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FirstNews Monthly A Look Inside Your May Edition:
• Come to Gillian’s Welcoming at Presbytery—3 • Your Parish Nurse’s Head-to-Toe Diabetes
Guide—4 • Pentecost Party Details You Won’t Want to Miss—6 • Christian Ed Events in May—7
• A Special Invitation: Adult Ed—8
Eastertide
Not long ago, when we were still shrugging our shoulders against the cold and counting down the days ‘til we could
enjoy some warmer weather, my 5-year-old, Ezzy, asked me, “Daddy, when does spring start?” This was in the middle
of March. I counted the days and told her, “Five days, Sweetie. The first day of spring is on Thursday, March 20.”
“Woo-hooooo!” she cried. “Just five more days and it will be warm again outside, and I can play and go to the beach
and swim and…” Of course, we all know what happened. Five days came and went, we saw the start of spring, and
here we are, 41 days later, still shrugging our shoulders against the cold, wondering if we’ll ever get through this crazy
cold weather.
It’s a familiar pattern in our lives, isn’t it? Life gets cold, or difficult, or overwhelming. We ask ourselves and we ask
God, “How much longer?” Like Ezzy, we convince ourselves that the end is in sight—that in just a few more days (or
after a few more treatments, or after the next counseling session, or after we get through whatever’s next) life will
return to some semblance of normal. Does it ever?
This Eastertide reminds us that God’s abundant love is bound to no season—that there is no “come and go” when it
comes to God mercy and grace, ever-present in our lives, flowing through the whole of creation, proclaiming
“resurrection” to all. As May unfolds, the flowers bloom and (hopefully!) the temperatures warm once again, let us
remember and celebrate that which is unchanging—God’s persistent love in Christ, claiming us all and calling us to
more deeply recognize our salvation.
Continued Easter blessings to you all this month!
Peace,
Senior Pastor
Ben Johnston-Krase
Associate Pastor Gillian Weighton
Visitation Pastor Steven C. Fringer
Organist
Gerald E. Buck
Choir Director
Alejandro Alumbreros
Handbell Choir Director
Nancy Buck
Music Leader
Mark Paffrath
Office Administrator Julie Nondorf
Sexton
Leneen Schrieffer
Financial Secretary
Doris Deschler
NurseryWorker
Angela Martini
e-mail:
Web site:
www.FirstPresRacine.org
716 COLLEGE AVENUE
RACINE, WI 53403
262.632.1686
PLEASE RECYCLE
2014 Edition; Volume 5
Music & more 2014
Please join us on Thursday, June 5, at Noon as we kick off our
21st season! We’ve planned a full schedule: 10 weeks, every Thurs-
day, noon to 1:00 p.m. through August 7. The concerts are free, fun
and fast-paced, so plan to bring a friend or two.
We depend on contributions from individuals and businesses, which
allow us to give an honorarium to the musicians, and pay for adver-
tising and other expenses. Your donation is tax-deductible and can
be made to First Presbyterian Church, for Music & More. Donations
may be given in honor or in memory of someone or to mark a
special occasion. In appreciation of your support, you will receive
two complimentary tickets to the season finale concert on August 15
and you will be recognized as a series contributor in our weekly
concert programs. We appreciate your support!
June Line-Up
June 5
Muzika Piano Trio & Frank Suetholz Jamey Buencamino
Luke Patterson
June 12
Mary Anna Salo Michael Gudbaur
Corporate Downsizing Quartet
June 19
Daniel Ringwalt
Carol Christensen & Sharon Geyer Jeanne Scherkenbach & Anne Van Deusen
June 26
Suzanne Geoffrey & Wayne Wildman
Carolyn Wehner Kal Bergendahl Group
Mission Cornerstone
Hopefully spring finds all of you well this year! In March total income was $49,624, which was higher than the previous March of $43,555. March 2014 year-to-date (YTD) total income was $97,647 compared to last year of $83,323. YTD 2014 income is now favorable +$14,324, or +17.2%, compared to prior year. Costs in March 2014 were also much higher than prior year. For March 2014 costs were $37,418 resulting in a net gain of $12,206 for the month. In March 2013 costs were lower at $30,653 for a similar net gain of $12,902. March costs were $6,765 higher, or +22.1%, than last year due to both planned payroll increases of $2,962 and utilities, $1,809. March YTD 2014 costs were $108,389 compared to last year of $92,303, or +$15,386. The higher costs through March 2014 have offset the higher revenue resulting in virtually the same net loss this year ($10,742) compared to last year ($9,680).
Ed Holle Treasurer
Following our performance at the Anniversary Dinner on May 3rd,
the handbell choir will have a vacation during the month of May.
We plan to play in church at least once per month during the summer.
Rehearsal schedules will be announced later.
Thank you to all who participated in the Chili Cook-off. Once again it was very successful and we were able to help our community in a very positive way! Our Hand of Hope/OGHS Fundraising Drive this year is supporting children in the community by funding Girls, Inc., Safe Haven, and Hand to Hand. All these organizations do incredible work helping boys and girls to develop into amazing human beings! Please give to the Hand of Hope/One Great Hour of Sharing fundraising drive. The Mission Committee presented plans for a Cuba Cultural Mission Trip to the Adult Sunday School group recently. If you are interested in participating in this trip, please stay tuned to upcoming events for education and adventure! Peace—
Kathi Wilson Mission Chairperson
Financial Update
The Prayer Shawl Ministry is up and running!
New members are welcome at any time.
Come! Take part in this fun and productive ministry!
What? Can’t knit or crochet? Come learn!
Yarners of all skill levels and experience are welcome!
For more information or to obtain a pattern, contact Bonnie at 886-3262
H A N D B E L L C H O I R
R E N T—A—Y O U T H
So much to do...so little time?
Too heavy, too big, too over-
whelming, too high? Help is
available! We do yard work,
painting, organizing, clean-
ing, computers and more for
a donation to the Summer
Youth Mission Trips! Contact
Ben Neal for information and
appointments. You can email
[email protected] or phone
Ben at 262-497-6545. Thanks!
Brian & Susan Stahl May 5th 13 years
Daniel & Tricia Eifert May 11th 23 years
Sean & Marcia Rosenmarkel May 15th 15 years
Edward & Eleanor Hunt May 16th 55 years
Alejandro Alumbreros & Ami Bouterse May 19th 16 years
Patrick & Denise Harris May 19th 18 years
Jonathan Olsen & Molly Hall May 21st 20 years
Ken & Fumi Nakayama May 24th 17 years
David & Dana Griffith May 25th 18 years
Royce & Barbara Earnest May 26th 24 years
Michael & Pamela Wahlen May 26th 30 years
Jeffrey Leavell & Georgia Herrera May 27th 25 years
Russell & Katherine Wortley May 27th 25 years
Patrick & Elizabeth Tews May 30th 7 years
David Wright & Kristin Holmberg-Wright May 30th 34 years
We are now working to coordinate
our Third Annual Pentecost Birth-
day Celebration and we would love
to involve you! Simply sign up on the
sheet in Ihrman Hall to bring a cake,
help set up, or coordinate one of those two
areas. We will also need help with clean
up after the party. Questions? Ideas?
Please call Ginny at 884-0230. Thanks!
Calling all grads! Calling all High School grads! College grads! Community College grads! Trade School grads!
University grads! Well, you get the picture who we’ re calling, but do you know why? Our annual Graduation Sunday
event will take place the last Sunday in May! We’ d like to make sure you, your spouse, your son, or your daughter is recog-
nized for their accomplishments! Please contact Julie in the office at [email protected] or 632-1686 and let her
know the name, school, and program of graduation, as well as the next step the grad will take. Notification deadline is
Monday, May 19th. Thanks!
P e n t e c o s t P a r t y
“But me? I will enter your house
because of your abundant, steadfast
love.” (Psalm 5:07)
Join us for
FIRST SUNDAY @ 5:07
Happy Birthday, May Flowers! May 24 Austin Eifert
May 25 Jennifer Humphreys
May 26 Jennings Leavell
May 27 Michael Earnest
Michael Wahlen
Deborah Yale
May 28 Justin Nichols
Brian Stahl
Katherine Pirtle
Elizabeth Stevenson
May 30 Kay Flynn
Les Lucareli
Linda Shankster
May 31 Harold Ralston
May 11 Alejandro Alumbreros
Samuel Leipold
Aliya Pitts
May 12 Meredith Ford
May 13 Ken Nakayama
May 14 Frederick Lawrence
May 15 David Griffith
May 16 Virginia Devens
Carrie Massey
Austin Moulds
May 19 Stephanie Shelton
May 20 Megan Humphreys
Robert Lee
Elizabeth Rose
May 22 Martha Fusco
Benjamin Rangel
May 23 Kime Neal
May 1 Linda Schubert
May 2 Victoria Vollman
May 3 Cynthia Gleason
Ken Schacht
May 4 Jody Holle
May 5 Monica Neal
Zoë Tews
Betsy Walton
May 6 Royce Earnest
May 7 William Blandford
Claire Hendee
Logan Humphreys
Edward Rowe
May 9 Paul Hable
May 10 Warren DeKraay
Darrell Sutton
Tyler Willing
Pastor Gillian will be officially welcomed on the floor of the Presbytery at this meeting.
Join us for this special night. The meal is just $6
Saturday, May 27th, 2014
Keynote Speaker:
Bonnie Sue Lewis - Dubuque Seminary
“Being the Missional Church"
Location: Kenosha, First
1803 83rd Street
Join Us For Gillian’s Welcoming to the Milwaukee Presbytery
What is First Sunday?
On the first Sunday of each month, at 5:07 p.m., we’ll gather for a time of worship and then a potluck meal. Bring what you can, come as you are, be with us, and be with God! First Sunday is a
perfect worship experience for children, as they are not expected to be quiet during the service, but
are rather encouraged to participate!
Please join us in the chapel on Sunday, May 6th @5:07 pm
Intercessory Prayer Ministry We invite you to join this important ministry. For those who can attend, meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. in Ihrman Hall. If you are not able to attend the meet-ings, you will receive updated copies of the prayer list and you can pray during your own quiet time. We believe it is a privilege to pray for, with, and on behalf of, others. Each prayer request is held in confidence. For more info or to request a list, please contact Bonnie Eastman (886-3262) or Marilyn MacCaughey (886-3262).
Parish Nurse Notes
Head – To – Toe Diabetes Guide
Without warning, diabetes can hit you anywhere. Here is how you can spot potential problems and fight back. Your Eyes: Lately every magazine photo looks cloudy, and the colors seem “off.” Or you have trouble reading the glossy pages. These are classic signs of cataracts, which are more common in people with diabetes. But, if you notice blurriness or spots in your vision, contact your doctor. These could be signs of advanced retinopathy, which can cause blindness. In fact, please see your eye care professional every year for a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Your Mouth: The germs in your mouth love it when your blood sugar is high – it helps them grow. This can lead to gum disease that has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease. To keep gums healthy:
~Brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least daily. ~Have your teeth cleaned and checked by a dentist twice yearly. ~Watch for problems like bad breath, redness and swelling.
According to the Journal of Periodontology, people with diabetes who sought treatment for these early signs of gum disease had improved blood sugar levels six months later. Your Nerves: What about that aching, burning feeling in your feet and hands? High blood sugar can damage your nerves, causing pain or numbness. See your doctor at least yearly to check for nerve damage. Certain tests gauge how well you can feel temperature changes, vibrations, and other sensations. For pain relief try:
~A warm (not hot) bath ~Acupuncture ~Relaxation training
Your Feet: You have finally broken in your new sneakers. Now, how long until that blister goes away? Over time, diabetes can damage your blood vessels. Poor circulation makes foot injuries slow to heal. So, even a tiny blister can become seriously infected. Inspect your feet daily for:
~ Cuts
~Sores
~Red spots See your doctor right away if you have any foot problems like these. May we strive to make God-pleasing choices about our health. Blessings, Peggy Taylor, RN, Parish Nurse
It’s hard to believe, but summer is actually
coming and so is the end of
Sunday School for another year. Sunday, June 1st will be our
final day of both Sunday school &
Adult Ed. Classes will
resume in early September,
2014!
SAVE THE DATE FOR
VBS!!! August 4—8th 9:00—11:30 a.m. Covenant Presbyterian 40 Ohio St., Racine
The Community Meal is around the corner again! First Pres. will
be providing the food and workers for the meal on Tuesday, May 20.
As in the past, we will need donations of casseroles, milk, fruit, lettuce
& dressing, and bread. There will be a sign up poster in Ihrman Hall if
you would like to help with this ministry. The food needs to be dropped
off by 3:00 on the day of the meal. If you would like to help prepare and
serve the food, come to church around 2:00 on the 20th to help me cook,
or come to the site (1032 Grand Ave -- Head Start building) at 4:30
for set up and serving. Come join us! It's FUN!
History corner
175th Anniversary Publication Update
Progress continues on the 175th Anniversary book, due for completion in December
2014.Thanks to the efforts of Pam Wortley and Nancy Reeser who organized the
Church Archives, Dave Holle was able to find the original 1891 handwritten memoir
by Sylvester B. Peck. This document and other letters written by Joel Sage and Rev.
Cyrus Nichols will be added to the History and Equity sections of the publication
being written by Mark Hertzberg. The text is almost complete for the Building, Recent
Pastors, and Music portions of the publication. Georgia Hall is collecting
questionnaires from fifty-year and longer church members. Pastor Ben is working on
the Forward and the Conclusion for the publication. Pastor Gillian wrote a prayer for
the Dedication page. Other sections are still being discussed, including a section on the
175th Anniversary Sunday Service and a photo section highlighting the work of Armin
Clobes. The initial layout of the front cover and pages prepared by graphic designer
and marketing specialist Paul Rauwerda look great. (You may notice that some
pictures have been removed from the flip boards in the Howard Stanton Room. These
pictures may be used in the publication and will be returned to the flip boards.)
Other images will be collected from the Archives, art exhibit, library, Mark
Hertzberg, and the church office computer. Julie Nondorf has received bids and
samples from several printers. Thanks to all who are working on this project.
Our May meeting will be to attend the 2 p.m. matinee showing of Les
Miserables at the Racine Theater Guild. This will take place on Sunday,
May 18. Tickets for this are $17 for seniors, $19 if you are 62 or under.
We are planning to meet at the theater at 1:45 for the 2:00 performance.
Please let Ginny Holle know if you have any questions. Email:
[email protected] or call 884-0230.
We invite anyone to join us for any of our gatherings.
Pentecost Sunday, June 8th , is a very important day on our Christian Education calendar! Here is a list of special events you won’t want to miss, all happening
here at First Pres on Pentecost Sunday!
Third Annual Kids in Worship Sunday: During the service, each Sunday school class will contribute an
element of our worship. We’ll also have youth and children presenting music, designing our bulletin
cover, and making service generally fantastic. This is an exciting opportunity for our kids to minister to us!
Sunday School Teacher Appreciation: Please join our entire church family in thanking our Sunday School
teachers for an amazing year of service! Birthday Party for the Church: In celebration of the Day of
Pentecost, we will hold a birthday party for the Church instead of having our normal Sunday school
classes. After church, we’ll congregate in the dining hall for birthday cake and good company! (Please
contact Ginny Holle if you can help! 884-0230)
During the holidays our thoughts will often turn to the many gifts that we will be giving and receiving.
As Christians, we know without a double that the greatest gift of all is the gift of the Christ Child. Sharing the
“Reason for the Season” will bless you as well as others. Reach out to those people who are alone or two those who do not have a
church family.
Enjoy the holidays, especially those times you will be sharing with family and friends. May you experience the peace, joy, and
love that only comes from knowing our Lord, Jesus Christ. A very blessed Christmas to all and a new year filled with the “peace
that surpasses all understanding” is my special holiday wish for each of you.
Peggy Taylor, RN
Parish Nurse
To raise funds for the 2014 summer mission trip we will have a super-fun time volunteering
at the COLOR RUN on Saturday, May 24.
Our team will be managing: Color Zone #3
7th Street near Villa and Park Hours: 8 to 11 a.m.
All volunteers must register through this registration link, which is specific to our group The deadline for signing up is May 17:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-racine-registration-10757294357?access=FirstPresbyterianChurch
This allows the race sponsor, Real Racine, to track how many volunteers we have and make sure we are covering all the necessary positions.
Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and we can have a max of 25 volunteers.
Volunteers will be on their feet the entire time—rain or shine.
Duties will include throwing dyed cornstarch on runners with hands and squirt bottles. There will be one or two TCR staff members located here who
will manage and train our group of volunteers.
All volunteers will receive a t-shirt.
Volunteers should report directly to their color zone by 8 a.m. on race morning.
The donation we will receive is $1,000!
To sign up, get help, or ask questions, contact our First Pres Organizational Coordinators: Kime Heller-Neal Amanda Hansen 262-497-7786 or 262-902-7254 or [email protected] [email protected]
So GOES the Bob Dylan song that speaks of changing attitudes. We live in a time of change
and the church is not immune to the changes which are affecting our SOCIETY Each
GENERATION reacts and relates DIFFERENTLY to the world as its experiences of life and the world
are different. How does this affect the Church? How does our knowledge of the generations help us to
shape the Church in the PRESENT and in the future?
Are you interested in hearing more &
considering these questions with others? Come Along
to Adult Ed on May 4th.
Pastor Gillian will lead a presentation produced by the CHURCH of Scotland to address these ISSUES
about how we shape the Church for the future bearing in mind that each generation is different. The
presentation is called, MINISTRY BEYOND 20/20. 20/20 represents “normal” visual acuity. In practical terms,
this means SEEING and interpreting what is directly in front of us: the church of the Western
world struggling with falling NUMBERS, a lack of pastors, and adjusting to a rapidly CHANGING
society. What can we do now to address this situation? What can we do to SHAPE the church of the
FUTURE and effectively share the good news of God’s love with the world?
