Category: Events

October 2022 Rundown

Cheri Simonet
Monthly Rundown

N.E.W. Pride Alive Festival

It was a cool and cloudy, sometimes even rainy, day at the Brown County fairgrounds for this year’s N.E.W. Pride Festival, but the rainbows and smiles and hugs overcame the weather and brightened hearts and lives! Our welcoming churches booth was shared by five congregations including us, St. Anne’s Episcopal in DePere, Trinity Lutheran, Union Congregational and First Congregational in DePere. We gave out hugs and smiles, talked to lots of people who were thrilled to know of welcoming churches in our area, and we thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thanks to volunteers Al Smith, Grace Estes Collins, and Joel Morien for representing us.

Tank Back to School Drive

There was an overwhelming generous response to this year’s Tank Back to School Drive. THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the cause! And, we also had a true God moment when out of the blue Tank School requested clothing and we were fortunate to find 6 bags of gently used clothes that were looking for a home. Praise be to God! The clothes helped children who were in desperate need of basic clothing that we often take for granted.

The staff at Tank School express their sincere thanks to everyone who’s made a difference in the Tank kid’s lives. The Outreach Committee now looks forward toward our next Tank initiative of our annual Christmas Prayer Baskets. Stay tuned for more to come on that in November’s Connections newsletter.

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 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 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!

Church Chix are Back!

Cheri Simonet
Church Chix

Our long-time Church Chix are returning! Covid knocked us out in early 2020, but you can’t keep the Church Chix down! For those newbies out there, Church Chix is a group of ladies that get together once a month for fun, food and fellowship. ALL ages are welcome to join! Members and non-members alike. The more the merrier!

We’ll meet the first Thursday, June 9th. A sign-up sheet to join is on the bulletin board or you can email an RSVP to office@firstpresgreenbay.org. During our first gathering we’ll decide which day and week of the month works best for future months, so the first Thursday of the month has yet to be locked in.

Our dinner reservation is for 6:00 pm at Village Grille in Allouez off Hoffman Road. Some Chix like to meet up for a cocktail the hour before dinner so that’s always 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. No monthly commitment required. Bulletin board sign-up will be each month to join as you can.

For more information, please contact Linda Michael at lindan9woa@gmail.com or by calling 920-347-0261. To let us know which day/week of the month works best for you please contact office@firstpresgreenbay.org.

So, what are you waiting for? RSVP today to join the Church Chix June social for a great night of laughter that’s sure to be memorable!

Augusta Jeffrey 2022 Awardee

Cheri Simonet
Augusta Jeffrey Award 2022

Congrats Judy!

It is our pleasure to present this year’s well deserved Augusta Jeffrey Award to Judy Knutzen-Nerad.

Judy has been a member of First Presbyterian Church GB since 1974 and during that time has served multiple terms as Deacon and is currently serving in that role today. She also now serves as an usher and plays a leadership role in organizing ushers for all services.

Always giving of her time and talent, Judy is an active committee member having served on the CE Committee in the past, and currently serves on both the Funeral Committee and Worship Committee. For many years, you’ve received a newsletter because Judy helped in the office each month and when needed she also volunteers as a substitute for Leah.

The advent wreath we’re blessed to use in worship each year since 1977 is entirely thanks to Judy who donated this in memory of her first husband, Paul. This past year in 2021, the wreath as well as other Advent decorations in the sanctuary were updated by Judy and she also donated the Fellowship Room Christmas tree.

Each year the Augusta Jeffrey awardee designates the $600 award funds to an area of ministry in which the church is engaged and Judy has designated this year’s funds towards sanctuary beautification, with the purchase of a few new banners in mind.

Daughters, Kristin and Tammy, were in attendance at our recognition celebration on Sunday, March 27th when Judy received the 2022 Augusta Jeffrey Award. As Covid prevented us from having a reception last year, we also celebrated 2021 awardees, Lisa Olson and Amy Wittman.

We are very blessed to have Judy as a member of our church. The next time you see Judy, please take a minute to give her a big thanks for all the generosity she’s shown our community of faith.

Memorial Service for Bob Nickel

Cheri Simonet
Celebration of Life

Join us on Friday, March 25 for the memorial service for Robert Nickel, Director of Music at our church for the past five years.

Mary and her family will receive guests from noon until 1:45; the service of worship will begin at 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary.

We are pleased to have Rt Rev. Paul Graf assisting Pastor Katie in worship and Jeffery Verkuilen with us on the organ for this service. Paul was a dear friend of Bob’s and is a Bishop in the Moravian Church. Jeff is organist and choir director at First United Methodist Church in Green Bay, teaches organ at St Norbert College in DePere, is a fellow in the American Guild of Organists and was a good friend of Bob’s as well. At the family’s request, there will not be a reception following the service.

Huehn’s Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay is handling arrangements and will host a visitation on Thursday, March 24 from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. Mary is hopeful that by having a visitation there, the large community of friends as well as students and staff from the high school where Bob was principal will have the opportunity to gather and remember him there in Sturgeon Bay, and not feel obligated to drive to Green Bay for the memorial service. Of course, anyone is welcome at either or both events. We give thanks to God for the life and ministry of Robert Nickel.

Your Monthly Rundown

Cheri Simonet

We’re excited to tell you about our newest addition to Connections – the Monthly Rundown.

Have you wondered about the outcome of a recent event? Well, this is where you’ll find the answers!

The Rundown section of Connections features a rundown of recent events so you’ll know the outcome of our outreach efforts, ministries and more. It’s also our bulletin board to receive special messages from fellow members and committees.

Rundowns will publish with our Connections issue on a monthly or bimonthly basis. To submit rundowns for consideration contact us at communications@firstpresgreenbay.org by the 15th of the month to be included in the following month’s publication. And, as always, we look forward to receiving your rundown of what’s been Happening Now!

Visit the March Rundown NOW!

Installation of Pastor Katie Estes – October 10th at 4:00pm

Cheri Simonet

Our installation of The Rev. Katie Estes as our pastor has been delayed for too many months, and at least some of us are wondering why we even need to do it at all. What’s the point of an installation when she’s already been serving among us for almost a year? But unlike the standard notification from an appliance store that “your installation is scheduled,” a pastoral installation is the occasion for great celebration, so we need to do it!

The Presbytery of Winnebago is actually the “host” for this event, though in all truth they turn all the details over to us. So what can we expect? A wonderful full service of worship, special music featuring the Griffon String Quartet, an ensemble and a soloist, scripture and sermon, a charge to the congregation and another to the pastor, and then a lovely reception in the Fellowship Room for all our guests. We will have guests here—the current moderator of Winnebago Presbytery as well as several elders and pastors representing the presbytery, plus a few family members and friends of Katie’s from her former congregation in St. Paul. While the service of installation doesn’t change anything about our call to Katie or the relationship we’ve already spent almost a year developing, it does mark the official beginning of this ministry we are doing together, and who doesn’t like an excuse for a party? Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for this special occasion. The honor of your presence is requested!