Pastor's Message Tower Notes -July 2021 - Celebrating 176 years of Community Based Ministry - Janesville UCC
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Tower Notes –July 2021
Celebrating 176 years of Community Based Ministry
First Congregational United Church of Christ
An Open & Affirming and Immigrant Welcoming Church
54 South Jackson Street, Janesville, Wisconsin 53548
Telephone: (608) 752-8716
E-mail: janesvilleucc@janesvilleucc.org
Website: www.janesvilleucc.org
Like us on Facebook: Janesville UCC
Rev. Dr. Tanya Sadagopan
E-mail: revtanya@janesvilleucc.org
Pastor’s Message
Invited
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor. Proverbs 21:21
Dear Members and Friends of Janesville UCC!
We have so much to be grateful for these days! We have returned to in-person worship twice a
month and have enjoyed seeing one another and listening to the organ in our beautiful
sanctuary. As the summer joys of traveling and gardening and being out and about lift our
spirits, I invite each of us to take a few moments to lift up prayers of thanksgiving for all we
have come through. This past month we have witnessed the death of some of our beloved
members and friends. You may know that there are people in your life who are grieving. Do
what you can to lift their spirits.
Our General Synod, the national conference for the United Church of Christ denomination, will
be held from will be July 11-18 and I am a delegate for the Wisconsin Conference Southwest
Association. I am looking forward to not only attending the many sessions and workshops but
leading my own workshop on July 10th. I am looking forward to connecting with colleagues
around the country and taking some time to learn new things so I can share them with you upon
my return.
Friends, check in on people around you. Plan on sharing random acts of kindness with your
neighbors, your friends, and your church family. We all need a little TLC right now—tender
loving care. Drop us here at the church a post card or send us an email with photos of your
summer. How are you seeing God at work around you? What random acts of kindness are you
bringing to the people you care about.
Take gentle care of one another. Reach out and share with us what brings you joy!
Pastor Tanya
Worship in July
Theme: What do you need?
July 4: Reaching out in our distress
July 11: (in door svc) People and things that bring us comfort
July 18: When it’s just better to listen
July 25: (outdoor svc) It’s ok to ask
Thank you to our June liturgists: Diane Holtz, Nancy Stabb, Patty York, Nathan Roehl.
If you would like to be a liturgist, contact Pastor Tanya. You need ZOOM on your computer.
July BIRTHDAYS, Happy Day to All!
1 Jack Shebesta 10 Wendy Carlson 24 Mark Eyster
1 Seth Essen 11 Hannah Carlson 24 Travis Grossen
3 Joellyn Merz 12 Mark Gilmore 25 Gerald Albers
4 Gillian McCabe 15 Bo Klotz 29 Matthew & Rachel Grossen
5 Don Alwin 16 Brittney Mansur 30 Henry Shebesta
5 Donna Twining 21 Jillian Groth 31 Jamie Dieckhoff
7 Cory Carlson 21 John Merz 31 Dave Groth
7 Alexandra Schmidt 24 Marlisse Chamberlin 31 Gina Swenson
July ANNIVERSARIES, Congratulations
If your name ever gets
4 Warren & Joy Myers 16 Blake & Julie Budrow missed from the birthday
6 Krista & Nate Schmidt 18 Ann & Matt Forbeck
or anniversary list, please
8 Travis & Jennifer Grossen 20 Lisa Koski & Dawn Endl
let Becky know.
15 Keith & Bonnie Stalker 21 Shaun Drefahl & Kerry Parker
The next Community Meal will be on Saturday July 3rd from 4:00 – 5:00.
Brown bag lunches will be available that include 1/4# hot dog/bun, cole
slaw, chips, fruit, dessert parfait, and lemonade.
Guests can drive up to the back door and meals will be delivered to
their vehicle. Contact Bonnie Stalker (608-290-4098) or Nancy Stabb
(608-302-9944) for more information.
Consistory Did Not Meet in June
NOTICE: Beginning now, small groups are welcome to gather/meet at the church. However, there
are some guidelines to follow:
1. You must wear a mask, social distance, and use hand sanitizer. Move
chairs 5’-6’ apart. Set up more tables if needed.
2. You must register your meeting with Becky, to be sure no one else is
using that room.
3. Since we do not have a custodian yet, the area may need to be cleaned
and be sure the area is left clean when you leave.
4. You must sign in at the back door.
As we are fed at Christ’s table we go out to feed others.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed.
Life is an echo…
what you send out,
you get back!
ECHO July Needs:
Diapers (sz 4-6) Toothbrushes Spaghettios
Peanut butter & jelly Feminine products Razors
Spaghetti & sauce Deodorant Toilet paper
Mac & Cheese Dish soap Tuna
Brown paper bags Shampoo Soup
Canned meats Breakfast bars Laundry Soap
The Parish Care Committee has recently added a new service as part of
their church ministry. It involves members, or family members, of our
church who currently serve in the United States Armed Forces in
various capacities. As of now we have five men actively serving our
country. We hope to encourage them and their families through daily
prayers, notes of appreciation, small gifts, etc. As special needs arise
we will try to be of service also.
If you are aware of any men or women connected to our church who
should be added to our list, please let Pastor Tanya or Becky, the
church secretary, know of their names and addresses. They serve us
and our country and, as members of First Congregational UCC, we
would like to be of service to them.
From OUTREACH Ministry:
July Monthly Mission is for Community Meal
For 11 years now, UCC Janesville has been purchasing ingredients, preparing, packaging and serving FREE
meals to anyone in our community on the first Saturday of each month. That’s impressive; and it doesn’t
happen without our congregants’ help and donations.
If you love to help in the kitchen, dedicated volunteers will show you what needs to be done during the first
shift from 1:30p – 3:30p. We cook, cut & package an average of 80 meals each month. If you prefer to help
with our Grab n Go services, the second shift runs from 3:30 – 5:30p. We setup tables inside, bring the meals
upstairs & work together to deliver meals outside to those who drive up or walk up to our doors in the back
parking lot. It works great!
If you love to bake, we often ask for donations of your homemade desserts. Please consider a monetary
donation for Community Meal so we can continue this valued community service. Patti York
Many thanks to the Meals on Wheels volunteers in June; Jim and Karel Cripe, Bonnie and Keith Stalker, Rita
Feirn and Yvonne Feirn, Linda Stehura and Diane Henrichs, Dean Smith and Tom Clippert, Carolyn Brandeen
and Nancy Stabb. Meals On Wheels provides affordable meals for the elderly or disabled in their
homes. The meals are made fresh in the cafeteria of Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center–
Janesville. The program is overseen by Mercyhealth hospital dietary staff to ensure meals are
nutritional and varied. Volunteers deliver these meals and provide a watchful eye on the health and
safety of clients. If you are interested in offering your time to bring a warm, healthy meal, a smile, and
a quick health check to a person whose mobility is limited, call Nancy Stabb 608-563-1411.
We are responsible for GIFTS Men's Shelter the week of July 18th-25th and we will need to provide
dinner, breakfast and overnight supervision for the week. Please contact John Mansur if you would like
to help with any of these. John can be reached at johnrmansur@gmail.com or 608-322-2325. We still
need dinner provided for the nights of July 22nd and 23rd and overnight supervision each night.
The Confirmation Class is inviting the congregation to participate
in a mission project to collect laundry baskets with household
goods for 16:49 young adults moving into their first apartments.
The basket should include: shower curtain & hooks, a bath mat,
toilet brush, cleaners, laundry detergent, kitchen sponge, dish
soap, paper towels, toilet paper, and other things that someone
needs setting up their first home. You can donate all or some.
Drop off at the church on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings.
We have 8 baskets so far.
Last month we said good-bye to Dottie Newton, Dick Skyles,
Mary Hunt, and Marlyn Kolinsky.
Holy Humor from Church Ladies With Typewriters: (thanks Larry Barton)
The sermon this morning: “Jesus Walks on the Water”.
The sermon tonight: “Searching for Jesus”.
Photos of indoor service, June 27th
(moved inside because of rain)
Sunday School and Youth Group News
Join us each Sunday morning this summer to learn about
the fruitful gifts that God gives us through the Holy Spirit:
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness and
Self-Control
From June through August, we invite you to:
Gather from 10:00-10:30 for an Online Summer Session with stories
and lessons (zoom links will be texted to families before the session)
Meet for an in-person outdoor worship with fun children’s activities planned during the
service
Come for an in-person, indoor Summer Sunday School activity during worship that will
follow all current CDC safety guidelines. Students will go directly to the classroom upon
arrival, and class will dismiss at the end of worship.
Sessions are geared for PK-5th grade, but all
children are welcome! August 1: Online Summer Session
July 4: no class- Fourth of July weekend August 8: **In-person indoor session**
July 11: **In-person indoor session** August 15: Online Summer Session
July 18: Online Summer Session August 22: Online Summer Session
July 25: **In-person outdoor session** August 29: **In-person outdoor session**
First Congregational Church
54 South Jackson Street
Janesville, WI 53548
This page was attached
to the Tower Notes that
were mailed.
First Congregational United Church of Christ
Office Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday Mornings 9:00 - 1:00 or by appointment.
Ministers All Members of First Congregational UCC
Pastor Rev. Dr. Tanya Sadagopan
Christian Ed. Director Jamie Dieckhoff
Music Director Dr. Brian Knutson
Organist David Newman
Digital Communications Angelica Chapman-Sykes
Secretary Becky Kingsbury
Bookkeeper Denise Caldwell
Nursery Coordinator Lindsey Anderson
Custodian
Church Leadership & Volunteers
President Debi Cox
Treasurer Bo Klotz
Finance Chair David Arndt
Volunteer Coordinator Diane Holtz
Gardeners Nancy Stabb, Ken Forbeck, Barb Bendlin
Lawn Mowers: Schollmeiers, Greg Shebesta, Mark Carlson, Bill Williams,
Ian & Dave Groth, Doug Newton
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