CROSSROADS NEWSLETTER
Greetings! we are pleased to present your First Presbyterian Church of Green Bay July 2020 newsletter.
Updates from Session & PNC

Session approved a Task Force consisting of Dave Solper, Bob Nickel, and Bruce Deadman, in consultation with members who have health care experience, to develop policies regarding building use and worship so that the building may open as soon as possible.

The goal regarding worship is to return to in person services with appropriate safeguards by July 12.

The PNC is very busy. We have had some serious candidates not work out for various reasons, and continue our work with renewed faith and vigor.
VBS Online This Year
August 3, 4, 5 from 6:30-7:15 pm

Vacation Bible School 2020 will be held online via ZOOM on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, August 3, 4, and 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. each evening for K-5th graders. The theme is "Praise" and it is free as always, but registration is absolutely required to be able to get materials and instructions to homes. We'll have games, crafts, music, a snack, and fun. All are welcome! Register your child(ren) here now please! And if you are interested in volunteering for this event, please let the church office know at office@firstpresgreenbay.org or (920) 437-8121.
Graduations

Congratulations to Aaron Schoffelman and Zach Wittman on their graduations from high school! Their celebrations happened during the Sunday Fellowship gathering on June 28.

In case you missed the information about the graduates, you can find it here on our website. Blessings on your journeys forward Aaron & Zach!
Softball Resumes

Softball is going to start in mid-July, but we are waiting to get an actual date and time, as well as a schedule. If you are interested on playing in the First Pres team, contact George Hubbard. Watch for updates!
New Pantry Procedures Continue
July 14 & 28

The Pantry will continue to operate as it has during the pandemic, with changes in how the groceries are provided to our guests. The procedures will continue: everything will be pre-bagged and distributed at the entrance to the door on Howard St on normal pantry days (2nd and 4th Tuesdays, July 14 & 28 from 10 am to noon.) This provides for the least amount of person-to-person contact, as guests will pick up the bag(s) on the sidewalk table and bring them to their vehicles.
Pantry Requests

For July, the Pantry volunteers are requesting donations of laundry detergent please. If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, checks sent to the office should be made out to Presbyterian Pantry of Green Bay, or donations online ( www.firstpresgreenbay.org) should have the Pantry noted as the fund to which you are donating. You can also support the pantry through Amazon Smile: Shop at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-3189239 and AmazonSmile donates to Presbyterian Pantry of Green Bay! Thank you!
Feed My Starving Children

The FMSC Partner Board continues to meet and discuss potential plans for a Mobilepack this year. While it looks unlikely that there will be an in-person Mobilepack in October, the final decision will not be made until the July board meeting. In the meantime, it is very clear that now there is an even greater need for meals to feed starving children around the world, and the FMSC organization is being creative in finding ways to safely pack meals. The majority of these packing methods are more costly than the Mobilepack meals, and so we are asking for donations and prayers for FMSC. Please consider a gift to FMSC through our church if you are able. Thank you!
Self-Meditation Continues

Session approved the very first phase of reopening the church with self-meditation time in the narthex. Beginning on June 10 th , we continue to have three meditation sessions per week will be held on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, and Thursdays at 9:00 am and 11:00 am. Each meditation time will last approx. 20 minutes, and up to 10 people can sign up to attend each session. Chairs will be set up six feet apart, and masks and the use of hand sanitizer will be required. We will have masks available if you do not have one. Entry will be through the election door only, and there will not be access to the office area. Contact Leah to schedule a time.
First United Facebook Live Services Change 7/12
Sunday, July 12

Beginning on Sunday, July 12, FUPC will once again be offering in-person worship to a limited number of people. This step is being made in conjunction with guidelines and procedures that will be adhered to so that they can provide a safe and healthy environment for those who are comfortable worshiping in the sanctuary. FUPC members will be notified about the specific details regarding how you will be able to sign-up for attending worship services as well as the exact time of worship. They are working to add live streaming capabilities so that they can worship together in the sanctuary and at home simultaneously. If installation is delayed, it will impact the "in-person" worship start time. Please keep a close eye out for more information.

Until then, First United Presbyterian Church continues to conduct a “virtual” church service online. You can view the service in one of these ways:
Sunday & Thursday Fellowship on ZOOM
Sun. 10:15 am; Thurs. 6:30 pm

We are happy to be able to continue to provide a way for First Pres members to "get together" virtually, through the use of the ZOOM technology. You will receive a separate email shortly from Connie with the information for the upcoming Fellowship Sundays at 10:15 a.m. and Devotional Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., however note that the information has not changed. We now have communion as part of our Thursday evening devotional time. Participants are asked to have their own communion elements (bread and juice) ready and Nancy Siewert will conduct communion. Those who don't have the ability to go online will still be able to call in with the information provided. We hope that you will join us for the next best thing to being able to gather in person. It is great to see people's faces or hear their voices! (Marj Krause Crowl is on the phone in the photo.)
Deacons Brat Fry
August TBD

The Deacons are tentatively planning a brat and burger fry in August, but a date has not been determined yet. If you are interested in being part of or helping with the brat fry, please contact Kevin Kabacinski at (920) 619-4458.
HORIZONS Bible Study

The new study from Presbyterian Women is entitled “Into the Light, Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament”. When the theme was introduced three years ago, it seemed an unusual topic, but that certainly has changed. The author, Lynn Miller, artist and author with a Doctor of Ministry degree, says “Weekly congregational worship rarely included opportunities to lament but perhaps it should. Lament is a proper liturgical response to the suffering and sorrow of the real world.” Stay tuned for more tidbits next month. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the study, please let Nancy Siewert know, 920-609-2051 or dennis1829@att.net. The cost is $10 and comes in large print as well. Nancy will place an order in early August.
Pantry Donation

Recently the Pantry received a wonderful surprise from several employees of Guaranteed Rate Green Bay - a $1,450 donation! Amazingly, Amy Jo Tetzner, Adam Cook, Tonia Andersen, Sarah VandenLangenberg, Kristen Ambos, and Nick Wurzer all gave funds from their paychecks and Guaranteed Rate matched a percentage, to support their Grow For Good Food Pantry Giveback.The volunteers from the churches who support the pantry thank you all very much, and for choosing the Presbyterian Pantry of Green Bay as the recipient! We so appreciate their selfless donations - from your paychecks and your hearts. Pictured are: Amy Jo & Jared Tetzner, Adam Cook, Sara VandenLangenberg, as well as Pantry Board President Mary Ginnebaugh and Vice-President Stephanie Fahringer. Jared also serves on the Pantry Board.
Financial Report
July Birthdays
3rd - Kenneth Kabacinski

7th - Aubrey Early

10th - Sue Mikulsky

12th - Rosemary Minehart

15th - Brenda Hubbard

16th - Ann Argall; Teresa Schoffelman
18th - Julia Hansen

19th - Michelle Lardinois

20th - Hailey Gossen

22nd - Marjorie Crowl

28th - Robyn Gehri

30th - Patti Mancheski; Eric Sperduto

31st - Mary Nickel
*** July Calendar ***