INSIDE: Faith Alive! U: Continuing the Conversation Toward a Reconciling In Christ Congregation this Sun., at Noon

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Jan. 2:

• @@@@@: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Nursery available.

Wednesday, Jan. 5:

• 6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Nursery available.

COVID-19 Update

• Pastors and our COVID Advisory Panel gather to evaluate when and how the church can be open. These are our current recommendations:

  • Worship: online & in-person wearing masks

  • Small groups: online & in-person; precautions determined by entire group

Precautions for In-Person Worship

Worship services are offered in-person, indoors at all services. Currently we are asking, for the safety of ALL members, that everyone wear a mask during worship. Registration and social distancing are currently not required for most services. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

Office closures

The office will be closed at the following times in the coming days…

• At noon on Friday, Jan. 31

• Monday, Jan. 3 (New Years observed)

Faith Alive! U: Continuing the Conversation Toward a Reconciling In Christ Congregation

Presented by First’s Reconciling in Christ Team, in-person in the sanctuary, Sunday, Jan. 2 at noon:

In 2019, the Vision and Leadership Team determined that it was time for us to explore the possibility of becoming a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Congregation. A team was formed and all set to dig more deeply into the training and work, and then the pandemic hit. However, the Vision and Leadership team continued to hear God’s call to Welcome All, Build Community and Serve Our Neighbors and so when virtual trainings became available, our RIC team once again took up the task of guiding our congregation on the journey toward becoming an RIC congregation.

What is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, you may be wondering. A Reconciling in Christ congregation commits to:

1. Explicitly stating a welcome to people of “all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions” or “LGBTQIA+” and names its commitment to “racial equity” or
   “anti-racism” in its welcome statement. 

2. Being open to calling an LGBTQIA+ and Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Rostered Leader. 

3. Allowing community space/sanctuary to be used for LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings. 

4. Making a meaningful contribution annually to support the national RIC program.

This holy ministry is about living the journey by creating ongoing milestones to help us deepen and expand our community’s welcome. It is certainly a journey with many steps that will take several years to complete and may not lead to First Lutheran becoming an RIC community. The journey, the work, will help us deepen our faith, put our faith into action and speech, and ultimately create a vibrant community that lives into our stated values. This work has already begun, but we are still in the early stages, building relationships and seeking understanding.

The Faith Alive! U event is intended for confirmation students, high schoolers and all adults. Childcare will be available in the nursery for kids not yet in grade school. A light lunch will be provided before the presentation.

RIC small groups will meet throughout the month of January, with the first groups starting THIS Wednesday, Jan. 5… Go to 1stlu.org/RICgroups to choose which small group works best for you!

Coffee with Pastor Karyn

Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 6:30am each Wednesday in the narthex. See you there! Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. Next meeting: Jan. 6, 9:00am. Help us take down and store the Christmas decorations. Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free! Questions? Text/call Dave at 608.780.0135.

Drawing from the Well

This group is for women of First and the greater La Crosse area seeking to support one another in their spiritual growth. We gather to develop a deeper relationship with one another, meeting on the second Saturday of the month, 9:30–11am, in the narthex, with the next one on Saturday, Jan. 8. Contact Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.

Grade 2 Faith Alive Building Block: What’s Fair

Throughout the year, each age group will have a special “Faith Building Block” session in which parents or special adults are asked to attend class with their child on Sundays at 9:15am (in Fellowship Hall), sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. The session lasts for 2-3 weeks, and afterwards, children will have a presence in worship to celebrate the Faith Building Block they have learned.

• Sundays, Jan. 9 & 16, 9:15am: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Jan. 23: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Monday Night Community Meals

For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the northside of La Crosse has hosted a meal on Monday nights. First Lutheran has agreed to help with this important community ministry, by preparing a meal, serving the food, and cleaning up. We need people to plan and prepare the meal to feed 60-80 people, and folks to serve the meal (5-6pm) and help with cleanup. Meal prep can be done at your convenience. Many times people prepare the main course a week ahead, freeze it and reheat it. Food for the meal can be gotten at no charge from the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse. Our next date is Jan. 10. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Blood Drive

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, 12:30–5:30pm. Every day, ordinary people are saved by some pretty extraordinary people. People who give blood. Your donation could be the most valuable gift you ever give. Just ask anyone who’s ever received. Appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. Please wear a mask and bring a photo ID.

Free Series For Caregivers

The Franciscan Spirituality Center and the Aging and Disability Resource Center have collaborated on a new series designed to support caregivers. “Refresh and Renew: A Caregiver Series” will meet in person, once a month, initially at the FSC’s temporary space at River Crossing Square, 500 Second St. S., Suite 201, and later this fall at 920 Market St. Sessions are free, but registration is required at www.FSCenter.org or 608.791.5295. Participants may attend any or all of the sessions in the series…

• “Art as Prayer,” Jan. 12, with Mary Thompson.

• “Coffee and Conversation,” Feb. 9, with Steve Spilde.

• “Walking the Labyrinth,” March 9, with Jean Pagliaro.

Synod School of Theology: Introduction to the Old Testament

The winter 2021 term of the Synod School of Theology will run from Jan. 13–Feb. 18 (all classes on Thursday evenings), covering an introduction to the Old Testament, presented by Pastor Mark Jolivette. For more info and registration go to 1stlu.org/theology.

Warming Center

The La Crosse Warming Center will be open through April 30. The Warming Center provides a place for individuals who are living in homelessness to have a warm place to sleep overnight, shower, do laundry and get a meal. As was done last year, the first two Fridays of each month are "Lutheran Night." A number of local ELCA churches are working together to staff those two Friday nights, and provide food for dinner. Orientation and training is provided. Go to 1stlu.org/warm for more info. Questions? Contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Volunteer Appreciation Party

Sunday, Jan. 16, 11:45am. A warm thank you! Why? To thank everyone 
for being Christ’s hands and feet! Questions? Contact kathryn@firstlu.org.

OWLs

The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will kick off January with a potluck on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at noon in the Narthex. Bring a dish to share. For our program, Pastor Karyn will discuss what it means to explore being a “Reconciling in Christ Congregation.” She will explain what the program is, what the congregation needs to do, what we as individuals can do and if there is anything the OWLs as a group can do. If you have questions, please bring them; Pastor Karyn will be glad to interact with us.

For their January outing the OWLs will fly to see “Looney Lutherans” at the Heider Center in West Salem. The Looney Lutherans are a trio of wacky gals who use music, comedy and some help from the audience to share their age-old wisdom for living a long and lively life, the Lutheran way. DATE: Thursday, Jan. 20; meet at the church at 4:30pm and car pool to West Salem. If you don’t want to drive to West Salem, we will find you a ride. Before the show, we will have dinner at the Westview Inn. COST OF SHOW: $22, dinner is on your own. RSVP to owls@firstlu.org / 630.816.5917; most area shows are selling out fast so let Brian know ASAP if you plan to attend. Brian will buy the tickets; you can pay Brian the night of the outing.

Parents’ Night Out

Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ fundraiser! WHERE: at First Lutheran, NEXT: Friday, Jan. 28, FOR: Birth–12 are welcome (Birth–3 will be in the nursery, ages 4 and up in Fellowship Hall)

• Registration from 4:45pm-5:30pm

• Followed by dinner and activities till 8:30pm (parents can pick up early if needed)

COST: Free will donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2022 Sugar Creek Bible camp, mission trip and ELCA Youth Gathering.

Sugar Creek Events

• Fri.–Sun., Jan. 28-30, High School Youth Retreat

• Sunday, Jan. 30, Winter Family Fun Day

To register for the above events, contact the camp at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.

Quilters Need Sheets

First Lutheran's quilters need sheets, sheets & more sheets! They can be cotton, cotton-blend or flannel. They can be any size. They can be used, but please, be sure they're clean. Drop them off at the church office during regular hours or when you're here for church on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings. The quilters say thank you!

YAGM’s are Back for 2022 

ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) will be back in the world, in 9 foreign countries in 2022-23! YAGMs are young adults aged 21–29 and this is the time to reach out to new candidates. Application deadline: Feb. 1, 2022 (priority deadline Jan. 15.) Learn more at elca.org/yagm. 

Summer Camp Job Openings

Both Bible camps in our synod are in the process of hiring summer staff in various positions…

• Luther Park Bible Camp: What are the benefits to working at camp during the summer time? Listen to this video with some of the Luther Park Bible Camp 2021 Summer Staff expressing their favorite moments. Then share with adults young and old in your congregation and community. Find more about summer employment. Positions available for counselors, lifeguards, worship leaders, cooks, nurses, and more.

• Sugar Creek Bible Camp: Apply yourself or recommend others for camp staff positions. Few jobs are as meaningful as the life-changing role of a professionally-trained Bible camp counselor.

Volunteer at the ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis

Wish you could attend and be a part of the fun and excitement of the ELCA Youth Gathering, but you’re no longer a teenager? Then check out the volunteer opportunities! Volunteers make the ministry of the gathering happen, and there’s no registration fee! Sign up at 1stlu.org/ygvolunteer. The ELCA Youth Gathering runs July 24–28, 2022 in Minneapolis.

Keep Up with Changes: Update Your Contact Info

Make sure the office has your current contact info, including current address, mobile number(s), carrier info (for reminders by text), and email(s). Send to office@firstlu.org.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Jan. 2

  • No Sunday School

• Sunday, Jan. 9

  • Sunday School Classes

Questions regarding Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.

Confirmation

• Sunday, Jan. 2:

  • No Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes. Classes will resume Jan. 9.

• Wednesday, Jan. 5:

  • Gr 8 & 9 Confirmation Small Groups

Questions regarding confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.