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Tower Notes –October 2019

Celebrating 174 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. Tanya Sadagopan

E-mail: revtanya@janesvilleucc.org

And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. Mark 16:15

Dear Members and Friends of Janesville UCC!

We have GOOD NEWS! Yes, it’s October, a time for cool nights, fall colors, pumpkins and

apples--when the Midwest really shines and shows off its beauty.

But this time Good News we have isn’t about us, it’s about what we have to share with others.

We have been given SEED MONEY from the Wisconsin Conference to give away to people so that

they can share their gifts and talents with the world. It’s like the TV show “Shark Tank” for regular

people—kids, teens, young and old. Anyone who has an idea—no matter how big or small.

‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR’ SOCIAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE

A Collaborative Workshop

Saturday OCTOBER 19TH 9am-5pm

Lunch provided

See the flyer on page 2 for more details!

Registration Link

https://www.wcucc.org/event/catalyst-team-social-innovation-challenge/

Our church is hosting the “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR SOCIAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE”

where we will give away seed money to small enterprises and non-profit ideas to innovators young

and old. It is a workshop designed to encourage people to think about the difference they can

make in their communities by sharing their gifts and talents.

If music is your thing, how might you use your gift of music to contribute to the people of Janesville?

If photography is your thing, how might your pictures bless others?

Pastor’s Message

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What if you see a need in Janesville and you have an idea to make your little corner of the world

better—take a risk and share it.

Get some coaching, and who knows your project may find its wings!

The church usually waits patiently for the community to walk through our doors and see if what we

have to offer will help people on their journey. What if the church listened to Jesus’s call to us to

“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news!? What if we go out to the community and ask,

“HOW CAN WE HELP YOU ACCOMPLISH YOUR DREAMS?!

And we have some SEED MONEY to help make that happen!”

Your God given talents can be used to make this world a little kinder, a little more beautiful, and

little more neighborly! THAT is the ‘Love Your Neighbor’ Social Innovation Challenge

Workshop.

We need innovators, observers, volunteers, and mentors too! Contact us for more details!

Let’s see what God will do in our midst.

Pastor Tanya

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Worship in October

Oct 6: Theme: Jeremiah 32, Planning for the future Oct 20: Theme: Habakkuk-Wait for a Sign

& World Communion Day Liturgist: Nathan Roehl

Liturgist: Brittney Mansur Coffee Hour:

Coffee Hour: Consistory

Oct 13: Theme: Guest preacher-Mary Gafner Oct 27: Theme: Jeremiah 31, I will write my law

Liturgist: Barbara Bendlin upon their Heart

Coffee Hour: Mary Williams Liturgist: Pat Scott

Coffee Hour: Debi Cox

Thank you to our ushers in September: Nathan Roehl, Greg Anderson, Gary Teubert, Keith &

Bonnie Stalker.

Thank you to September coffee hour hosts: Education Ministry, Barb Werfal, Jean & Dave

Schollmeier, Ann Forbeck & Marlyn Kolinsky.

Thank you to September liturgists: Brittney Mansur, Nancy Hough, Mike Rundle, Rita Feirn,

Audrey Burhans, Nathan Roehl.

Thank you to all the acolytes, greeters, and extra ushers for stepping up at the last minute.

October BIRTHDAYS, Happy Day to All!

2 Carter Dieckhoff 18 Maxine Cox 23 Josette Scott

5 Ian Groth 18 Jeanine Fry 23 McKenzy White

6 Joan Neeno 19 Jeannine Fitzgerald 28 Debi Cox

7 Rob Swenson 22 Roxanne Murwin 29 Judith Anderson

8 Jim Cripe 23 Judy Alt 30 Dawn Endl

16 Matthew Knutson 23 Diana Kjendle 31 Katsumi Neeno

October ANNIVERSARIES, Congratulations

8 Kim & Scott Roberts 26 Mark & Marlene Gilmore

18 Tony & Jamie Dieckhoff 27 Ben & Emily Rein

21 Mark & Janet Carlson 28 Andrea & David McCabe

November Tower Notes:

Articles due ~ Oct 23

If your name ever gets

missed from the birthday

or anniversary list, please

let Becky know.

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Thought for the month: The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose

of life is to give it away. Pablo Picasso

As we are fed at Christ’s table we go out to feed others. Our total contribution

for September was 96 pounds. Thank you to everyone who contributed food

and money.

Life is an echo... what you send out,

you get back! ECHO October Needs:

Money Toothbrushes Peanut butter & jelly Feminine products Spaghetti sauce Deodorant

Mac & Cheese Dish soap Brown paper bags Shampoo

Breakfast bars Laundry Soap

Twisty Ties Fans

Razors Tuna

Toilet Paper Diapers (size 3-6)

EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER

Parker H.S. October 26th

For details, see ECHO’s website

ECHOJanesville.org

Seekers book club will begin reading and discussing the book

“The Gnostic Gospels” by Elaine Pagels in October. They meet at 4:00 on Thursdays in their new meeting room, #203. If you have questions about Seekers, contact Larry Barton at lwbarton@charter.net

Golden Bandstand 1969

50th Anniversary Fundraiser

October 5th 7:00 – 11:00

Dance away the night like it’s 1969 again at

Janesville’s most popular ‘60s venue—the

Armory. Dance, sing and listen to Rockford’s #1

dance band, Big Stuff, as they play your favorite

‘60s hits.

We’re even pricing this event like it was the ‘60s

with 2 tickets for a bargain $50 or $30 for one.

Additional features of the evening include: Heavy

Apps, Deserts, Drinks, Dancing, and a very

special Celebrity Costume Contest!

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Music Scholars for 2019-2020 year.

Front row L-R: Kaiya Hutter, Kiley Thiele, Sarah Parker

Back row L-R: Kahler Thiele, Emily Babcock, Michael Rick, Dr. Brian Knutson

They will perform with the Chancel Choir and occasionally show their individual talents.

Peace Walk

Blanket of Protection—Thanks to our

own Brittney Mansur who organized the

event. I spoke at the event and told a

powerful story about a quilt that came to

life while I shared the story

The next Community Meal will be

held on Saturday October 5th

4:00.

The menu will be shredded turkey

sandwiches, chips & pickles, green salad,

fruit cocktail, cookies & bars, and a beverage.

Contact Bonnie Stalker or Nancy Stabb for more

information or to help out.

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Sunday School and Youth Group News

Collection for UNICEF during Worship on Oct. 27th Poverty, illness, and violence towards innocent children continue to plague our world. We

are called as people of faith to act against these injustices. Please consider giving

generously to help counter these threats to innocent children. The children will be

learning ways to help people in need and will be there to receive your offering in worship

Save the Date: Christmas Pageant- December 15th

All PK-12th grade students are welcome and encouraged to help us tell the story

of the miracle of Christ’s birth during worship on December 15th. We will have

rehearsals planned for Saturday December 14th and one more TBD. Please look

for information in the coming weeks as we prepare for this exciting time of year!

Questions? Contact the Jamie Dieckhoff, the Director of Christian Education at

jamie@janesvilleucc.org.

All students in grades 6-12 are invited to Youth Group! Regular meetings will resume when Jamie Dieckhoff returns from her

medical leave in the upcoming weeks. Please be on the lookout for

meeting information to follow. Thank you for your patience as we

prepare to kick-off this new year of fun and fellowship!

Calling all Youth: “Love Your Neighbor” Challenge 10/19

What would you do to make Janesville a better place?

Put your faith into action on October 19th by coming to the Janesville UCC

“Love Your Neighbor Social Innovation Challenge” from 9am-5pm (lunch will

be served). Bring your unique ideas of how to make a Janesville a better place

for all. The top ideas will receive cash prizes, and mentors will be provided for

project guidance. Projects ideas can come from individuals or a team (including

families), and youth are encouraged to participate!

Don’t have an idea yet? That’s OK, just come to this workshop to find

inspiration. Volunteers are also needed throughout the day, so all Youth are

encouraged to reach out to Pastor Tanya or Jamie for volunteer opportunities.

More information and registration for for this free event can be found here:

www.wcucc.org/event/catalyst-team-social-innovation-challenge/

Wisconsin Conference UCC Youth Events

For more information about these events, visit wcucc.org

Knock Knock! (middle school): Pilgrim Center, November 22-24

Jesus Core (high school): Pilgrim Center, January 10-12

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Consistory News from September 24th

Consistory appreciates Ken Forbeck for his work on the climate strike, to Sunday School & nursery volunteers, to Ashley Cuevas for her Sunday media moment, and to Linda Stehura for keeping Consistory minutes.

Treasurer Bo Klotz reported that the church’s member contributions to date exceed the budgeted amount by

about $3,000. Yet Member contributions for August were almost $6,000 below the budgeted amount,

maintenance and repair costs have added to this year’s expenses.

On September 25 Pastor met with Kristi Reuter from Angus Young and VJS Construction to go over the design and build process for the historic renovation.

The Love Your Neighbor Social Innovation Challenge is set for October 19. The five top proposals will be awarded grants of $500 to $1,500 to put their ideas into action. We will have a representative from the national UCC. This idea is from the United Church of Canada, and Wisconsin UCC hopes to replicate that success here.

Pastoral care continues to be a priority for Pastor Tanya. On September 18 she led worship at Cedar Crest.

In our wider community, Pastor Tanya participated in the Fourth Ward Peace Walk on September 18 and represented the church at Trinity Episcopal Church’s 175th anniversary dinner.

Pastor Tanya has been chosen to be a mentor for UCC clergy in Wisconsin. She will be in Chicago October 10-13 for training for this new role. All expenses for this program, including a pulpit supply stipend, are paid by a Lilly Foundation grant.

Christian Education— Ruth Robinson reported that she and Joan Kalweit are planning lessons for Sunday School volunteers, that the children will have pictures and name tags to help volunteers learn names and faces, and that no adult education programs will be planned until January.

Finance— Janet Hay reported that work on the choir and handbell areas is underway, that a wall will replace an accordion door in the rotation room, that curtains are up in both the bell choir room and the Seekers room, and that Lloyd’s Plumbing will repair the boiler before cold weather sets in.

Membership Ministry— Debi Cox reported that hosts are needed for coffee hour and that coffee hour will soon stop using disposable plastic spoons, forks, and cups.

Outreach Ministry— Diane Henrichs reported that she and Nancy Stabb attended a Community Resources for Latinos meeting, that July’s homeless count recorded only 15 homeless individuals (many homeless avoid the count), and that the Community Meal fund is at $582. The pastor’s discretionary fund requires additional contributions to be able to meet current needs within the congregation.

Submitted by Linda Stehura

Outreach is looking for persons in the congregation who speak Spanish.

See Diane Henrichs or Nancy Stabb.

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Notes from Outreach Ministry:

Thanks to John Merz for mounting the outdoor and indoor Love your Neighbor No Exceptions posters.

Kudos to Brittney Mansur who organized the Peace Walk in Fourth Ward Park September 18 and for Pastor Tanya who participated as a speaker.

Kudos to Ken Forbeck for organizing the Janesville Student Climate Action September 20.

Fourth Ward Neighborhood Needs and Activities: See John Mansur for details.

Oct.12. Large Item Pickup Drivers with trucks who can help meet at 4th Ward Park 8 am.

Oct. 31 Trunk or Treat on Wilson Street. See Janet Hay or Dave Schollmeier for details.

October Giving Opportunity: Neighbors in Need (NIN), is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants. There will be special envelopes in the pews or you may give online through Easy Tithe.

Immigration: This month Dr. Scott Warren, an instructor at Arizona State University is going on trial in Federal court in Tucson for the second time, for providing humanitarian aid to migrants at the border. Google his name to learn more. The first trial resulted in a hung jury, 8 for acquittal and 4 for conviction. Please pray for him and his family, that he will prevail and not spend 20 years in prison for providing food, water, rest and health care to these needy people. Talk to Diane Henrichs for more details

SAVE THE DATES: Anniversary Celebration

February 16, 2020: catered lunch after church

May 16, 2020: special music and church tours

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This page was attached

to the Tower Notes that

were mailed.

First Congregational United Church of Christ 54 South Jackson Street, Janesville, Wisconsin 53548

Telephone: (608) 752-8716

An Open & Affirming and

Immigrant Welcoming Church

E-Mail: janesvilleucc@janesvilleucc.org Website: www.janesvilleucc.org

Like us on Facebook: Janesville UCC Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 am to 1 pm; Closed Fridays

Ministers All Members of First Congregational UCC

Pastor Rev. Tanya Sadagopan

Christian Ed. Director Jamie Dieckhoff

Music Director Dr. Brian Knutson

Organist David Newman

Digital Communications Ashley Cuevas

Secretary Becky Kingsbury

Bookkeeper Denise Caldwell

Custodian Andrew Driscoll

Nursery Coordinator Katie Keim

Church Leadership & Volunteers

President Mike Rundle

Treasurer Bo Klotz

Finance Chair George Tucker

Lawn Mowing Schollmeiers, Greg Shebesta, Mark Carlson, Bill Williams,

Ian & Dave Groth, Doug Newton

First Congregational Church

54 South Jackson Street

Janesville, WI 53548