Vol. XVII No. 7 www.ucccbboo.org July/August 2008
Guest Editorial – What is Interfaith Volunteers?
Pastor Doug asked me to fill in for him in this space in this issue of the Broadcaster. Believing he deserves some relief from the many extra things he has to do, like preparing worship bulletins for three Sundays, in getting ready for a couple of weeks of vacation, I gladly agreed.
Ten years ago I and Carolyn Kennedy, representing our church, along with representatives of several other Baraboo churches, organized the Sauk County Interfaith Volunteer Network, Inc. In doing so we had the financial and organizational backing of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Interfaith Volunteers is a nation wide organization with some 900 area organizations, some 40 of which are in Wisconsin. Interfaith Volunteers is a faith based organization providing volunteers who help people needing support due to age, disability, illness, or isolation, thereby strengthening the community and improving the quality of life of volunteers and persons receiving support. From its inception I have been President of the Board of Directors who are elected by the member organizations.
Those member organizations currently are: Reedsburg Area Medical Center; St. Clare Hospital; First Congregational UCC, Baraboo; First United Methodist Church, Baraboo; Knights of Columbus, Baraboo; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Baraboo; Trinity Baptist Church, Reedsburg; St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Baraboo; St. Vincent de Paul, Baraboo; St. John’s Lutheran Church, Reedsburg. Any religious congregation, service club, service agency, or business is eligible and encouraged to become a member. Member organizations are expected to provide some financial or in-kind support, appoint a representative who is empowered to vote on its behalf at the annual meeting, and encourage its members to volunteer in support of its mission.
I am very proud of the financial support our congregation has provided to Interfaith Volunteers over the years but I believe Audrey and I are the only members of our congregation who are volunteers for IVN. Our major support comes from the United Funds of Baraboo, Reedsburg, and Wisconsin Dells, and from St. Vincent de Paul. We have also received support from the Big Dig, occasional foundation grants, and gifts from member organizations, Board members, Friends of IVN, and service recipients.
We operate with one part time employee, Darcy Fry, who answers calls for help on a cell phone, 434-5486, and contacts a volunteer to provide the help needed. The highest number of calls is for transportation. Our volunteers have provided over 10,000 miles of transportation a year for the last several years. For several years I have personally driven around 2000 miles a year for IVN. We also provide a very special transport service in that we have people on call each day of the week to provide transportation to St. Clare Emergency Room patients after 10p.m. when taxi service is not available. Other things our volunteers do include errands, companionship, reading assistance, respite care, yard work, child care, and chores. Our volunteers have provided over 1,100 hours of help a year meeting over 500 requests. All this we do on the amazingly small budget of around $23,000. Darcy does most of her work out of her home but we do maintain offices at the Knights of Columbus Building, 1015 Draper St. (P.O. Box 672, Baraboo) and St. Vincent de Paul Store, 16 E. Main St., Reedsburg.
We are always looking for new volunteers. We especially need volunteers to be on call for the St. Clare Emergency Room service. If you are interested in being a volunteer contact me or Darcy at 434-5486.
Chris, President of the Board of Interfaith Volunteer Network
While Doug’s Taking Some Time Off/Vacation—and any time I’m away…
I will be away from church duties through July 7. In case of any urgent pastoral or parish needs while I’m away, please contact Moderator Kit Eilertson, 493-2394, or Parish Nurse Geri Schoenoff, 356-3473, or cell, 393-9559, for assistance or referral.—Pastor Doug
In Loving Memory of Phyllis
We give thanks to God for the life of Phyllis Mae Easland who joined the church triumphant on Sunday, June 15, 2008. Phyllis died after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Phyllis joined the membership of First Congregational UCC in 1999 by reaffirmation of faith and participated in Women’s Fellowship, choir and adult nurture and, in general, loved the people of this church. Phyllis gave many of us a precious, personal gift of being very up front about her health struggles, including some incredibly tough times with bipolar affective mood disorder and cancer. Phyllis was a brilliant person who was very passionate about equal rights and justice, a movie-buddy for Myra, a proud mother of Jen and Paul, a loving sister and daughter, and sometimes a clown—literally! She loved a wide range of good music, had an affection for horses and Native American culture and loved intellectual give and take. On a personal and pastoral level, I will miss Phyllis greatly, but give thanks that all pain and struggling for her is ended and that she is in the embrace of our loving God.—Pastor Doug
Seeking: Nursery Care Provider
The Diaconate is seeking a mature, responsible individual who enjoys children to care for our children from infancy through third grade during worship. This position will be available mid to late August. The Nursery Care Provider will be available for one and one-half hours per week. Volunteers from the church membership will assist weekly. Upon employment (this is a paid position), a background check is required. For more details regarding this position, please contact Shari Russell, Diaconate Chairman. The Church Cabinet has final approval of all recommendations for this position made by the Diaconate.
Southwest WI Assoc. Coming To Us!
A date has been set—Sunday, October 12—and First Congregational UCC, Baraboo, is the place. We will be hosting the Fall Association meeting and welcoming over 100 UCC folks from across the Southwest Wisconsin region for music, worship, business, dinner and a program about the intersections of faith and civic life and politics. We’ll need help, mostly in providing refreshments during the registration time, and dinner service, along with general hospitality. An initial planning meeting of Board and Committee chairs and church officers will take place before Cabinet meets, starting at 6 pm on Tuesday, July 8. Details will follow—but let Pastor Doug or one of those good folks know of your ideas, insights and so on. We hope this is an occasion for us to let our church shine in fun and creative ways of welcoming our sisters and brothers to Baraboo—really, for the first meeting we’ve hosted of this sort. Hope you’ll plan to be a part of the day!
Thank You to…
…Kay Hallanger, Gretchen Viney and Beth Voigt for providing pulpit supply and special worship leadership on June 29 and July 6.
…so many of you who pitched in to help prepare the downstairs Fellowship area and kitchen for Phyllis Easland’s memorial service luncheon, and also for contributing desserts and service to our guests. The family is truly grateful for all you’ve done, not only at this time, but throughout the years. A special thank you to Geri, not only for your loving care and concern for Phyllis as parish nurse, but also for your coordination of the luncheon, and fulfilling Phyllis’ wish that you would sing at the service.
…more thanks to Geri and to Dick Schoenoff, for hosting the picnic after worship in June. You’ve provided incredible hospitality once again!
…everyone who has and will be sharing “special music” during our summer worship services!
…Bill & Gretchen Dresen for making possible the extensive renovations to the downstairs nursery, fellowship, classroom and restroom areas—more to come on this in the future!
…also, Gretchen Dresen for once again caring for “mom’s” (Annette George) garden on the east side of the church—it’s beautiful!
From Our Parish Nurse By: Geri Schoenoff
Sweet Summer is here. Time to play, shed the old winter clothes, take some time to recharge the batteries, slow down, and “smell the roses”, as the old saying goes.
Many years from now when I have my first test to see if I’m developing dementia, I hope they ask me about the summer of 2008 because I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. The start to this summer has been so memorable and sad because of our devastating rain storms that have caused damage beyond comprehension and cost to our local area. Thankfully no loss of life, to my knowledge, has been reported as happened in the 1993 rain storms.
On the national scene, I’ve been deeply affected by our recent historic presidential campaign. To have candidates breaking down barriers of gender, age, and race discrimination is historic. Remembering many years ago as a young mother of four watching the civil rights marches on TV, I was appalled that black children needed to be escorted and protected by U.S. government marshals to seek an education equal to their white peers. To know, also, that many blacks wanted to vote but feared for their lives if they did. Many college kids and others saw the need and went South to give their support to end this injustice. For some it was the ultimate gift of their lives.
Forty years ago this past April, Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. Bobby Kennedy broke the news to a large gathering of black Americans during what was to be a California campaign rally stop for his bid to be the Democratic candidate for the President of the United States. From that speech, “What we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United states is not violence and lawlessness, but is love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black.”
Bobby’s life ended that night, but his eloquent words of compassion and healing still ring true.
We have the rest of summer to work, to heal, and mend the devastation of this storm of 2008. Also, ahead of us, is time to ponder within our hearts and minds the great issues facing our nation this Fall. Hatred and discrimination of another because of age, race, or gender demeans the privilege of voting.
From Ecclesiastes 3:1, Everything on earth has its own time and its own season. Vs. 8 There is also a time for love and a time for hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Happy July 4th. Shalom, Geri
Calendar of Events
Tues 1 6pm Trustees meet
Wed 2 6:30pm Mission/Social Concerns Board
Fri 4 7:30pm Concert & fireworks at High Sch
Sun 6 9:30am Worship led by Gretchen Viney
Communion by Rev. Beth Voigt
The Diaconate will not meet
Tues 8 6pm Cabinet members re hosting SW
Association meeting, Oct. 12.
7pm Regular Cabinet meeting
Thurs 10 7pm Concert on the Square
Sat 12 6:30pm Witwen – Madison Brass Band
Sun 13 9:30am Worship led by Pastor Doug
7pm Chapters 7-9 Blood Done Sign -
Tues 15 4:30pm Christian Ed Board at Obois’
Floating and snacks on the beach
Thurs 17 7pm Concert on the Square
Sat 19 Witwen – Nob Hill Boys Bluegrass B.
Sun 20 Worship led by Pastor Doug
Mon 21 2pm Parkinson’s support group
Thurs 24 7pm Concert on the Square
Sat 26 Witwen – New Horizons Swing Band
Sun 27 9:30am Worship led by Pastor Doug
7pm Chapters 10,11 & Letters from jail
Sun Aug 3 9:30am Worship with Communion
Dedication of Food Pantry Items
Diaconate meets after worship
Mon-Fri 4-8 9:30-11:30am Children in Oschner Pk.
Tues 5 Trustees meet
Wed 6 6:30pm Fellowship Committee meets
Thurs 7 7pm Concert on the Square
Sat 9 6:30pm Witwen – Dang-its! Country B.
Sun 10 9:30am Worship led by Pastor Doug
Tues 12 7pm Cabinet meets
Thurs 14 7pm Concert on the Square
Sat 23 6:30pm Witwen – Larry Busch Big B.
Sun 24 9:30am Worship led by Pastor Doug
Picnic after worship at Haskin Pk.
Thurs 28 7pm Concert on the Square
Sun 31 9:30am Worship led by Pastor Doug
Sun Sept 7 9am Xn Nurture Kick-Off Breakfast
10:15am Worship with Communion
Toiletry of the Month Club
In July bring antiseptic ointment or spray, calamine lotion, etc. for the small basket to go to Hope House and the Food Pantry.
In August please bring band-aids, gauze pads, etc.
Endowment Fund Scholarships For Higher Education
Apply for financial assistance—forms are in the literature stand by the choir room. Deadline for higher education scholarships application: August 1. Contact a Trustee or Pastor Doug to submit applications and/or get more details
JOYS, CONCERNS & PRAYER REQUESTS
“For _______, Jesus Christ, Lover of All, bring healing, bring peace.”
Continuing for the family of Phyllis Easland; all recovering from flooding and storms; Georgene Kunze; Bill Voigt’s mother, Barb; Terry, a friend of Pastor Doug; Cynthia Kauffman’s cousin Alice Cavaiani, and friend’s husband Richard Webster, and friend Mike Kalle; the husband of a colleague of Gretchen Viney, diagnosed with inoperable cancer; Blanche Eschenbach; Harvey & Mary Larson; Kathy Walker’s father.
Homebound / Long-Term Care: Dorothy Alexander; Mary Newgent; Ira Perry; Mary Porter.
Respecting others’ privacy, let Pastor Doug know of needs for pastoral visits with members/friends. Pastor Doug is available for appointments by calling the church office or his cell 393-0093. Parish nurse Geri Schoenoff can be reached at home, 356-3473, or cell, 393-9559. Geri has open hours at the First United Methodist office Thursdays, 10:30-2:30, and all are welcome to see her there.
Saxophones of Baraboo in Concert
The Saxophones of Baraboo, trained and directed by Jean Powell, will be performing their final concert, before the members leave for college and other interests, on Sunday, August 10, at 2p.m. at First Congregational UCC. You are invited.
They will also be participating in the service that morning as a thank you for using our facility for practice.
Liturgist Schedule
July 6 Matt Nygren
13 Janice Eckhart
20 Audrey Christofersen
27 Joanna Hollenbeck
Aug. 3 Shari Russell
10 Terry McCormick
17 Barbara McCormick
24 Gretchen Viney
31 Orie Eilertson
Sept. 7 Beth Voigt
