Category: Youth

December 2022 Rundown

Cheri Simonet
Monthly Rundown

Trunk-or-Treat

Ten decorated trunks, 50+ costumed guests, and hundreds of tasty treats! Our first annual Trunk or Treat was a spooky success. Thanks to all who hosted a trunk and all who turned out for treats!

Thanksgiving with our friends at First United

A glorious joint service of thanksgiving was held on Saturday November 19, 2022 at First United Presbyterian Church in De Pere with more than 75 people present from the two congregations. The service was followed by a delicious turkey dinner for everyone present. We raised $366.48 in free will offering, plus a grocery cart of canned good for the Presbyterian Pantry. Thank you, everyone, for your generous support!

November 2022 Rundown

Cheri Simonet
Monthly Rundown

Congratulations Eric Sperduto!

Aaron and Jody Sperduto’s son, Eric, was recognized in October by the Green Bay West Rotary Club as one of their Students of the Month. Eric is a senior at Pulaski High School. Congratulations on your accomplishment, Eric!

Fall Clean-up THANKS!

We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful fall day to do our fall clean-up! It was sunny, warm and in the 70’s which made our chores feel far less chore like. The yard was cleaned up and the windows were washed. So much was accomplished thanks to the help of our amazing volunteers—Pat McCormick and his granddaughter, Grace, Pete Blashka, Dave and Lisa Solper, Judy Knutzen-Nerad, Kirke Ryder (our magician on windows), Joel Morien and John Belanger. Mary says a big THANK YOU to one and all! We couldn’t have gotten it done without you!

BURM Conference

What can be said about connecting with our partners in Russia, the Christians in Ukraine who are suffering from the war, the refugees in Belarus who are being used as pawns in a political game, the authoritarian regimes that are rising to political power in Europe and elsewhere, and the fact that we’re fighting wars over access to fossil fuels that are also degrading our planet?

Lots can be said, and lots was said – we learned so much at the Belarus, Ukraine, Russia Mission (BURM) Network conference October 6-8. We were honored to host the event in-person and virtually via our Facebook Livestream. There was a LOT of great information. Ellen Smith, our mission co-worker shared her recent newsletter telling us about how refugees in Belarus are at risk and details about her recent travels. Everyone walked away with a better understanding of the region, its challenges and what we can do to get involved. For more visit BURM 2022 Network Conference Rundown.

Confirmation Class and Apple Crisps

On Sunday, October 23 our Confirmation Class gathered to make and bake apple crisps for some of our homebound members. There were lots of apples to peel and dice, LOTS—dozens of apples. Later that afternoon the crisps were delivered to great acclaim and appreciation. Thank you to our confirmation class for your outreach efforts!

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!

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!

How we can help people in Ukraine

Cheri Simonet
Pray for Ukraine

Resources from Presbyterian Mission

It is evident that the situation unfolding in Ukraine is rapid and everchanging. With the war shifting, many Ukrainian families have been forced to flee their homes in order to maintain their safety. With news outlets frequently reporting about the crisis, you may find yourself wondering what you can do to help those affected.

Here’s what Presbyterian Mission, a division of Presbyterian Church USA, says you can do:

GIVE

Donations can be made by calling (800) 872-3283, by texting “PDAUKR” to 41444, online at https://pma.pcusa.org/donate/make-a-gift/gift-info/DR000156/ or by check made payable to Presbyterian Church USA with “DR000156-Ukraine” on the memo line mailed to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

ACT

Download the Bulletin Insert and spread the word. You can also urge the U.S. government to support generous aid for refugees and civilians suffering in Ukraine, and call for engaging a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

PRAY

“May we undergird our prayers with tangible resources to help.
May we reach deeply, give generously, and welcome extravagantly.
May we lift our voices in a strong and unified advocacy.
May we all, even as we breathe in lament, breathe out mercy, hope and peace.
And in this Lenten season, when we walk the way toward death and resurrection, repent our complicity in cultures of violence and renew our efforts toward justice and peace.”

— Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, Director, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

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!

Returning to In-Person Worship

Cheri Simonet
Yes we're open

Beginning Sunday, February 6

After careful consideration, the Session has voted to re-open the Sanctuary to an in-person worship option beginning Sunday February 6, 2022.

We closed in January due to the recent surge in Covid infections in our area, and are glad to see that number beginning a downturn. We will continue to offer the livestream worship service for any who are not healthy or not yet comfortable coming in-person. It is our strong recommendation that everyone continue to wear masks while in the church building, and KN95 masks will be available at the entry doors if you need one.

The nursery will re-open as well, and Confirmation class will resume on February 6. Sunday School class will not be held that day because of communion but will resume February 13.

However, the Fellowship hour following our worship service, with coffee and treats, has been discontinued for the time being. Thank you for your understanding.

We hope to see everyone in-person or virtually via our Facebook Livesteam on Sunday mornings at 10am!