graduation Sunday, June 19th when we celebrated Evan and Morgan’s educational accomplishments during worship with a special reception that followed.

Morgan Siewert
Morgan Siewert

We also extend congratulations to our college graduates:
• Julia Doenges, daughter of Georjeanna and Vern Doenges, who graduated summa cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a degree in Communications with emphases in Health Communication and Organizational Communication.
• Olivia Crooks, daughter of Lori and Hank Crooks, who graduated from Concordia University, Mequon with a BS degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders.
• Taylor Wittman, daughter of Amy and Scott Wittman, who graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health.
• Emma Smith, daughter of Ellen and Al Smith, who graduated from Mt. Mary University in Milwaukee with a Master of Science in Counseling.
• Kerri Gouldkristine, daughter of Sarah Gouldkristine, who graduated from UW Stout with a BA Degree in Advanced Logics.

Blessings to one and all as you move forward in your post-graduate journey!