June 29, 2016

You are welcome at First Congregational U.C.C., wherever you are on your spiritual journey.

What’s happening

Established 1856

God’s

People

Gather

Sunday, July 3Sunday, July 3Sunday, July 3Sunday, July 3 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Care ‘n Share

8:30 a.m. Worship — Chapel

10:00 a.m. Worship — Sanctuary

11:00 a.m. Fellowship

Sunday, July 10Sunday, July 10Sunday, July 10Sunday, July 10 Luke 10:25-37

8:30 a.m. Worship — Chapel

10:00 a.m. Worship—Sanctuary

11:00 a.m. Fellowship

Pipe Organ RestorationPipe Organ RestorationPipe Organ RestorationPipe Organ Restoration The response to the organ pipe cleaning and reinstallation project has been

wonderful. According to the organ restorers we are saving thousands of dollars

by having volunteers do this part of the work.

The next part of phase 1 is next week. This involves rein-

stalling the pipes that were cleaned in June. There is a need

for a few more people with the ability to lift heavier pipes. We

especially need volunteers for Thursday, July 7, 9 a.m. to

12:30 p.m. and 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. There are also openings for

cleaning and reinstallation during phase 2 July 11, 12, 13 and

26, 27. Check the website for details or call Jan in the office.

Book Discussion

Tuesdays, July 12, 19, 26

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Charlene Burns leads us in a reflection on Pope Francis’ second encyclical

Laudato Si’ (May You be Praised): On Care for our

Common Home” which he addressed to "every person

living on this planet.” Pope Francis strives in his

encyclical to answer the questions at the very heart

of our existence: What kind of world do we want to

leave to those who come after us, to children who

are growing up now or will be growing up in the

future? What is the goal of our work and all our

efforts? What need does the earth have of us? This

is a dialogue for all people about our common con-

cerns about global environmental deterioration.

Inform and ignite your passion for this earth and

our relationship with her.

Book: 128 pp, $10 in paperback. You may order on your own. At this writing there

was one still available in the office.

Beverages served. Feel welcome to bring your meal.

In This EditionIn This EditionIn This EditionIn This Edition Latin America Explored..……........page 3 Immigration and beyond

Annual Meeting Outcome…....…...page 6 Leadership and Support

Market Match………..……………..…..page 8 Tokens for the Farmers Market

Dear Friends,

Our congregation’s annual meeting, held on Sunday,

June 26th was a celebratory event. We elected leader-

ship, passed a budget, and now enter our 160th year of

ministry in Eau Claire. I feel like we just recently cele-

brated our 150th anniversary. But, we have come along way since 2006.

There have been many changes in our community and congregation

over this past decade, and through it all we have been blessed. We have

maintained our focus on mission and have lived that out through the

Ragtime Festival, the Okora Project, and the creation of JONAH, just

to mention some highlights. Our youth mission trips have been life

changing for some of our youth and adults. Our small group ministries

have moved to the center of our faith formation program with opportu-

nities offered now virtually daily for people to gather and consider their

relationship with God and with each other and their commitment to

living out those valued relationships in daily life seeking to make this

world a better place for all of us. Our commitment to excellence in wor-

ship and music continues, along with our striving for greater inclusivity

and generous hospitality. Remember, 89% of the people who come to

us come as a result of personal invitation. So, be hospitable and invite

people to join you in your group or to participate in worship or to be

part of our ministry in the community.

Now, as you know, we are making necessary repairs throughout the

building. The big story is the renovation of our downstairs in the service

of making our building serve us better by providing gathering space for

people of all ages and 21st century technology to support people’s

growth in faith. At the time of this writing demolition is well underway

and soon to be finished. I wait with hope for evidence of our new fu-

ture soon to appear.

There is some great energy moving among us this summer, promising

more fruitful mission and ministry in God’s name yet to come through

us as we seek to walk with Jesus on the way of life.

Faithfully,

Please keep Don

Johnson, Pat Heins,

Betsy Felty, Howard

White, Jackie Sol-

berg, Making Con-

nections campers, Beth Ivankovic’s

mother Marjorie, a family of the church

dealing with mental health issues, Addie

Zellmer and Marian Smith’s nephew

Adam, a sister of the church, Helen

Nordstrom’s mother, Chris Goodman’s

grandmother, Don Ruth’s father Skip,

Audrey Henning’s cousin Ronald Gar-

ton, Steve Landkammer, Zoey Berger,

Ben and Jan Proctor’s brother-in-law

Steve Lahner, Nancy Miller’s brother-in-

law Wayne Myers, Pine Ridge Retreat

Center and Rev. Karen Ressel, a sister of

the church dealing with long distance

caregiving, Annie Bailey’s mother Olive

Jean, those suffering with health con-

cerns and chronic pain, victims of natu-

ral disasters, caregivers of loved ones at

home, and all those affected by war and

terrorism in your thoughts and prayers.

Please alert the office if you know someone

who is ill, is dealing with the loss of a loved

one, or is having a difficult time in their life.

We try not to miss anyone but sometimes it

does happen and we do apologize.

And please remember our shut-ins and our

nursing home residents with your prayers, a

card, a visit or a call.

Prayer Concerns

Church VIPs

Sunday School/Nursery

June 19 — 4 June 26 — 5

Worship attendance

June 19 — 101 June 26 — 120

Ushers: (10 a) July 3—Craig Falkner, Capt;

Richard Arnold, Charlie Bauer, Lucy Bau-

er, Jeff Herman, Jeff Reuter, Matt Gundry

July 10—Dave Pulkrabek, Capt; Joel Klink,

Dave Turner, Will Pooley, Greg Barnes,

John Urice

Liturgists: July 3—Corrine Liegel

July 10—Ginny Close

Tellers: July 3—Debbie Gough, Karen Tay-

lor July 10—Jayne Woodburn, James Hazel-

ton

2

Money and MinistryMoney and MinistryMoney and MinistryMoney and Ministry Year to date—May 2016 Annual Budget Actual Year to Date

Revenue $615,153 $525,010

Expenses $615,153 $525,425

UUUUpdate from pdate from pdate from pdate from SSSStewardshiptewardshiptewardshiptewardship Pledges for 7/1/15—6/30/16 $513,000

Pledges received May 2016 2016 $ 36,648

Total pledges received 7/1/15—6/30/16 $461,199

Mark

3

Missions in motion Missions in motion Missions in motion Missions in motion

Mission Ed Sponsoring Study Group Learn More About Immigration from Latin America

The Mission Education and Social Concerns Committee will be sponsor-

ing a “Study Group” in the fall that will focus on both why people come

to the U.S. illegally, what countries they come from, what the U.S. has

done that either encourages or discourages this migration. Starting by

reading Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario, we will bring in speakers and

do our own research. If this topic interests you, please email Debbie

Gough (goughdm@uwec.edu). This will allow us to to gauge the level of

interest and possibly choose a good time to meet. At this point, you are

not making any commitment!

A couple of people have shown an interest in going to Haiti for education on the Haiti Allies mission

project. The Mission Education and Social Concerns Committee would like to be able to support them

financially. If you would like to contribute to this effort please make your check out to First Congrega-

tional UCC with “Haiti” in the memo line. Information on this project appeared in the last Talk of the

Tower. You may also learn more about Haiti Allies at www.haitiallies.org.

Craft Fair Takes on

New Look The annual November Fair Trade

Craft Sale will have a new twist!

Do you or do you know folks who have a passion

for a project/cooperative somewhere in the develop-

ing world? Do they have or could they get hand-

made craft items to sell in support of their particular

group? We at First UCC will be hosting a communi-

ty fair trade event on November 12th at which indi-

viduals can sell craft items where proceeds go direct-

ly to their adopted project. Please give Ginny Close

a call with contact information or feel free to have

the potential vendor contact her. 715-577-8336 or

715-464-1027. Of course, call with questions or to

volunteer to help in some

way too!!

Thanks to Beacon House

Volunteers

There was a full house at the Beacon House Family

Homeless Shelter last week. The guests included 8

parents and 13 children, including 4 babies under 1

year.

Special thanks to the generous, caring and enthusi-

astic people who are always so willing to help--Dave

Morley, Leah Olson-McBride and her family, Joe

Knight, Mary and Greg Barnes, Jean and Dick Ha-

zelton, Paul Savides, Kristen Gundry and Eli, and

Darlene Cornell.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Beacon

House as an individual, a family, or a group, please

contact Darlene Cornell at 715-835-6969 for a per-

sonal orientation. We will be serving again the

week of August 7-13.

Learning in Jesus’ name

4

CONNECT, LEARN,

After spending time in Texas with our High School Mission Trip, I am even

more convinced of the wisdom that is created when generations travel and

work together. Each time we return from a trip, I am again impressed with

the capacity of our youth to reflect, to be kind and thoughtful. Here are some

of my thoughts:

The spoken reflection upon what is happening in the world, what others are

experiencing and what actions are being taken set an agenda for our

youth. On our mission trips, we have a practice of “candle talking”. At the end

of each day, we take time to read scripture and to apply it to our day’s activity.

When each person speaks, they light a candle and the candles together “enlighten

our conversation”. In these conversations, our work together becomes more than

just work. We bring it under the umbrella of our faith in action and claim it as

God’s work through us.

Challenge our/their experience with safe risks. There are children all over the

world, children in our community and perhaps our church who live in unsafe envi-

ronments. The danger may be physical or perhaps emotional. Our families do all

we can to keep our families safe. But, there is something important that happens

when we join with others in their lives, sense their struggle and encourage them.

There is great power in the energy and the perspective of youth. It can be in-

formed by the experience of elders, but cannot be replaced by our experi-

ence. You will hear about this trip during this year in YOUTH MOMENTS.

There will be a video created to capture their thoughts and activities. However,

the best part of this trip will be what is lived out in their lives in times and places

that we will not see.

Thank you for your generous support of Mission Travel for our Youth Minis-

try!

Intergenerational Programs and Texas

Jill Christopherson, Director of Religious Education

SonGames 2016 Vacation Bible School will be offered at

First Congregational UCC from July 31-

August 3. The theme is based on Paul’s

travels as he spread the ministry of

Jesus. We hear that Paul JOINS IN!

when he accepts the call to spread Jesus’

ministry; TEAM

UP! reminds us

that we all benefit

from the help of

others, KEEP ON!

requires encourage-

ment from others,

and CELEBRATE! God’s work that is

done together. We will use our special

Olympians from Eau Claire County to

apply this theme in our lives.

Each year we have a mission emphasis

which our children support. This year,

we support Special Olympics in Eau

Claire County. Our goal is to raise $500

for Special Olympics. JOIN IN!!

Middle School Mission

Trip, August 15-17 We have 9 middle school youth who

will be traveling to Duluth, MN in Au-

gust for service. These students are Em-

ma Dow, Charlie Dyar, Emily Herman,

Tyler McBride, Scout Stokes, Lauren

Theyerl, Eliza and Emma Wiegel, and

Maria Woodburn. Middle school youth

spend half of the time in service and half

of the time in fellowship with one anoth-

er. We will be volunteering with the city

of Duluth in projects in their parks and

waterways. We will also volunteer with

their food pantry and clothing

bank. The lake is a great attraction that

requires very little other entertainment.

There is still room for another youth or

two if your summer plans have

changed. Please contact Jill Christopher-

son, jillc@firstucceauclaire.org or text at

715-514-9419.

Remember Summer Child Care Plans

The nursery is in the Fireside room next to Ingram Hall for

the summer and is staffed during 10 a.m. worship except

holiday weekends. There is NO CHILD CARE this Sunday,

July 3. Children through age 6 are welcome. No Sunday

school will be held for K-5 during the summer.

5

Small Group and Family MinistrySmall Group and Family MinistrySmall Group and Family MinistrySmall Group and Family Ministry

GROW - IN COMMUNITY

SUMMER ACTIVITIES — SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Ice Cream in Owen Park,

Wed, July 13 and 20

The Municipal Bank Concerts provide a great oppor-

tunity for a musical evening. It evokes childhood mem-

ories of the community band performing in the Park

band shell ala Music Man. There are a number of musi-

cal opportunities in Eau Claire, but this is the one at

which we serve pie and ice cream!

We are looking for 6-8 pies—your favorite kind—to be

served each Wednesday; 12-16 pies altogether. We will

also invite friendly servers for each Wednesday night, 4

servers for each evening. This is very enjoyable work

and servers can eat the left-overs!

The proceeds from these events will

go to support Special Olympics of

Eau Claire County. If you can help,

please contact Jill Christopherson,

jillc@firstucceauclaire.org or text at

715-514-9419.

Feed My Starving Children,

Thursday July 21

Perhaps you have wished to travel to Feed My Starving

Children, but found that the weekend is precious. We

have reserved spots for 15 volunteers, July 21 from

12:00-2:00 PM. The age limit for unsupervised children

is grade three; if parents are present the child can be

first grade.

This is a wonderful service opportunity for children, the

need is carefully explained, and the work is repetitive

and can be traded for other tasks on your team. We

work together to pack sealed bags of dehydrated soy and

rice mix that is created to nourish starving children and

ready them to digest whole foods. The cartons are

shipped to nearly 70 countries around the world.

Reserve your volunteer spot by Sunday, July 17. We

will arrange transportation from the church leaving by

10:00 am and returning by 4:30 PM. This would quali-

fy for confirmation service. Contact Jill Christopher-

son, jillc@firstucceauclaire.org or text at 715-514-9419.

Draw out your Inner Artist,

Monday July 25

We will be guided in this experience by Erin Designs in

this beautiful and simple experience for your artist-

self! Silk scarf dying at its easiest and most colorful.

We are hosting TWO sessions at

the church—choose the time that

works best for you! Gather your

friends and come for a time togeth-

er before lunch or dinner.

Choose: 10:30 am-12:00 noon or

6:00-7:30 PM. The cost depends

on your choice of scarf: A small

scarf is 54”x 8” and costs $20. The large scarf is 72” x

14” and costs $40. Please reserve by Sunday July 24.

Contact Jill Christopherson, jillc@firstucceauclaire.org

or text at 715-514-9419.

Opportunities in MinistryOpportunities in MinistryOpportunities in MinistryOpportunities in Ministry

6

∗ The office will be closed on

Monday, July 4 in observance of

Independence Day.

∗ There will only be one edition of

the Talk of the Tower published

in July. Deadline: July 11

∗ We would like to thank our

faithful volunteers who offered

their time and talents this past

year to support the office staff.

We wouldn’t be able to accom-

plish what we do without you!

Please give these people a high

five when you see them:

Receptionists Janna Morley

Norma Rabedeaux

Gail Barnes

Carol Nesbit

Phyllis Seymour

Helen Knight

Ronda Torres

Newsletter assemblers: Marlene and Mark Haugsby

Kris Vieira

Loretta Young

Diane Youngell

Judy Beeksma

Karen Gillum Alexy

Julia Eiden

Joan and Bill Brown

Jim Alf

There are others who have stepped

in to help with special projects or

just to be a presence at the desk

when needed. Thank you to all. It is

such a pleasure to be able to work in

a cooperative spirit in the name of

Jesus Christ.

From the Office

Congregation Affirms 2016-2017

The results of the June 26 Annual Meeting are presented here. We head into

the new program year with confidence and excitement. Thank you to all who

took part in approving the 2016-2017 budget and electing the dedicated offic-

ers for the next terms. There are still Council openings. Contact Penny

Kolloff if you are interested in serving: pbkollo@gmail.com.

*Includes income from prior year surplus and income from restricted and unrestricted endowments.

7

Primetime PostingsPrimetime PostingsPrimetime PostingsPrimetime Postings

Mary Barnes, Director of Elderlife

Primetime Friends….Many Hands Make it Possible!

What a wonderful year we have had with delicious food, wonderful fellowship and excel-

lent programs. As I look back on the year, there are many thank you’s to be shared… and

before I proceed, I apologize profusely to anyone who I may have left out inadvertently! You

are each a treasure, named and unnamed!

Our skilled planning committee: Jane Edson, John & Lori Baltes, Carol Nesbit, Gail

Barnes, Loretta Young, and Jim Alf

Our fabulous cooks: Carol & Steve Holden, Suzanne Dow & Margaret Melrose, Kathy

Magaw & Linda Davenport, Dave & Janna Morley, Sue Webb & Gail Barnes, Helen

Nordstrom & Beth Hicks, Barb Brenden & Patti Cigan, Joan Brown & Susan

Cochrane, Kaye Senn, Becky Shanley and David & Gail Barnes.

Our excellent speakers/entertainers: Nikki Massey, Jeff & Patti Henry, our Jonah Core

Team, Stadtpfeiffer Brass Quintet (Dave Elvig, Sean Hanson, Charles Tibbetts, Ross

Wilson & Gerald Naiberg), Pastor Mark, Greg Kocken, Paul Savides, Katherine

Schneider, and all who participated in the Talent Show in June (Mary Burt, Margaret

Melrose, Jayne Woodburn, Jean Hazelton, Ruth Verbrugge, Jim Alf, Ben Kittilstad)

Our wonderful helpers: Jerry & Mary Foote, Lori & John Baltes, Jane Edson, Chris

Elliott, Margaret Melrose, Kaye Senn, Joan Brown, Becky Shanley, Walt & Charlotte

Wussow, Carol Nesbit, Jake & Cherie VanderVoort, Gib Magaw, Dave & Gail

Barnes

We look forward to a new season of Primetime Friends, premiering on Wednesday, Sep-

tember 21. If you are interested in being a volunteer for any of the Primetime tasks,

please contact Mary Barnes. Blessings to all for a wonderful summer!

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 311

Eau Claire, WI

First Congregational U.C.C.

310 Broadway St.

Eau Claire, WI 54703

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

First Congregational

United Church of Christ 310 Broadway St., Eau Claire, WI 54703

Phone: 715-834-2668

Fax: 715-834-0674

Web site: www.firstucceauclaire.org

E-mail: jans@firstucceauclaire.org (office)

pastor@firstucceauclaire.org (minister)

Office hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Staff Rev. Dr. Mark Pirazzini, Minister

Jill Christopherson, Director of Religious Education

Jan Smith, Church Office Manager

Mary Barnes, Director of Elderlife

Brent Podhaski, Custodian

Mary Ann Minton, Financial Secretary

Dr. Gary Schwartzhoff, Director of Music

Judy Lies, Organist

Pam Braun, Primary Education Coordinator

Katie Griffith, Lead Nursery Teacher

Susan Jewett, Social Media Coordinator

Mitch Brown, Student Mentor

Curtis Wetzel, Youth Choir Director

Talk of the Tower...

is a publication for members and friends of First Congregational United Church of Christ,

Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Editor: Jan Smith Senior Minister: Rev. Dr. Mark X. Pirazzini

Next deadline: 10 a.m., Monday, July 11, 2016 Put items (as short as possible) in the “in” basket in the church office, fax to

715-834-0674, or e-mail to jans@firstucceauclaire.org.

Market Match is a program supported by JONAH that helps families participating in Food-

Share/SNAP put healthy food on their tables. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Program – the new name for the improved food stamp program in Wisconsin) and Market

Match, a program that began last year at the Eau Claire Downtown Farmer’s Market allows

SNAP participants to purchase tokens each week on their SNAP card giving them an addi-

tional $1 to spend on fresh market produce for every dollar they spend up to $10. Last

summer $5903 in matching Market dollars were given to families in need.

Tokens are sold from June to September on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm by 4-H

and JONAH volunteers. If you would like to assist with Market Match,

call Sue Suechting at 715/309-9080.

Also please support the Token Program at the Eau Claire Downtown Market. You may use

your credit or debit card to buy tokens. A $1 transaction fee is charged to help sustain the

program. For questions contact Nancy Coffey at 715-839-4712. Tokens can be used any day

the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market is open.

Joining Our Neighbors, Advancing Hope People of faith gathered for the common good.