Weekly E-Newsletter: Friday Notes
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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
Trick-or-Treating 2020
We will participate in this year’s trick-or-treating on October 31, from 5 to 7 PM. We will enforce social distancing and take precautions because of the pandemic. We have been part of this fun community event for years. It’s a great opportunity to connect with our neighbors. We will do that safely by pre-packaging bags with candy and church information. The ghost and goblins will be able to safely pick-up the bags off a table with no contact.
If you’d like to participate, put on your costume and mask and come on over on the 31st!
We are happy to continue this fun tradition with our neighbors!
Southminster Blessings Box
The Blessing Box has been installed at the Southminster Church Campus, right at the entry to the car park. If you have the ability, and would like to contribute, you can stop by the church to place any items inside to share with the community.
The Blessing Box has been installed at the Southminster Church Campus, right at the entry to the car park. If you have the ability, and would like to contribute, you can stop by the church to place any items inside to share with the community.
Sunday Worship
Fall in-person tailgate worship services
Bring your chairs and masks and let us gather in the church parking lot while physically distancing. 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 communion in-person as long as we are able by the grace of God.
IF IT IS RAINING between 9am-noon 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:
- 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)
All Saints Sunday:
Sunday, November 1st, 2020: We will celebrate the lives of, Carol Porter, Jay Geraldson, Robert Rolli, and Roberta “Bobbi” Bertacchini, who attained heaven this past year.
In addition we will remember all the saints, known and unknown, who have lost their
lives this year due to the pandemic. Though we will not be together, we will be united in
our tradition of tolling the bell as we lift up the names of those we wish to remember.
Advent:
Yes, Southminster, Jesus is coming, regardless of where we are. Southminster has such a rich tradition for celebrating Advent, and the Worship Ministry Team has been thinking of ways to replicate some of those traditions virtually. We decided it would be fun to celebrate our tradition of lighting the Advent wreath and filling
the creche, but from from members’ homes, and instead of being part of an Advent Sunday service, we might include them in an informal midweek service.
The four Sundays of Advent are;
Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, and Christmas Eve.
All that is required is your willingness, and someone with a cell phone to create a small video!!
- Lighting the Advent Wreath—What we need—individuals, families, small groups to light a candle and read a prepared script. This could be simply lighting a candle, your own Advent wreath, or meeting at the church prior to Sunday to be filmed when the service is taped.
- The Creche—This is an opportunity to share the manger scenes that are part of your family’s Christmas celebration. We invite you to make a video telling us a little about the history of your creche, and why it is special to you or your family. We will need four volunteers, but we also encourage members to send still photos with a short written description of their creches for us to share across the weeks of Advent. Thanksgiving would be a great opportunity to set up the creche and enlist a tech savvy relative to video tape, or take a family photo around the creche.
ZOOM COFFEE HOUR: On Hold
Zoom Coffee hour is currently on hold because of low attendance. We may bring it back if we can no longer meet outside.
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!
**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.
