FirstNews Monthly

A Look Inside Your January Edition:

• Walking in a Winter Wonderland: Tips for Staying Safe in the Cold—3

• Special Art Show to Benefit Hospitality Center—4 What’s Happening at Discovery Day in 2015—5 • An Important Message from Craig Howard—8

Bright and Amazing I ran across this poem recently. It’s called “Bright and Amazing God,” and it was written by Helen Lambie, a Resident Group member of the Iona Community in Scotland. We believe in a bright and amazing God, who has been to the depths of despair on our behalf; who has risen in splendor and majesty; who decorates the universe with sparkling water, clear white light, twinkling stars and sharp colours, over and over again. We commit ourselves to Jesus to one another as brothers and sisters, and to the Maker’s business in the world. God said: Let there be light. Amen. Maybe you’re in the business of making New Year’s resolutions, and maybe you’re not. It hasn’t been uncommon for me to get caught up in the hype of resolving to do something, only to find myself sitting there in February or March feeling guilty for not doing more sit-ups or writing more hand-written letters. So this year, no resolutions for me! Instead, on New Year’s Day, I’m going to celebrate a mysterious but certain truth, that I believe in a bright and amazing God—a God who has elegantly decorated this world with signs of beauty and won-der—God who accompanies us through time and space—a God whose blessings come in worship, in community, and in love. I’m going to try to begin 2015 in a posture of awestruck wonder, and I am going to attempt to trust that for 365 more days, God will accompany us all through whatever comes our way. Peace to you in 2015,

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

Financial Secretary

Doris Deschler

Sexton

Leneen Schrieffer

Nursery Worker

Angela Martini

E-mail the Office:

julie@firstpresracine.org

Web Site:

www.FirstPresRacine.org

716 COLLEGE AVENUE

RACINE, WI 53403

262.632.1686

PLEASE RECYCLE

2015 Edition; Volume 1

Jesus charges us to feed the hungry. To make our response to his instruc-

tion more tangible and visible as we start the new year, we will begin having

a food offering on the first Sunday of every month when we celebrate

Communion. We encourage everyone—especially our young ones—to place

un-expired, non-perishable food items on the table reserved in the sanctu-

ary. Especially needed are items that are easy to grab and eat without

cooking, and items that are easy to pick up: cans of tuna, salmon, chick-

en....peanut butter and jelly....crackers....canned fruits. Our first collection

will take place on Sunday, January 4.

Session had the same reaction the congregation seems to have had when

Pastor Ben gave us the news of his leaving: shock, then support. We have

already had one meeting to start planning ahead for the change. During that

meeting, the Session passed the recommendation to create co-pastor positions

for pastors Ben and Gillian. You, our congregation, will learn more about this

and have a chance to vote on the recommendation at the annual meeting on

January 25.

Please let any Session members know your feelings and opinions on the best

way to move forward in the coming months, and know that your Session will

do its best to be thoughtful and creative as we move forward during this

transition.

Yours in Peace,

Debby Capener

Clerk

Session News

Parish Nurse Notes

*Courtesy of Dr. Ellen Danto-Nocton, Wheaton Franciscan Geriatric Medicine

W inter can be a beautiful time of year, but it also can be a challenging time to get out and about. Falling on ice, trudging through snow, and the careful walking necessary to avoid slips and spills can all take a toll on muscles and joints or result in a disabling injury. A few simple measures can make it safer to go outdoors. The following are tips that can keep you on your feet once you get outside:

Keep entrance ways and sidewalks clear of snow and ice.

Avoid walking outside at night. It can be difficult to see a patch of ice or slippery surfaces, especially in the dark. Ar-range to have someone with you to provide assistance if you must go out.

Choose a good pair of winter boots that give warmth and stability. Consider boots that are light in weight, have wide, low heels, a thick, non-slip sole, and that are well-insulated and waterproof.

Keep your knees loose and slightly bent, if possible. This will help stabilize your balance. Spread your feet at least a foot apart while standing, to promote a wider base of support. This will also help secure your balance.

Take small steps, placing your entire foot down at once. You can shuffle or drag your foot, but keep your feet apart, and step down with your entire foot for the best stability.

For additional support, use a cane or walker. Ask your doctor if an ice tip attachment is recommended.

If you have to go down an incline, walk sideways. It is more difficult to balance when putting one foot in front of the oth-er, while walking sideways with slightly bent knees provides more stability.

Plan to protect your dominant arm. If you should fall, you will probably throw out your dominant arm to balance yourself. If you get injured, you will have to depend on your weaker arm while you recover. Holding a coat over the dominant arm or keeping something in that hand may force you to use the other, weaker arm in the event of a fall. Don’t let winter weather keep you inside. Just take your time, observe some precautions, enjoy the winter chill—have a joy-filled and healthy 2015!

Peggy Taylor, RN, Parish Nurse

Mission Cornerstone

Just a few brief thoughts this month. First, thank you to all who purchased gifts at the Alternative Christmas Market

last month. Because of your generosity, we raised over $2,500 for our recipient charities! Second, the Annual Chili

Cook-off will take place on Sunday, February 22, so please save the date!

2014 is winding down on the calendar but ramping-up financially! November total income was $71,021 that was +$46,499

higher than November 2013 primarily due to a “Meet & Greet” with the pastors, set up to help reduce the operating deficit.

Thank you again to all who came out or contributed!

November 2014 year-to-date (YTD) total income was $339,336 compared to 2013 of $282,515.

Costs in November 2014 were also higher than prior year. November 2014 costs were $30,972 resulting in a net gain of

+$40,049 for the month. In November 2013 costs were $27,244 with a small net loss of ($1,661). November YTD 2014

costs were $373,109 compared to YTD 2013 of $327,602. The revenue push in November 2014 has helped reduce the 2014

YTD deficit down to ($33,773) compared to ($45,087) in 2013.

Our efforts in November pulled a fair amount of donations forward from December so a true projection based on historical

trends is more difficult this year. However, my best estimate is that we are projected to finish the year with a net loss around

($35,000) compared to the budgeted loss for 2014 of ($19,650). The operating shortfall will need to be covered by reduc-

tions to our foundation fund.

Ed Holle

Treasurer

Young Women’s Gathering

Join us to share life experiences, laugh

together, enjoy a glass of wine, explore our faith!

Come as you are to 912 Cleveland Avenue on Tuesday, January 6, 7p.m. (tentatively)

No agenda. Just a get-together.

Questions? Call Gillian at 414-581-6919

2014 Annual Meeting

Financial and Stewardship Update

Don’t Miss the Annual meeting!

Sunday, January 25 in the sanctuary immediately following service

Childcare will be provided in Ihrman Hall

during the meeting.

A delicious pot luck meal in the downstairs dining room will follow the meeting

Copies of the 2014 Annual Report will be available

beginning Sunday, January 18th.

January and February Artwork to Benefit the Hospitality Center For the next two months, 100% of the sale price of your artwork—or art hanging around your home that you no longer want—will go to the support of the Hospitality Center where our homeless are sheltered from the cold, fed nutritious food, and given an opportunity for fellowship. We invite any artists or those who own art they would like to donate to bring their pieces, ready to hang, priced to sell, and clearly labelled (donor, medi-um, title, and price) to the First Pres chapel the first week in January so we can launch this special benefit ex-hibit. Have questions or need more info? Please contact Ellen Cardwell, Chapel Art Coordinator, ERCard-well@aol.com or 456-6336. Thank you!

The Milwaukee Presbytery's 2015 Discovery Day will be held on Saturday,

February 21st at Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Mequon from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Discovery Day will

be held in conjunction with the February Presbytery Meeting. This year’s theme is "Communicating Faith in

the 21st Century." Registration will soon be available.

This year, the Presbytery is asking churches, especially those in closer proximity to Crossroads Presbyteri-

an Church, to help with the setup for Discovery Day. Our brothers and sisters at Crossroads graciously

provide their facility for the event, but need help during the event as well as in preparing for and cleaning

up after the event. Setup will begin on Friday, February 20th at 9:00am and will end when the work is

complete. Those who are able to help come in the morning should come at a time that works best for

them. Following the event, help is also needed to restore the building ahead of Sunday worship. Many

hands make light work! Please contact Julie in the office if you can help.

The 2015 Discovery Day Common Mission Offering will support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance gifts of

the heart kits, specifically the School Kits. Items needed for each kit include:

1 - pair of blunt scissors (rounded tip)

3 - 70-count spiral notebooks or notebooks

(total 200-210 pages; no loose-leaf or filler paper.)

1 - 30-centimeter ruler (12")

1 - hand-held pencil sharpener

6 - new pencils with erasers

1 - large eraser

1 - box of 24 crayons

1 - cloth bag, 12" x 14" to 14" x 17" finished size, cotton or lightweight canvas, with cloth handles.

(Instructions for making this simple bag are available from the church office.)

Isabella Antonneau Jan. 1

Nathan Antonneau

Evelyn Alumbreros Jan. 3

Zachary Carpenter

Kim Plache Jan. 4

Roberta Moulds Jan. 5

Christopher Mason

Christopher Shelton Jan. 6

Susan Barry Jan. 9

Tammy LaMarr

Joshua Nitz

Nancy Tobias

Madeline Ford Jan. 10

Sylvia Johnston-Krase

Kay Mahl

Sarah Seversen Jan. 10

Jacob Warren

Logan Lehmann Jan. 12

Adam Joseph Nielsen Jan. 13

Jean Rowland

John Daniels Jan. 14

Amanda Hansen

Pamela Wortley

Molly Hall Jan. 15

Evan Humphreys

Ross LaMarr Jan. 17

Harrison Rose Jan. 18

Julie Voigt

Elisabeth Blandford Jan. 20

Cheryl Nitz Jan. 22

Julie Taggart

John Brooke Jan. 23

Janet Hoffman

Gabrielle Elzinga Jan. 24

Shawna Lehmann

Dennis Reeser Jan. 26

Olivia Karls Jan. 27

Lincoln Pitts Jan. 28

Susanne Doe

Julia Reeser

Jack Rowland

Amy Walton

Karla Johnston-Krase Jan. 29

Charles Knoedler Jan. 30

Bethany Nichols

Ben Wahlen Jan. 31

Tree Takedown

On Saturday, January 10 at 8:30 a.m., we will be taking down the

Christmas decorations in the sanctuary and

throughout the church.

We need some good, strong men to help with the tree, and ladies, the care you always put into

packing away the Chrismons and other decorations is what preserves them so

beautifully. Please join us!

Please join us on January 16 at 7:00 pm at Evelyn Vanderheyden’s home to discuss the book Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Olympics, by Daniel James Brown. This book is about the unlikely quest of a team composed of working-class col-lege boys on the University of Washington crew team. They beat the better known East Coast crew teams and then compete at Adolf Hitler’s Olympics. Please join us for food, fellowship, and a great discussion.

As part of the 175th Anniversary celebration, First Presbyterian Church is offering part three of

its lecture series. On Thursday, January 22, (snow date: January 29) Milton Dockery, Chair of

the History Department at MATC will discuss the Underground Railroad. Highly awarded, Pro-

fessor Dockery has been involved in setting up the Underground Railroad exhibit at the Racine

Historical Museum, and will bring this fascinating subject to life for us. Please invite your

friends, family, neighbors and colleagues to this free event. This presentation will take place in

Ihrman Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Avenue, beginning at 7:00 p.m. An infor-

mal reception will be held afterward.

Our sincere thanks go to Nancy DeKraay for her warm hospi-

tality in December. It was a real treat to enjoy the music of Car-

ol Christensen, accomplished violinist and concert master of the

Racine Symphony Orchestra.

Please note: There is no meeting for Deborah Circle scheduled

for January, 2015.

First Pres Readers

January Anniversaries

Our book, First Presbyterian Church: A 175-Year Legacy of Hope, has been published! The Afterword

quotes Rev. Dr. Craig Howard, Milwaukee Presbytery’s Executive Director for Strategic

Partnerships. Dr. Howard reflected on the changing role of churches in society:

“’The church was no longer the center of the cultural universe, but just another boat in the sea of

post-1960s cultural upheaval.’ Looking to the future he asked the congregation, ‘How would

the church have to change in order to meet this new world of mission?’ He concluded, ‘But

I am not worried about First Presbyterian. You have already been set up to succeed. The

Holy Spirit has placed a compass in your spirit. This compass pointed toward justice

and equality when the culture pointed toward enslavement. It is a compass that

pointed toward community connection for all people, when others believed

in separate but equal. It is a compass that points toward healing, both in the

arts and in the healthcare system. And when necessary, this compass makes

you take a sledgehammer to the past [referring specifically to the reconstruction

of the chancel] and start a new path. It is your God compass, it is your Spirit

compass, and it always points the way toward vision, mission, and true discipleship

in Jesus Christ. May it always be so. Amen.’”

Larry & Ellen Cardwell January 1, 1983 32 Years

Mike & Amy Pirtle January 3, 1987 28 Years

Les & Ann Lucareli January 9, 1953 62 Years

James & Kathy Yonker January 16, 1982 33 Years

Myron & Mary Ann Stahl January 28, 1967 48 Years

Decorating

Transformation Through Relationships

An Important Message from Craig M. Howard,

Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships

Monday and Tuesday I am at the annual Wisconsin Council of Churches meeting and Middle Governing Body leadership retreat. The theme for the event is "The Elephant in Our Living Room: Wisconsin's Racial Disparities and Challenges for the Church." We spend our time listening to presentations on racism and white privilege, and participating in small group conversations. I am uncomfortable and do not feel safe since there are about seven people of color in a room of 95 participants. As the leaders present the deplorable statistics about African Ameri-cans in Madison and Wisconsin, I feel embarrassed; I feel judged. The discussion on white privilege illustrates the everyday disadvantages African Americans have in our culture. I feel angry and ashamed. Now I have to part-ner with an old white man from northeast Wisconsin and talk about racism. This isn't looking good.

The first thing he tells me is that he is from the Latter Day Saints. He is a Mormon. The second thing he tells me is that his denomination is so white it is frightening. Then, he gently says, "But I have an African American grandchild." He goes on to discuss how this grandson is the joy of his life, and yet he worries about his future. How will growing up in an all-white community in Wisconsin affect him? Will his teachers pre-judge him be-cause of his rambunctious energy and the color of his skin? Will he be safe in his community from other chil-dren? From the police? This old white Mormon man from northeast Wisconsin loves his black grandchild. And he wants society to change in order to welcome his grandchild as equal; he wants his grandchild to be empowered to dream and live a full life of freedom and possibility.

And so do I.

I believe we should attend workshops on racism and continue to learn about this vital topic. But I believe the greatest opportunity for change will occur as we come to learn, know, and love others who are very different than we are. Perhaps this is why our society's acceptance of gays and lesbians has occurred so fast. The gay communi-ty shifted from being "those people" to being our sons and daughters, our uncles and grandchildren, and now our friends. "Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)," beginning with our own sin of assumptions, prejudice, and stereotypes, and our biggest sin of all, fear.

During this season, as we move into the new year, let's do the hard work of understanding the stranger, welcom-ing the alien, and getting to know others outside of our areas of comfort. Rev. Craig M. Howard