Weekly E-Newsletter: Friday Notes
Click Here to Sign up for our Weekly E-Newsletter
Monthly Newsletter: Visions
March 2020
January 2020
News from the Smiths
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
August 2019
2019 Session minutes
The 2018 Annual Report
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
Rebuilding the church and families in Russia – Spring 2019 Mission Crossroads Article – Ellen Smith
Mission Connections – letter from Al and Ellen Smith
News letter from Al and Ellen Smith
Church Calendar
Sunday Worship
Fall in-person tailgate worship services
KICK-OFF SUNDAY SEPT 13th at 9:30 am
Tailgating Morning Prayer, Baptism of a Child, Reaffirmation of Baptism by an Adult, with Holy Communion in the Church Car Park
This Sunday, bring your chairs, masks, holy communion elements (bread and fruit of the vine), and let us gather in the church parking lot while physically distancing to praise and worship God through Jesus Christ. Our tailgate party with Jesus includes:
• Baptismal welcoming of Maya Karen Koveck, daughter of Melissa and Brett Koveck.
• On the occasion of his 18th birthday, we celebrate with Cameron Blank as he reaffirms his baptism and answers his call to discipleship.
• We will give thanks to God, break bread, and participate in Holy Communion with God, each other, and all the baptized of all places and times.
The in-person services will be recorded on Sunday mornings and posted on our YouTube channel. We are also working on live streaming.
We will continue to gather weekly starting in the car park for Morning Prayer until we can no longer meet outside, then return to digital worship (unless a miracle happens). May we muster up that Wisconsinite determination and stubbornness that allows people to flock to Green Bay to watch the Pack play during a blizzard and in temperatures below freezing, and gather as a faith community in-person as long as we are able by the grace of God.
IF IT IS RAINING between 9-noon1 am on a given Sunday, WE WILL NOT MEET IN-PERSON. Pastor Christian will then post a digital prayer service on our YouTube channel, as well as on Facebook and SPC Website by 3 pm.
Schedule so far for outside in-person worship services:
• Sept 20 and 27th Morning Prayer
• Oct 4 Morning Prayer with Holy Communion
• Oct 11 Morning Prayer (and working on some form of Blessing of the Animals)
• Oct 18 Morning Prayer
• Oct 25 Morning Prayer (Reformation Sunday)
• Nov 1 All Saints Holy Communion, and Procession to the All Saints Garden with Commemoration
• Nov 8 and 15 Morning Prayer (weather dependant)
• Nov 22 Thanksgiving Holy Communion (working on it)
• Nov 29 Advent Holy Communion (working on it)
• Dec 24 Christmas Eve Holy Communion (working on it)
We are also exploring, starting in November, having multiple daily prayer services through the week, which may include Holy Communion, attended by very small numbers (5-10 at a time) and services will have no singing and last about 20 minutes max. SPC COVID-19 Protocols would be observed.
ZOOM COFFEE HOUR: NEW TIME and PASSCODE!!!
After in-person Sunday service, we are gathering on zoom for coffee at 11:30 am CT and departing at Noon.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/539915088
Meeting ID: 539915088
Passcode: coffee
Audio only, dial by phone: (312) 626-6799
Enter Meeting ID: 539915088
Digital sunday morning prayer channels to subscribe
You may find the Sunday service on our YouTube channel, Facebook, and SPC Website.
Support
Please let us know if you need someone to call you or if you know of someone in need. During this time of limited physical contact, we will find creative ways to be the loving embrace of God to each other and our neighbors. Specifically, the Deacons will be reaching out to our most vulnerable members. They will be checking in to see what support may be needed, such as meals, grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, etc.
Southminster and COVID 19
We are constantly evolving and adapting as we live into the new reality of being Church and being a community of faith called to serve as the hands and feet of Christ in our neighborhood and beyond.
The session recently adopted a COVID-19 plan, which may change as the science and protocols on the virus continues to progress…
Click here to read the entire message from the council of elders
Building Use
As we continue to navigate Covid-19 at Southminster, we are implementing a few protocols for the cleanliness of the building and safety of all. As it currently stands, Southminster is in pre-phase 1 of re-opening the facility (as outlined here). It is being requested that anyone planning to use the facility (within the required specifications of the re-opening plan), to please contact Steph Gallagher in the church office (secretary@southminsterchurch.org) to set up a time as well as to inform her what part of the facility will be used when visiting. Steph and Josie will be working together to ensure the building is maintained and any areas needing attention are taken care of during Josie’s cleaning regimen. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation with this.
Office
The Church office will not be open on a daily basis. Appointments are necessary to meet with Stephanie. Please contact us if you need to set up a time.
Please make sure any announcements for the bulletin are sent into the office by 12:00pm Wednesdays.
Christian Formation
SPC Getting Involved In Education About Racism
It is ever so apparent the importance of educating everyone on what racism is and how we can be the change our country so desperately needs. In the coming weeks, I encourage you to check out “Thursday’s Connection News- Christian Formation”, where we are going to be offering various subjects that address race, racism, and how we, as Christians, are called to learn, educate others, and make positive, lasting change.
CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK’S DISCUSSION & ACTIVITY
“A History of Racism in the United States- Session 2”
• CLICK HERE FOR LAST WEEK’S (WEEK 5) DISCUSSION”A History of Racism in the United Sates- Session 1
• CLICK HERE FOR LAST WEEK 4 DISCUSSION “The Bible and Racism- Session 2”
• CLICK HERE FOR WEEK 3 DISCUSSION”The Bible and Racism- Session 1″
• CLICK HERE FOR WEEK 2 DISCUSSION -“Racism 101”
• CLICK HERE FOR WEEK 1 DISCUSSION-“Why Is It So Difficult To Talk About Racism?”
Teaching Our Children About Racism
There could not a be a better time to start the conversation with your children about racism and violence. This discussion and activity guide includes suggestions on how parents and teachers can talk with children about race and violence, ideas on how to create a safe space for meaningful dialogue, and more. It was written by the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY, a multicultural center and museum committed to promoting respect, hope, and understanding.
The guide is inspired by For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World, an upcoming picture book by Michael W. Waters that will be available this September. It tells the story of a boy named Jeremiah and his family who discover hopeful forms of activism and advocacy in response to racism and gun violence in their community.
In “For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World”, author Michael W. Waters takes the reader on a journey with young Jeremiah. Much like Muhammad Ali, Jeremiah must reckon at an early age with the painful truths of racism and violence in the United States. Although he could easily turn to cynicism and despair, Jeremiah comes to believe that he can change the world for the better.
CLICK HERE FOR THE DISCUSSION AND ACTIVITY GUIDE
Season of Peace Begins September 6th**
In less than a month, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations will begin observing a Season of Peace; a four-week spiritual journey designed to deepen the pursuit of peace. Spanning from Sept. 6 through Oct. 4, the season is a time for congregations to focus on what it means to be a peacemaking congregation and what it means to be people of peace, said Carl Horton, coordinator of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.
“I hope the Season of Peace is a chance for congregations, whether gathered or dispersed, to reflect on their identity and consider anew, what they can do to promote peace in their communities and in our nation and in the world,” he said.
Southminster will be participating in the Season of Peace beginning Sept. 6th. As a way to help us focus on being a peacemaking congregation, we will be providing daily and weekly resources to enjoy during this special time. We also encourage everyone that is able to consider making a donation to this special offering.
Matthew 25 Bible Study and Prayer
With Southminster Session’s action to bring SPC into the Matthew 25 movement in the PC(USA), all are invited to participate in a study and prayer and discern how God is calling our congregation. Download the Matthew 25 Bible Study by clicking here.
Frequently asked questions about Matthew 25
Matthew 25 Brochure
Coffee House Bible Study
Join us at the weekly bible study hosted by Ellie Hein, Elder John Negley, and Pastor Christian! Each bible study is independent, so drop in any time.
WHEN: Every Thursday, 4:30 pm
WHERE:
Mountain Top Coffee in downtown Waukesha
(Former names of the Coffee House are Roots and Sprizzos).
Thursday Coffee House Bible Study will also be remote. So, grab a cup of coffee and join us for a virtual zoom meeting online or call in using a phone.
Click here for the online zoom channel or use your phone by dialing 1-312-626-6799 and when prompted, enter meeting ID: 251 228 998
The scripture study will focus on the principal Narrative Lectionary Readings for the upcoming Sunday.We will be practicing various methods of bible study, beginning with the Lectio Divina method. Suggested ages 15 and up. Questions? Contact Pastor Christian
Feed the Kids
We have recently concluded our volunteer efforts for the Salvation Army’s, “Feed The Kids” program. We would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to all those that participated and volunteered their time to make this event a success!
Southminster Neighborhood Garden News
Thank You For Your Help!!
Thank You to the SPY(Southminster Presbyterian Youth), parents, and others that turned the winter community garden into a spring planting garden. Work began at 12:30pm on Saturday, May 2nd, and by 3:15pm, the whole garden was ready for the season! Some of the community gardeners came to help in the garden as well. The 28 plots had the soil turned, thanks to Jim O’Dell’s rototiller, and the 150 foot long outside perennial flower garden was cleaned and prepared for the summer season. The old saying,” many hands make light work”, proved itself on Saturday. Thank you everyone that spent a sunny Saturday in the garden working together!
Great News- sign up for the garden plots has been busy this year. All of the spaces will be occupied- we are looking forward to another successful year in the community garden! Thank you Southminster youth and friends that made this all possible!
All of the garden plots for the 2020 growing season have been spoken for! Thank you to everyone that will be joining us in the Neighborhood Garden. Please watch for a separate email which will include a map where your plot is located. If you gardened with us in the past, we were able to ensure each of you remained in the same spot, and we have a few new gardeners joining us this year, we are excited for this season!
Alice Lundstrom / Community Church Garden Mission Team
**Life after Loss Support Group**
For the safety and protection and in response to the recommendation of social distancing, this group is currently on hold from meeting in person. We will provide updates here as we navigate through these times.
On Saturday January 11th, 2020, we will launch a Life after Loss Support Group that will offer us the opportunity to listen to and support one another; to love one another as God has loved us. The group will be coordinated by Jim O’Dell and Edee Rolli.
We will welcome those who have experienced any kind of loss:
the loss of a loved one; the loss of a job; the end of a friendship, relationship or marriage; a missed opportunity – where a door was closed, and no window opened.
The first meeting of the Life after Loss Support Group will be held at Edee’s home on Sat. Jan. 11th at 1:30 p.m.
Please contact Jim O’Dell or Edee Rolli if you are interested.
