F IRSTNEWS MONTHLY

January 2012

First Presbyterian Church

Racine, Wisconsin 53403

2013 Music, mission, ministry… Where tradition meets today’s world!

Our Hands of Hope

Teresa of Ávila was born in 1515 and she died in 1582, but these words are as fresh and relevant as ever:

“Christ has no body now, but yours. No hands, no feet on earth, but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ looks compassion into the world. Yours are the feet with which Christ walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which Christ blesses the world.”

As we continue to celebrate this season of Easter, we remember that Christ’s body cannot be bound to any tomb of our making. Rather, Christ dwells in our lives—in our actions and intentions—for we are the body of Christ. The more we live into the truth of that message, the more we find ourselves in tune with God’s intentions in our world.

May brings to us an exciting season in which to remember our participation as members of Christ’s body. As you may know, our Mission Committee is leading us again into a season of education, advocacy, and sharing through our One Great Hour – Hand of Hope Campaign. By now you may have received a letter describing this year’s campaign. Our theme in 2013 high-lights care and concern for veterans, and I’m pleased that the Mission Committee has made connections with individuals and agencies in our community serving veterans and their families.

Please take many moments this month to pray for our veterans, and to be especially mindful of those who depend on the support and mental health resources that we are supporting through this year’s campaign. Pray also for the efforts of our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA) as it strives to meet needs throughout the world with the moneys given through One Great Hour of Sharing.

Grace and Peace,

Pentecost Sunday, May 19th , is a very important day on our Christian Education calendar! Here is a list of special events you wont want to miss, all happening here at First Pres on Pentecost Sunday!

Second 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 see page 6 for more info.) It’s going to be a ton of fun, so join us May 19th!

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 Assistant Julie Nondorf

Financial Secretary

Doris Deschler

e-mail:

FirstPresRacine@wi.rr.com

Web site:

www.FirstPresRacine.org

Pastor’s blog:

SayingGraces.com

First Presbyterian

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

SONFIRE FUNDRAISING NEWS

Cut & Carry Coupon

On Tuesday, May 7th, you’ll have one final chance to support the Sonfire Youth Group’s upcoming mission trip, and you can eat some delicious food in the process! All you need to do is cut out the certificate below and bring it with you to the Charcoal Grill on Highway 20. Make sure to give the slip to your server and 10% of your bill will be donated to the youth group!

The Sonfire Youth Group is doing great at fundraising this year thanks to many generous

donations from you, and especially from Ed Holle and Deb Capener, who each went out of

their way to support the Sonfire Youth Group! Ed arranged for 28 computers to be donated

from the Racine Journal-Times to our youth group, and Deb generously donated unused donut

funds toward the mission trip! Thanks to these and other generous donations, we are almost

to our goal of $6,000! Thank you to everyone who has participated in our variety of fundrais-

ers! Here’s a summary of what we’ve earned so far:

Special Donation of Donut Money from Deb Capener: $2414.40

Mission Trip Miles and Other Generous Donations: $1,611

Flower Power Campaign: $100

Silpada Jewelry Fundraiser: $490

Pancake Breakfast: $866

Rent-A-Youth: $50

Computer Recycling: This event is estimated to bring in about

$400… The exact figures will be available

once we’ve recycled the computers!

Total: $5,931.40

It’s hard to believe, but summer is almost upon us. Sunday,

May 12th will be our final day of Sunday school and Adult

Education. Classes will resume in early September, 2013!

Attention

Young Adults!

Special info just for

you can be found in

the green insert of

this month’s edition

of FirstNews

Monthly!

Rowf! Now that’s

something to bark

about!

FINANCIAL and STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Mission Cornerstone

Our Hand of Hope/ One Great Hour of Sharing Fundraising Drive this year is supporting our veterans.

The main issues our young men and women face are:

1. The need for counseling to identify and resolve conflict, including education for spouses on the signs and

symptoms of post-deployment stress. Marital/couple conflict is very often present as many of these relationships are

new and may involve a child born just before or during deployment.

2. Post-deployment stress, which often includes anger, alcohol abuse, depression, and other emotional issues, even

— even suicidal ideation. Suicide prevention is a national issue and it has been suggested that we are losing 22

veterans a day to suicide. Much of counseling is focused on suicide prevention and helping Veterans access resources.

3: Healing of veterans, families and the community. An effective way to accelerate the healing process is through

education activities such as weekend retreats that allows for an intensive experience involving veterans, family and

community members.

4: Homelessness, which is very often linked to unemployment. Young veterans have much on their plate when they

come home. Sometimes the challenges prove to be overwhelming and resources are needed for a veteran to regain their

footing.

To be successful in helping Racine veterans and their families adjust and heal will take a community effort. Please

consider these needs when making your donation to Hand of Hope this year.

Peace,

Kathi Wilson,

Mission Chairperson

Thanks, Angels Georgia Hall

(left) and Nancy Gaskin!

Good news on the financial front from a bountiful March! In March, our income was $43,555—more than double the

$18,450 of income from last March! Year-to-date income is now $83,323 this year compared to $64,321 last year,

(difference is + $19,002). Even though I have only been Treasurer for a few months now, this March was very

impressive…thank you!!

Costs in March were as expected with a little extra spending for snow removal. Costs were $30,653 resulting in a net

gain of $12,902 for the month. Last March we had costs of $26,669 with a net loss of ($8,219). Year-to-date costs are

now $93,003 for a net loss of ($9,680). At this point last year we had costs of $79,500 with a net loss of ($15,179).

Costs are up this year primarily due to planned payroll increases and maintenance costs including snow removal.

March’s Angels of the Month are Georgia Hall and Nancy Gaskin! They contribute their

time and talents to the church regularly. Georgia and Nancy set up and take down Taizé

each month. They also make soup and bread for the Lenten Wednesday Supper and

Substance meals and help out with so many other things around First Pres. Thank you,

Georgia and Nancy, for your many on-going and appreciated contributions to our church!

And thank you for your nominations. If you have a nominee(s) for Angel of the Month,

please e-mail the information to angelofthemonth@ymail.com, or complete a nomination

form that can be found in the office, or let Julie in the office, or me, know. Thanks!

Ed Holle

Treasurer

Volunteers Needed for Underground Railroad Tours We are approaching the busy season for our tours. We have many schools and three senior groups already

signed up to visit. More school visits are quite possible. Our volunteers are retirees who have

many commitments, travel, and health issues which prevent them from being

available on various dates. We really need more volunteers to help accomplish this outreach/education ministry. It is not difficult, but it is rewarding. Training is

informal does not take long. Please call the church office, 632-1686, or Jerry, 456

-6605, to volunteer.

Mission Cornerstone

Deacon News

The Sr. Gems are planning a May trip to the beautiful Milwaukee Domes! We will

leave from the west end of the parking lot by Pick-N-Save (the one at the intersection

of Four Mile and Douglas) at 10:30 a.m. and will stop for a relaxing time of fellow-

ship and food on the way back into town after our tour.

So….What date works better for you? Have ideas of where you’d like to stop for

lunch? We will go on either May 7 or May 14, depending on how many can attend.

We are also are looking for drivers to volunteer for the carpool. Please be sure to

R.S.V.P to Leah Fisher by Sunday no later than Monday, May 6 at 886-5772.

S E N I O R G E M S

Join us for the last service of the season: peaceful, meditative, candlelit worship that’s unlike any other.

Wednesday,

May 1st,

6:00 pm

in the Chapel. ÉÉ

The Deacons have been active at Christ-mas time with the Angel Tree and the collection and distri-bution of the Food Baskets, and they

have now taken up a new mission: serving Com-munion to people who find they are unable to get to church, but would still like to take participate in this aspect of worship.

Bringing Communion to the homebound has come

to signify as much to the servers as to the receiv-ers. The intimate setting of a home, bedside, or care facility has given expanded meaning to the Sacrament for all those involved. There's a very intimate nature to the service that's very moving and restorative.

If you or anyone you know of might have a desire

to be served Communion, please contact Julie in the office by phone at 632-1686 or email at firstpresracine@wi.rr.com

TA I Z

Come and celebrate the spring exhibit, From Holy Days through Holidays: A Time for Transition , w ith us! We’ll be hosting a First Friday Reception on

May 3 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm, where attendees will have a chance to meet the artists, including Cindy Gleason, Ron Horvath, Thom Peterson, Leah

Fisher, Don Tobias, John Falk, Jayne Miner, Charla Davis, Nick Cibrario,

Jean Sullivan, Paula Touhey, Dina Walker, Ellen Cardwell, and Larry Card-

well. It also happens to be artist Cindy Gleason’s 80 th birthday, and we will

have a birthday cake and light refreshments to celebrate. Your family and friends are invited to attend, and perhaps purchase one of many of the

pieces in this show , which are for sale.

This spring exhibit will up until May 19, with pick-up taking place through

May 25 th.The Early Summer art exhibit will be hung the week of June 2. Our theme will be God’s World is Green. We invite you to submit any creations

based on that theme including those using found or recycled objects. Art-

ists using any medium – watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastel, photography, col-

lage, needlework, pottery or jewelry – are welcome to bring their artwork.

In addition to all our regulars, we are especially interested in artwork from

youth and teens. And we will also take donated artwork you are eager to part with.

All pieces of two dimensional artwork should be matted and framed and

capable of being hung on hooks or displayed on a flat surface. Artwork

must be carefully labeled with name of artist, medium, title of piece, and

contact information. Artwork can be for sale (please indicate price) or not for sale. 10% of all sales go to the First Pres Arts fund and 90% to the

artist – donated pieces would bring 100% to First Pres.

Please bring items for the spring show to the chapel after Worship on

Sunday, June 2 or during the week of June 4-7. During the week please call Julie at 632 -1686 to arrange for a convenient drop off time. I can also

arrange for pick up from Wustum at Art Classes or drop off at my

house. Questions? Contact Ellen Cardwell at 456-6336 .

Yale

Attention All Readers! We want your “Member Updates.” Please submit your PHOTOS and NEWS—whether a change of address/ phone/

email, a new job, baby or grandbaby, a baptism, etc.—to Julie by email at FirstPresRacine@wi.rr.com or phone at 632-1686. Submissions not

received by the 15th of the month prior to publication may not be included until the following edition of FirstNews Monthly: Submissions for

the June newsletter should be submitted by May 15th.

May Birthdays May 1 Linda Schubert May 2 Victoria Vollman May 3 Cynthia Gleason May 3 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 Amy Noe May 10 Warren DeKraay Darrell Sutton Tyler Willing

May 23 Kime Neal May 24 Austin Eifert May 25 Jennifer Humphreys May 26 Jennings Leavell Lauren Wurdinger May 27 Michael Earnest Michael Wahlen Deborah Yale May 28 Justin Nichols Brian Stahl Elizabeth Stevenson May 30 Kay Flynn Les Lucareli Linda Shankster Madeline Wurdinger 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 Alexis Aiello Virginia Devens Carrie Massey Austin Moulds May 19 Stephanie Shelton May 20 Megan Humphreys Robert Lee Elizabeth Rose May 22 Martha Fusco Benjamin Rangel

Brian & Susan Stahl May 5th 12 years Daniel & Tricia Eifert May 11th 22 years Sean & Marcia Rosenmarkel May 15th 14 years Edward & Eleanor Hunt May 16th 54 years Alejandro & Ami Bouterse Alumbreros May 19th 15 years Patrick & Denise Harris May 19th 17 years Jonathan Olsen & Molly Hall May 21st 19 years Ken & Fumi Nakayama May 24th 16 years David & Dana Griffith May 25th 17years Royce & Barbara Earnest May 26th 23 years Michael & Pamela Wahlen May 26th 29 years Jeffrey Leavell & Georgia Herrera May 27th 24 years Russell & Katherine Wortley May 27th 27 years Patrick & Elizabeth Tews May 30th 6 years David Wright & Kristin Holmberg-Wright May 30th 33 years

Birthdays: Nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake!

CAN YOU PICTURE THAT?

Become a Tour Guide for the

Underground Railroad!

Call Jerry at 456-6605

Deborah CIRCLE

First Pres Readers

Please join us on May 31 at 7:00 pm at Debby Capener’s home, 8020 Gina Street, 53406. Over appetizers, wine, and other beverages, we’ll discuss Above All Things, by Tanis Rideout. This is the story of George Mallory, who attempted to climb Mt. Everest three times in the 1920s, and the wife he left behind. Based on their personal letters and other papers, this piece of fiction explores the drive to conquer a mountain, and the fears and worries of a wife hoping her husband will return safely home. Please join us.

The May meeting for Deborah Circle will be a fun trip to Greendale on Saturday, May 4 for lunch and shopping

(or just browsing). The picturesque town square in Greendale, located off 60th Street, close to Southridge

Mall, includes quaint shops, a family-owned malt shop, a

beautiful flower garden, and a bridged walkway behind the shopping area. The drive takes about 25 minutes from

Racine. We will meet at church at 10 a.m. to carpool to

Greendale. Please let Ginny Holle know if you plan to come, 884-0230. All are welcome to join us!

Last year marked what we hope will be just the first of many

Pentecost Parties. Cakes were made by volunteers for each

month, and celebrants enjoyed those tasty treats alongside

others born in their birth month. Other volunteers decorated

our downstairs dining hall so we could celebrate in style and a

Pentecost: a Celebration of the Birth of the Christian Church Everywhere & at First Presbyterian

wonderful time was had by all as we commemorated the birth of the Christian Church!

We are now working to coordinate our Second Annual Pentecost

Birthday Celebration and we would love to involve you! Simply

sign up on the yellow 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 Julie at 632-1686.

First Pres will be hosting the Community Meal on Tuesday, May 21. As usual we will need casseroles, milk, fruit, bread, lettuce, and salad dressings. If you can donate any of these food items, please drop them off at the church before 4:00 p.m. on the 21st.

If you can help cook or serve we would love to see you at church before 4:00 or at the HeadStart building at 1032 Grand Ave after 4:30.

Questions? Call Debbie Yale at home, 639-5004 or cell, 498-8753. Thanks!

The last week for our donut

fundraiser for this spring will

be May 5th. The donuts will

return in September. As

always, thank you for the sup-

port and your generosity in

supporting youth mission

projects.

— Debby Capener

Donuts, it’s...

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 first

Sunday in June! We’ d like to make sure you, your spouse, your son, or your daughter is recognized for their accomplishments! Please

contact Julie in the office at firstpresracine@wi.rr.com 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 24th. Thanks!

History corner

Intercessory Prayer Ministry

Parish Nurse Notes

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

The Intercessory Prayer group invites 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 meetings,

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.

We pray for those in our own congregation and in the larger church family. In addition to individual requests,

we pray for our leaders, for local and worldwide needs, and for peace in all circumstances.

Please contact Bonnie Eastman (886-3262) or Georgia Hall (633-7251).

Spring is in the air—along with tiny tree, weed, and grass particles. If you suffer from pollen allergies or

hay fever, that means sniffling, sneezing, and watery, itchy eyes. Allergies can also trigger asthma symptoms,

such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. If you have cold-like symptoms for more than a week, the

reason might be allergies. Limit your exposure to allergens by staying inside in the morning and on windy days, when

pollen counts are highest. Close windows and use an air conditioner during high pollen times. A person can develop asthma at any age.

But some older adults dismiss asthma symptoms as a normal part of aging. However, your allergist/ immunologist can help you devise a

treatment plan to improve your breathing. If your physician prescribes allergy or asthma medication, please tell ALL your health care

providers. Some medications, such as beta blockers, can keep asthma medicine from working. God’s blessings,

Peggy Taylor, RN

Parish Nurse

Somewhere, “hidden in plain sight” at First Presbyterian Church, folks will find this “arrow,” above. This is the original weather vane that once showed the direction of the winds sweeping through Racine, Wisconsin. Today, it points one way out of the church and “into all the world,” where as Christians we go to execute Christ’s charge to “proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” Originally installed atop the steeple in 1852, this 11 foot long weather vane was removed in 1992, due to rust and other damage. Member Bob Johnson was able to straighten the vane, and members of our Building & Grounds Committee recently hung it. Do you know where the vane is currently displayed?

Between the ages of 18 and 40? Check out the message on the green insert, just for you!

“But me? I will enter your house because of your abundant, steadfast love.”

(Psalm 5:07)

Join us Sunday Night for the Last Gathering of the Season….

F IRST SUNDAY @ 5 :0 7

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!

May 5th @ 5:07 p.m., in the Chapel!

Music & More

We have booked a full schedule of talented performers for our 20th anniversary season. The

series begins on Thursday, June 6 at noon, and continues each Thursday through

August 8. (Note: There will be one Wednesday concert on July 3 due to the Fourth of July

holiday.)

Each hour-long concert features a variety of singers, instrumentalists, and musical groups from southeastern Wisconsin and the Chicago area. We have some new acts participating

this summer, as well as many returning audience favorites.

There is no admission charge, but donations are encouraged and will be divided at the end of the summer between three local nonprofit organizations. The series concludes with a

season finale concert on Friday, August 16 at 7:00 p.m.

“All-in” – we’d like all church members to consider making a donation to show support for our 20th Anniversary Season! Music & More is funded by individual and business donations, which allow us to give an honorarium to the musicians, and

pay for advertising 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 evening concert on August 16, and you will be

recognized as a series contributor in our weekly concert program.

INVITATION! First Presbyterian Church’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

Sunday Schoolers, along with their teachers, have created 20 painted

murals on their classroom walls. These murals depict themes from

Hebrew scripture, the Gospels, and church life, and will be blessed by

Pastor Ben. You are invited to visit our classroom to see these colorful

and imaginative murals on Sunday, May 12 and 19. Please plan to stop up!

We officially have the date of our 2013 Vaca-tion Bible School! It will take place from 9 am-12 pm, on August 5th-9th at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Ohio Street.

If you would like to regis-ter your child for VBS or would like to volunteer to help with this fun event, please complete the form on the green insert inside this month’s FirstNews!

Thanks!

V B S