Welcome to Ben Menghini, who will joining us on July 10 as the new Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries! Ben graduated from Eden Theological Seminary in 2015 with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies. He has worked as a church administrator and chaplain, in addition to being a guest lecturer in St. Louis and Madison. In 2018 he led the Church History section for the UCC Lay Academy. His wife Blakeley is a quartet violist in Door County, and recently finished her DMA at UW Madison. Welcome Ben and Blakely! Read more about Ben on our website staff page.

John Early, chair of the Personnel Committee, states: "For months, we have been looking to call someone to join our ministry team and our church family.  We were seeking a deeper commitment and continuity in the area of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry. God has answered our prayers by calling Ben to fill this leadership position. We hope you all can help Ben make the transition from academia to action. He has a wealth of knowledge, ideas, and enthusiasm, but will need all of your support to be successful. We hope you will help welcome Ben as he learns about Green Bay and our church family."

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We also congratulate Bob Nickel on being named Director of Music and Worship Arts!

This includes directing the Chancel Choir. Bob's expanded role will begin after Labor Day.

Note: Bob is having surgery July 12, so please keep in your prayers.

We trust you will give these staff persons the support they need to be successful!

If the dates/times of FPC's VBS don't work for you/your child(ren), our sister church in De Pere is having their Vacation Bible School July 22-26 from 9 am to noon each day. Their theme is "Shipwrecked, Rescued by Jesus" and there is a $10 cost for the entire event. For more information about their VBS,  find it here.

For July, the Pantry volunteers are requesting donations of personal care items and for August, cereal. You can place them in the shopping cart in the narthex at your convenience.  As always, they can certainly use monetary donations as well! Thank you.

We look forward to welcoming the individuals with the Youth Group from Chinook, Montana, who will be in Green Bay July 10-14 for service to our community. They will be spending nights in our building. 

They are lining up service projects, two of which include working at St. John's Homeless Shelter, and also at the home of one of our church members. The Unga Bunga Tribe will be having a cookout with them at the McCormicks' on Tuesday, July 10 for supper and on Thursday, July 12 our youth, a group from First United in De Pere, and the Montana group will be going to Oshkosh for the Lifest Christian Music Festival. (This photo is of  the Chinook Youth Group members who will be here, with the FPC group who went there.) More updates to follow.

On July 18 at 6:30 p.m., you are invited to an evening with Rev. Dr. Mike Goodwin, pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Appleton.  Pastor Mike is coming to First Pres to share the story of his church's efforts in the area of "Children, Youth, and Family Ministry." We hope to generate some ideas that will benefit our ministry. Session members, Christian Education Committee members, and interested parents are welcome to join us for a lively discussion.

On August 12, the Deacons are sponsoring a brat, hot dog, and hamburger fry at Festival Foods on the east side next to Menards from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The proceeds will benefit Feed My Starving Children and the Presbyterian Pantry. If you are able to help serve, look for a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway. And make sure to mark the date, to stop by and enjoy some!

Save your Mondays in August beginning August 13 and ending on August 27. Nancy Siewert has arranged for a free Summer Story Hour on those Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am outside under the tree! We will read a story, do a craft, have some snacks and still have time to read on your own. Your little ones won't want to miss it!

Were you aware that Unity Hospice now has a resale store? It is called Unity Resale Shoppe, LLC, and it welcomes donated items, volunteers, and, of course, shoppers! The funds raised help with the work of Unity Hospice, which has a wide range of services, does comprehensive grief support, and provides end-of-life care to ALL in their service area, regardless of financial means. 

The store is located at 1641 Commanche Ave., Suite G (off Packerland Drive) and their phone is 920-339-5501. For store hours, items they can accept, ways to volunteer, a virtual tour, and more, see their website here or call them directly. They are closed on Mondays, and on Fridays they have 20% off for those 55 years and older.  Jo Leicht can also give you more information.