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

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

Pastor’s Message

Invited

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

4 Warren & Joy Myers 16 Blake & Julie Budrow

6 Krista & Nate Schmidt 18 Ann & Matt Forbeck

8 Travis & Jennifer Grossen 20 Lisa Koski & Dawn Endl

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

If your name ever gets

missed from the birthday

or anniversary list, please

let Becky know.

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!

July 4: no class- Fourth of July weekend

July 11: **In-person indoor session**

July 18: Online Summer Session

July 25: **In-person outdoor session**

August 1: Online Summer Session

August 8: **In-person indoor session**

August 15: Online Summer Session

August 22: Online Summer Session

August 29: **In-person outdoor session**

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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

First Congregational Church

54 South Jackson Street

Janesville, WI 53548