february 2020...prakash mathew event, but you'll have them for other times! march 8th after...
TRANSCRIPT
Ministers: The People of the Church Pastor: Kevin Clark
FCC associates with sister churches in the Wis. Congregational Association & National Association of Congregational Christian Churches
Our Covenant Connections
February 2020
Sabbatical
As you may have already heard, I have a sabbatical coming up. For some of you this may come as a surprise. But
please, rest assured, the leadership of this church has been taking steps over the last couple years to prepare for this
sabbatical. God continues to be very good to the church, and that won’t stop! But I would like to take this
opportunity to talk a little about sabbatical in general, and my sabbatical specifically.
What is a sabbatical? It is a period of paid leave granted to a pastor by a church for a time of intentional spiritual
renewal and refreshing. The idea being that a renewed and refreshed pastor can better strengthen and lead a
congregation. Sabbaticals are not vacations, but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for regaining
enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.
When will you be on sabbatical? As of right now, the plan is to be on sabbatical from January 1st, 2021 through June
30th
, 2021.
Who will preach and handle pastoral responsibilities? The Church Council will work diligently this year to line up an
excellent fill-in pastor during this sabbatical. This individual will be an ordained minister and will be able to handle
all the functions of pastoral ministry in the church.
How will we pay for this fill-in pastor? The leadership of the church has been preparing for this sabbatical for the last
two years. We currently have $22,000 set aside to pay for this person’s salary. In addition, we may be putting
addition money away this year (depending on the recommendation of the Long-Range Planning Team). In addition, I
am working with a Sabbatical Squad (Al Haeger, Joanne Himebauch and Jean Brocker) to apply for a grant to help
with funding this sabbatical.
Can we reach you in an emergency? The purpose of the sabbatical is for the pastor to step away from day-to-day
responsibilities to take time to refresh and renew. The fill-in pastor will be able to handle all pastoral responsibilities
while I am away. Contact between church and pastor is strongly discouraged during this time.
What will you be doing on your sabbatical? Right now, I am planning to take a 14-day tour of the Holy Land with
Ashley. Then our entire family is planning to do some mission work at an orphanage in Thailand. And the rest of the
details are still being worked out. Much of my plan for the sabbatical will depend on whether or not we receive the
grant we are applying for. As details solidify, the Sabbatical Squad will be negotiating the details of the sabbatical
with the Church Council. Once an agreement is reached, I will be more-than-happy to share these plans with the
entire congregation.
What if I have other questions or concerns about this sabbatical? Please feel free to contact me, any of the members
of the Sabbatical Squad mentioned above, or anyone on the Church Council.
I look forward to an excellent year of ministry and preparation this year. This is an amazing church, and although I
don’t want to be away from my church family for six months, I can confidently approach this sabbatical knowing this
is a faithful church with great leadership and God will provide!
In Christ,
Pastor Kevin
In Christ,
Pastor Kevin
Church Council / Staff
Moderator- Prakash Mathew ................. 262-436-4025
Moderator Elect-Pat Parr ....................... 262.806.2243
Treasurer-Linda Haeger ........................ 262-642-7723
Secretary-Joanne Himebauch ............... 262-363-8144
Budget & Finance-Ryan Venema .......... 262-749-8380
Property & Grounds-Bob Brandemuehl . 262-227-6629
Worship-Jan Snavely ............................ 262-720-3018
Congregational Care-Karen Jones ........ 262.470.7538
Missions-Diane Williams ....................... 608-274-5597
Christian Education-Sue Roberts .......... 262.378.4695
Staff
Organist/Choir Director-Marni Wiggins .... 262-521-1406
Office Admin. - Judi Weyer ............... .... 262-363-7249
Pastor
Kevin Clark ............................................ 262-975-1026
Birthdays This Month
Karla Hartley ...........................................................2/1
Carolyn Connelly .....................................................2/4
Bev Webber ............................................................2/6
Ken Cutt ..................................................................2/8
Terry Buchmann ......................................................2/9
Dorothy Schrader .................................................. 2/11
Sebastian Ballard .................................................. 2/11
Al Haeger .............................................................. 2/12
Glenn Kreinus ....................................................... 2/19
Connie Mitchell ...................................................... 2/20
Jess Ballard ........................................................... 2/20
Kathryn Clark ........................................................ 2/21
Jean Brocker ......................................................... 2/23
Kelly Blevins .......................................................... 2/24
Tom Rowntree ....................................................... 2/27
Wedding Anniversaries
Jean Brocker & Bernie Fraser ............................... 2/12
Greg & Linda Garasimowicz .................................. 2/14
Tom & Sue Roberts ............................................... 2/14
Robert & Carol Bartholomew ................................. 2/23
Tom & Kay Rowntree ............................................ 2/27
Jack & Judy Rudolph ............................................. 2/28
Please drop a note to the church office to have your
birthday or anniversary included here.
Group 1
3/1
2/16
2/23
71
1/19
Women's Fellowship
1/12
60
12/29 1/5
73
Glenn K
Date
Front
Porch Ushers
Group 2
Group 12/2
2/9
Sue / Tom
Lydia Prakash MReyna / Diane
Liturgist
Zach BClaire / Linda
Sara / Cindy
67
Servant Schedule
Articles for the March Newsletter are
due in the office by 8:00 am on Fri. Feb. 28
Attendance
Group 2Joanne /
Terry
Notice: Photographs taken at church events are
included in the newsletter, on our website and our
Facebook page. If you would prefer not to have your
photo posted to any of these forums,
please contact the church office.
Group 3
Sunday
School
Nursery
Helper
First Congregational Church of Mukwonago 231 Roberts Drive Mukwonago, WI 53149 www.fccweb.net
Church Office .................................... 262-363-7249
Pastor Kevin Clark ............................. 262-975-1026
Marni Wiggins
Organist/Choir Director ........... [email protected]
Prayer Chain ............................. [email protected]
Visitation Ministry ......................... [email protected]
CONTACT US
Financial information is available in the binder on
the Connection Table. If you have any questions,
please contact the church office.
Greetings FCC family!
Your council kicked off with their first meeting for the year on Jan 8. As always, the combined diligence, experience and attention to detail in the room was impressive. I rest assured, as you should too, that the operational affairs of our local church are in capable hands. Please pray God's favor upon us at FCC, would continue.
It feels good that we are not currently operating in an emergency mode (as is sadly, often the case in many smaller churches). That being said, there will be a number of choices and decisions to make over the course of the year. These may not urgent, but are still, very important. They have the potential for long lasting impact to the quality of our growth, effectiveness and fellowship at FCC.
As your council tackles these issues, we will require your prayerful input, guidance and direction. It isn't so much about agreeing or disagreeing as much as it is about ENGAGING. So my appeal to you is, when council requests your thoughts and feedback, please engage enthusiastically. If something is unclear, please ask someone on council. Or self educate yourself as much as possible, regarding an issue. Please roll up your mental sleeves and participate wholeheartedly. And when necessary, please cheerfully engage in your time honored congregational prerogative - the ballot box. Did I mention we really covet your engagement?
In His name,
Prakash Mathew
March 8th After Worship
Annual Reports will be available to the
congregation on Feb. 23rd. Ministry teams need to have their reports for the year 2019 to the office by
February 10th.
Furnishings Committee
At the last meeting of the Long-Range Planning
Committee, we discussed putting the redecorating
of the large Sunday School room as high priority for
2020. The Furnishings Committee would like your
input as we go forward. This room is not only being
used for Pastor Kevin’s Sunday morning Bible
class, but also Red Cross blood drives and plastic
bag cutting for mats to be used by the homeless.
This room is also being used for storage by other
ministries: Women’s Fellowship, Knitters, Nursery,
and the choir has file cabinets for their music in
there. Additionally, the Mukwonago Area
Community Choir is also storing their keyboard and
chair and show lights in this room. We would like to
hear what your thoughts are on other possibilities of
turning this into a Multi-Purpose room that can be
used by church members and people from the
community. We are asking that you put your ideas
in writing during these next two weeks. The
deadline for submitting your ideas is February 14.
We hope to hear from you. After receiving your
ideas, the Furnishings Committee will determine
what direction to go in redoing this room.
Beth Petersen [email protected]
Rae-Ellen Preuss [email protected]
Jean Brocker [email protected]
Jan Beilfuss [email protected]
Jan Snavely [email protected]
Wear Your FCC T-shirt on Feb. 16 On February 16, the Sunday school children will be singing in church. They will be wearing their FCC T-shirts under their choir robes. We encourage ALL of our members to wear their FCC T-shirts on that Sunday. For those of you who don't have an FCC T-shirt, we will be placing another order shortly after that date. Sorry you won't have them in time for this event, but you'll have them for other times!
In the past month we have received many notes of thanks from organizations blessed by our church’s mission fund.
The sheets and toiletry items collected for the Salvation Army in Waukesha were put to immediate use. “Thank you so very much for your kind donations of the many needed items for our Emergency Shelter. They will be put to good use by the homeless men who are currently staying with us. May God bless you all for the wonderful items you gave us.”
In our own neighborhood, both cash gifts and collections of goods were donated to the Mukwonago Food Pantry and the Mukwonago Community Commission which runs the Kitchen Cupboard Food Pantry. You may not be aware, the Kitchen Cupboard serves not only those who live in Mukwonago, but anyone who attends a local church. “‘Thank you’ may only be two small words. But, what your financial donation accomplishes is big.”
As a church we are so blessed to be able to share with others. The mission’s team meets once each month and you are welcome to join us!
Karen Mathew
---------------------
More Thank You’s from Our 2019 Disbursements
From Seniors on the Go!:
“Dear Members of First Congregational Church: On behalf of Seniors on the Go, I wish to thank you for your recent donation of $1,500. All proceeds benefit SOTG to help offset expenses for the growth of our transportation service. Not only do we continue to provide rides for our senior citizens; as the need of everyday transportation expands it now includes rides for individuals with disabilities in the Mukwonago and surrounding areas. This is done with a very reasonable cost to individuals. We deeply appreciate your gift. Thank you again for your generosity. Jack Wieber, Program Director. “
And from Debbie at Seniors on the Go!: “Thank you for your support. Seniors on the Go! will reach 36,000 transports this year. The growth of our service has no end in helping those in need. We are looking at 200 plus rides a day next year. Thank you, Debbie.”
From CEF and Good News Club:
“Dear First Congregational Church of Mukwonago, Thank you so much for your very generous additional gift to our Good News Club fund this Christmas! Your gift will help a Good News Club in Racine that lost their church sponsor due to a leadership change and perhaps some other clubs that are currently funded by generous individuals. We are so grateful for your church and your partnership over the past two years and so grateful for your commitment to the Gospel. God Bless You!” – Maribeth Pipkorn
Linda Garasimowicz
February Fellowship Event
God's Trombones - a Musical These classic “folk” sermons, handed down through generations, burst into life on the Morning Star stage. Weaving together great spirituals, scripture, power, poetry and passion, this worshipful musical review will set your toes tapping, bring a tear to your eye, and lift your heart in praise to God!
Seven folk sermons that were passed down in those days, will burst into life onstage in the following stories: The Creation The Prodigal Son Go Down Death Noah Built the Ark The Crucifixion Let My People Go and the bonus preachin' - Do You Know Him? February 23, 2020 ~ 3 pm at Eastbrook Church,
5385 N Green Bay Ave., Milwaukee.
We will meet at FCC at 2 pm to car pool. Tickets are $15. Please pay Joanne Himebauch. (If we can get a group of 10, our cost is reduced to $10.)
Bag Cutting
We will be cutting plastic bags on Feb. 11 from 10:00 - 2:00. Lunch will be provided. If you would like to do work at home, please see Diane Williams or Janine Coley.
Newsletter by Email Would you prefer to receive your newsletter by email? Please contact the office at [email protected] or 262-363-7249 and let us know. Thank you!
Our friends at Brolen Meadows
231 ROBERTS DRIVE
MUKWONAGO, WISCONSIN 53149-1129
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