F IRSTNEWS MONTHLY

January 2012

2 0 1 3 Music, mission, ministry… Where tradition meets today’s world!

november First Presbyterian Church

Racine, Wisconsin 53403

175 Years—a Legacy of Faith

Five years ago, I hadn’t been your pastor for very long when Dan Mason took me on a tour of the church building. I’d already seen all the classrooms and broom closets, but this tour was different, as Dan thought it was important that I see everything—deep storage, crawlspaces, attics, the steeple… An enduring image from that in-depth tour of our building was the sight of the old growth pine timbers that hold up the roof over our sanctuary. They’re enormous and beautiful—the kind of wood you just don’t see any more, especially in new construction projects. Dan explained to me that members of our congregation trekked up to northern Wisconsin to hand pick the trees that would be used, and that once the timbers were brought to Racine, workers used mule teams and block and tackle to hoist them up high and into place. Just like in our sanctuary, right above our sanctuary is a nice place to grab a quiet moment, reflect, pray, and listen. As we approach our 175th year, I’ve been thinking about those pine timbers and drawing inspiration from the faith that put them there. Our stewardship theme this month is “175 Years—A Legacy of Faith.” As we make our financial pledges to the ministries of First Presbyterian Church, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the faith of those who’ve gone before us and the legacy of faith that continues to unfold in our midst as we, too, seek God’s direction in our lives. We have some “big timbers” to put into place! In 2014, we will call an Associate Pastor for Youth and Children’s Ministries to come and minister with us, and we will continue to grow in ministries of Christian formation and outreach. Please come to worship on Sunday, November 24, and with faith and courage, let us continue to build our church! Peace, Pastor Ben

Stewardship Sunday is November 24th.

Pastor

Ben Johnston-Krase

Visitation Pastor Steven C. Fringer

Director of Children

and Youth Ministries Nikki Blanks

Organist

Gerald E. Buck

Choir Director

Alejandro Alumbreros

Music Leader

Mark Paffrath

Handbell Choir Director

Nancy Buck

Office Administrator Julie Nondorf

Financial Secretary

Doris Deschler

e-mail:

FirstPresRacine@wi.rr.com

Web site:

www.FirstPresRacine.org

Pastor’s blog:

SayingGraces.com

ORGANIZED IN 1839

MUSIC, MISSION, MINISTRY...

WHERE TRADITION

MEETS TODAY’S WORLD

716 COLLEGE AVENUE

RACINE, WI 53403-1283

262.632.1686

PLEASE RECYCLE

Sexton

Leneen Schrieffer

2013 Edition; Volume 11

CIRCLE Deborah

This month we’ll partake in our annual November tradition of making

Christmas cards for those folks who—for one reason or another—can’t

join us in worship most Sundays. Maybe it’s distance, college, health, or a

military commitment...whatever the reason, we always have a great time

getting creative and just being together preparing for the holidays in this

special way. Please join us in the chapel here at First Pres at noon, on

Tuesday, November 12th. Bring a lunch!

SENIOR GEMS—NOT JUST FOR GIRLS!

Handbell Scheduling Reminder

The Handbell Choir will have regular

rehearsals on Wednesdays, at 7 p.m. on November 6th, 13th, and 20th.

Due to Turkey Day, we will NOT rehearse on November 27th.

Turkey Day?

They’re finally

recognizing me for all

my greatness!

Deborah Circle will be taking a break during the month of November. Please watch your bulletins for news of our December 2013 event.

The whole gang of us had such a great time touring the Wind Point Lighthouse in October.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the fun—join us this month! We look forward to seeing you!

FINANCIAL and STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Mission Cornerstone Session News

Hopefully all of you had a wonderful Halloween! Our candy cupboard is now overflowing, much to the delight of four kids.

September this year was bountiful for the church compared to last September. Our income was $21,879, which was over 3%

higher than the income of $21,262 from last September. Year-to-date income is now $239,118 compared to $213,945 last

year (the difference is +$25,173 or +11.8%). We are tracking just ahead of our budgeted income based on last year’s pace.

Expenditures in September were on budget at $29,482, resulting in a net loss of ($7,603) for the month. Last

September we had similar costs of $29,091 for a slightly larger net loss of ($7,829). Year-to-date expenditures are now

$274,684 for a net loss of ($35,566). At this point last year we had expenses of $251,245 with a

net loss of ($37,300). Costs are up this year primarily due to planned payroll increases and

maintenance.

This month’s Angel is Pam Simpson. Pam formerly served as a Deacon and is currently the

artistic genius who works hard to keep the bulletin boards in Ihrman Hall up to date and look-

ing so gorgeous. No one can make every-day news look as appealing as she does! Pam also

helps out in the office, organizing and tidying things up so nothing important gets lost, and is

the brain behind the scenes of lots of other miscellaneous things around First Pres, such as the

craft table at Party on the Pavement 2012 and this year’s book-bag blessing. Thanks for all you

do, Pam. Your church family appreciates you!

Ed Holle

Treasurer

Please plan ahead for the Alternative Christmas Market,

which will be held in Ihrman Hall on Sunday, December 8th.

Many local service organizations will be present, and as

always will welcome our support and the opportunity to be

"seen.”

This type of giving makes a really special and meaningful

Christmas gift for a loved one. Debbie Yale, a Mission

Committee Member, will be leading the way on this event.

Thanks Deb! Feel free to contact her with any questions.

As always, thank you so much for all you do for the local and

global community!

Peace in Our Neighborhoods,

Kathi Wilson

Mission Committee Chair

As we enter the holiday season, the church is also entering into

Stewardship time. Session has adopted a budget for 2014 that

continues to include visions of growing our church and providing

services and ways to express the congregation’s faith. Look for

announcements of when informational meetings will be held.

We still need a chair for our Buildings and Grounds committee.

You don’t necessarily have to be a handy-person, but have a

willingness to learn about the repair and maintenance needs of the

church building and arrange for solutions to those problems.

Lastly, Session has developed a committee to arrange the actual

celebrations that will occur during our 175th anniversary year.

Bruce Armstrong will chair this committee. Other Session

members are Renate Muir and Debby Capener. We hope to

compliment the wonderful work being done by the Archive

Committee, chaired by Pam Wortley, and the History Book

Committee, chaired by Dave Holle.

In Faith,

Debby Capener

Clerk of Session

Angel Pam Simpson

November Babies!

Jennifer Unger Nov. 2

Ryan Eifert Nov. 3

Zachary Eifert

Margaret Ford Nov. 5

Sheila Lawrence

Denise Harris Nov. 7

Elliott Harris Nov. 8

Amy Schaal

Cathy Yonker

Vivian Clark Nov. 13

Beverly Eifert

Garvin Shankster Nov. 13

Myron Stahl

Nancy Knoedler Nov. 15

Eleanore Hunt Nov. 16

Patrick Tews

Kathryn Randall Nov. 17

Margaret Wagner

Warren DeKraay, Jr. Nov. 18

Autumn Eifert

Dana Griffith

Joseph Hutcherson

Christopher Hansen Nov. 19

Amy Pirtle Nov. 21

Jennifer Seversen Nov. 23

Jennifer Wright

William Gunderson Nov. 25

Nancy Bucklew Nov. 26

Carolyn Christensen Nov. 27

Annli Nakayama Nov. 29

Dominick Wagner Pina Nov. 29

Aaron Wingate Nov. 30

James Yonker

Elizabeth Moses, former DCE and member of the church, was ordained and installed as co-pastor of the "Little Egypt

Multi-Parish Project" on Sunday, Sept. 29. 2013. She is serving as co-pastor of three churches in southeastern

Illinois (1st. Carmi, 1st. Eldorado, and 1st. Harrisburg). This is a special project of the Presbytery of Southeastern

Illinois where three churches have partnered to share the leadership of two pastors. She thanks everyone for their

prayers and support, as it was under the care of 1st Presbyteriabn Church, Racine, that she began the process

toward ordination. She and Jennell are now living in Harrisburg, Il. Her current address is 14 Fox Hollow Drive,

Harrisburgh, IL 62946.

—Kitty Collins

It’s That Time Again…

Time for Decorating the Sanctuary!

The Worship and Welcome Committee would like to start

decorating the church at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, November

30th. We will work until this joyful job is finished. We’ll

need some strong men for the very large and tall Christmas

tree and for hanging the big wreaths. We need some ladies

to help with the ornaments and decorating. I'm looking for-

ward to transforming our beautiful church for the Christ-

mas season. If you are interested in helping us decorate for

Christmas, or if you have questions, please call Committee

Chair, Renate Muir, at 637-3450. All who can help or

would like to be there are welcome.

We have a history book on the way and lots of historic documents are being

archived, but we also need to CELEBRATE our 175th year as a congregation. A

planning group has been formed, and we need volunteers to take the lead to

make the events happen. Ideas that have been generated include a lecture

series, highlighting prominent members of the church over time, celebrating

worship as it would have been in the past, a challenge to provide 175 of

something to the community (i.e. 175 hours of volunteering, $175 to various

groups or agencies), and commissioning something as a tribute that will last

beyond 175 years. And of course, banquets, open house, etc. Join us to

continue to plan at Dewey’s Restaurant (corner of Main and Sixth) at noon on

November 3. Please RSVP to Debby Capener at 930-9713. Any questions?

Contact Debby, Bruce Armstrong, or Renate Muir.

News from the Deacon Board

The Deacons are once again preparing for the Christmas basket

and Angel Tree projects! Two reverse offering for the

collection of food items will take place: one Sunday, Novem-

ber 3rd and one on Sunday, November 17th. We will also have

our Angel Tree again this year. Those wishing to provide gifts

for needy families can choose an angel from the tree in Ihrman

Hall, which will be decorated and ready for picking after the

Potluck, Packers & Presbyterians Event on November the 24th.

We would like to receive all wrapped packages with Angel

tags attached returned and under the Angel Tree by Sunday,

December 15.

So much to do...so little time? Too heavy, too big, too

overwhelming, too high? Help is available with Rent-A-

Youth! We do yard work, organizing, cleaning, comput-

ers, and more for a donation to the Summer Youth

Mission Trips! Contact Ben Neal for information and

appointments. You can email beneal@hotmail.com or

phone Ben at 262-497-6545. Thanks!

Your

“Member Updates.”

Please submit your

PHOTOS and NEWS—

whether a change of

address/ phone/ email,

a new job, baby or

grandbaby, a baptism,

death, wedding, etc.—

to Julie in the office at

FirstPresRacine@wi.rr.com

or by phone at

262-632-1686.

Submissions for the

December

newsletter must be

turned in early:

by November 11th.

Thanks!

Charles &Nancy Knoedler November 3rd 62 years

Ko & Myrna Kryger November 11th 24 years

R. William & Alice Schaefer November 11th 63 years

Wayne &Charlotte Hartman November 24th 68 years

History corner

Congratulations to Denise and Andy Parks who

welcome new grandbaby, Ruby Elise Baker. Ruby was born August 17th, weighing 8 pounds, 1

ounce. She was twenty inches. What a blessing!

Condolences to Betty Burdick and all friends

and family of Dick Burdick. Dick died on

October 13th. Condolences may be sent

to Dick’s family at:

www.meredithfuneralhome.com

Our prayers are with the

family of Ellen Smith who passed away on October 20. Condolences may be

sent to the family at:

Rick Smith & family 8820 S. 15th Avenue

Oak Creek, WI 53154

Our prayers are with the

family and friends of long-time member Helene

(Gerry) Hay, who died on September 25, 2013 at the age of 95. We’ll miss you!

Little Ben Nondorf, son of our office administra-tor, Julie Nondorf, would like to thank everyone at First Pres for their kind wishes, cheerful cards, and much-appreciated

gifts during the healing of his broken arm.

Chapel Art Show News

The late fall/Advent chapel art show is themed Giving Thanks for God's Bounty. This exhibit will remain in the chapel until December 29th.

Please bring your artwork to the chapel for labeling and display. All art

mediums are welcome from any aged artist. Church or community members

from throughout Racine, Oak Creek, Kenosha, etc., are welcome.

Please make sure that all art is clearly identified with contact information and

hanging art has a wire in the back so it can be hung. For more information,

please contact Ellen Cardwell, Chapel Art Coordinator, 456-6336 or

ERCardwell@aol.com

First Presbyterian Church’s contracted writer, Mark S. Hertzberg, is working to provide

written material and images for the assemblage of the Church's 175 year history

publication. He will produce these materials in accordance with the following Session-

-approved schedule: Mark will write on subjects that are of general

interest to the members and readers. Mark has recently provided a

descriptive outline of the publication. By February 28, 2014 he will

provide the first half of the first draft of the publication. This

material will be read, revisions suggestions will be made by the

History Committee, Session will provide approval and a first draft of

the entire publication will be ready by May 31, 2014.

The completed, revised publication submission will be provided no

later than September 1, 2014. The final publication will be

professionally designed and laid out before being submitted for print-

ing. The goal? To have the publication ready by December 1, 2014.

Please contact Dave Holle if you wish to help with this process. We

need to gather more material quickly for this publication and for use

during the 2014 year long celebration of First Presbyterian Church.

Montreat Conference Center is one of three national conference

centers affiliated with the PC(USA). It is annually visited by

over 35,000 people seeking physical and spiritual renewal in the

beautiful mountains of western North Carolina.

We will come together as a community of faith in this sacred place. Free of distraction, we will focus on the God who accepts us just as

we are. While we have fun with friends, we will celebrate God through meaningful, creative, and interactive worship. Youth will be in-

spired and challenged to affirm and deepen their sense of Christian identity. Registration opens this fall!

The Montreat Youth Conference is designed for high school students, entering freshmen through graduated seniors, and their adult

leaders. It is a unique gathering of young people from all over the country for a week of study, worship, and recreation. Activities

include morning energizers, music, keynote, small group meetings, afternoon recreation activities, and evening worship.

Curious? Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXshFYbIFJU&list=PLlb6Fj5mF0tu8xZDCtmrgEdNCBQw50ZJo

Total cost: $600.00 per young person includes registration, housing and meals.

The Presbytery of Milwaukee is generously covering costs associated with transportation.

Montreat is making available and additional scholarship.

We anticipate the final cost to families to be $550 per person.

Since registration is limited to 40 participants-taken on a first come basis, act quickly.

To share in this exciting opportunity, contact Pastor Ben for a registration form right away!

Parish Nurse Notes

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, what comes to mind? For many, it is a time of family gatherings,

lots of delicious food, pumpkin pie, and of course, TURKEY! There is probably no other food that brings to mind

images of family, friends, and giving thanks than turkey. There are many different varieties of turkey cuts. You do not always have to

purchase or cook and entire bird to enjoy it year-round. Turkey is available in individual turkey pieces such as breasts, tenderloins, cut-

lets, and even ground. Ground turkey is a wonderful substitute for many ground beef recipes, as it does not contain nearly the amount of

fat as ground beef. Preparing a turkey by baking, breading, or basting it with broth, minimal oil, lemon, or orange juice to help keep the

fat content down.

Turkey is an excellent source of protein. A four-ounce serving provides 65% of the daily value of protein. It also has about 12% of the

daily value for saturated fat – about half the amount of saturated fat found in red meat.

Many of us feel very tired after eating a big turkey dinner. This is not because you are too full and just overate. It is because of the amino

acid tryptophan that is found in turkey. Tryptophan plays a vital role in sleep and is effective in promoting sleep in insomniacs. Seroto-

nin, a neuro-transmitter that is made from tryptophan, helps to improve mood. Eating turkey, which contains a high amount of trypto-

phan, can help improve one’s mood, and has been shown to help with depression. In addition, a five-ounce serving of turkey

provides almost half of the recommended daily allowance of folic acid. It is also a good source of vitamins B (niacin) and B6, which is

important for energy production.

Now it is time to go ahead and gobble up your Thanksgiving dinner knowing about its vast nutritional value and many health benefits.

May your Thanksgiving be blessed with remembrances of God’s mercy and faithfulness.

God’s blessings,

Peggy Taylor, RN

Parish Nurse