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Christmas Poinsettias

Adorning the chancel with poinsettias beautifies the sacred space of our church during the Christmas season! If you’d like to sponsor poinsettias this season, please order no later than Sunday, November 24, 2024. Convenient forms will be in the Sunday bulletins or order online here.

Brown Bag Bible Exploration

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Magnolia Hall at First Pres

(please note the change in location to Magnolia Hall)

If you’re looking for a supportive and nurturing environment where you can delve into your faith, then this group is for you. Bring your Bible, bring your thirst for God’s Word, bring your lunch, and join us for Brown Bag Bible Exploration.

Community Breakfast

Saturday, November 23, 2024 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Magnolia Hall at First Pres

The community breakfast serves as a vital hub for connection and support, providing a wholesome, homecooked meal along with a chance to spark meaningful conversations. We invite you to join us in this experience—whether you're seeking help, eager to lend a hand, or simply want to connect with a caring community. Together, we aren’t just enjoying a meal; we’re nurturing the very foundations of our community.

Hanging of the Greens

Sunday, December 1, 2024

10:30 a.m.

First Pres Sanctuary

Advent is a season of preparation for Jesus’ birth, and that preparation includes our worship space. Join us as we gather to adorn our sanctuary and contemplate the everlasting life that is associated with the greenery.

Christmas Cookie Exchange

Sunday, December 8, 2024 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Magnolia Hall at First Pres

A cookie exchange is a fabulous way to celebrate the holidays and get everyone together! So, here’s the scoop on how this will work while you Connect Over Coffee after worship:

2 dozen cookies are requested (6 each in plastic sandwich bag - labeled with cookie name) BUT
You don’t need to bring cookies to get some!
Bring copies of your recipe to share with anyone who finds your cookies delicious!
Drop off on Sunday morning, December 8th, in the “Cookie Exchange” bin next to the hospitality table (by church office)
Meet in Magnolia Hall at 10:30 a.m. to choose treats - and hang out with the crowd!

Lunch and a Movie: White Christmas

Sunday, December 8, 2024 | 11:45 a.m.| Multipurpose Room (#103) at First Pres

RSVP: on or before Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Don’t miss this fabulous opportunity to gather with friends and family for an afternoon at the movies. Laugh, talk, and bond with all who attend. Feel free to bring your own camp chair if that enhances your comfort at this event!

We’ll enjoy a scrumptious chili lunch (regular and white meat chicken) – plus mini corn dogs, corn bread, fixins’, and more; and then the movie begins! The classic White Christmas will bring joy to your heart! Two talented song-and-dance men team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. One winter, they join forces with a sister act and trek to Vermont for a white Christmas. The real adventure starts when the star performers discover that the inn is run by their old army general who’s now in financial trouble. And the result is the stuff dreams are made of!

So, bring your family and friends. And let us know today that you’ll be joining the fun! Convenient forms will be in the Sunday bulletins or order RSVP here.

22nd Annual Race for the Light 5K Fun Run

Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 3:30 p.m.

EAA Youth Education Center

(EAA AirVenture Museum)

3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh

To register:

~ Call Oshkosh Area United Way 920.235.8560

~ Email oauw@oshkoshunitedway.org

~ Register Online here

Don your favorite holiday gear and join family and friends as we descend upon the EAA Grounds on Saturday, December 7th, for the 22nd annual Race for the Light 5K, hosted by and benefiting Oshkosh Area United Way.

Your journey begins at the EAA Youth Education Center (EAA Aviation Museum) and takes you through Celebration of Lights at Camp Scholler. It’s the perfect way to kick off the season of giving and support a more vibrant community.

Toy Shop/Toys for Tots

The Salvation Army

Oshkosh Seasonal Assistance Program Registration Ends: November 29, 2024

To register:

~ Call 920.232.7660

~ Register Online here

To sign up for seasonal assistance, please call the Salvation Army on or before the deadline. Distribution will take place on the dates and at the location below and will be done by appointment only. All registered families will be mailed or emailed appointment cards. These cards along with a photo ID will need to be presented at time of pickup.

Distribution Dates

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Friday, December 20, 2024

Distribution Site

706 Oregon Street, Oshkosh

(the old Salvation Army Thrift Store)

Register to Ring

The Salvation Army

To register:

~ Call 920.232.7660

~ Register Online here

Most of The Salvation Army’s operating funds come from their famous Red Kettle Campaign. And they’re looking for folks like YOU to lend a hand as a bell ringer. The ringing shifts are 2 hours and you can volunteer in 3 ways:

As an individual
As a group with family, friends, and/or co-workers
As a virtual ringer

Day By Day Shelter: Wish List

Donation Hours:

Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. or by appointment

420 Ceape Avenue, Oshkosh | 920.203.4536

As the weather turns colder, Day By Day Shelter guests need your help staying warm! Please consider donating new or gently used winter coats, scarves, hats, mittens, or hand warmers. And the Shelter needs other essentials, too. Check out the wish list below. Thank you, Oshkosh community!

deodorant * body wash * shampoo/conditioner * cereal & juice

umbrellas * backpacks * dryer sheets * paper towels * garbage bags (4-55 gallon)

cleaners: floor, spray, and window * coffee & powdered creamer

hats, mittens, winter coats, hand warmers

Support for Family Caregivers

Website: wisconsincaregiver.org

Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC)

~ Call 877.886.2372

~ Email adrc@winnebagocountywi.gov

The Wisconsin Family Caregiver Program has shared a toolkit with several articles, videos, and resources regarding caregiving. Additionally, their website provides information about a variety of caregiver support groups. You can find the toolkit and additional caregiver resources on their website.

As a caregiver, could use some respite? Respite is another word for short-term relief for a primary caregiver. This time away can provide caregivers with time to rest, travel, spend time with other family and friends, or simply to watch their favorite TV show without interruptions. There are several respite programs and other resources that staff at the ADRC at Winnebago County can talk with you about. Please reach out to discuss options!

‘Food Vision 2030’ calls for improved access to healthy food while supporting local farmers and food workers

Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service

November 14, 2024

“Food Vision 2030: Food Justice is Racial Justice,” the draft document rolled out and explored during the recent People’s Summit on Food Systems and Urban Agriculture sponsored in part by the Presbyterian Hunger Program, maps out “strategies and organizing efforts necessary to create a truly just city and food system” in Louisville.

Held in September in Louisville, the daylong People’s Summit included two delicious meals and two sets of workshops following three tracks: environmental and climate justice, just and resilient food economy and healthy local food for all, which aligned with the vision’s three main principles. Read more.

Minute for Mission: Transgender Day of Remembrance

Rosa Ross (she/her), M. Div., is a trans woman doing ministry at UKirk Ewing and Ewing Covenant Presbyterian Church in New Jersey. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s LGBTQIA+ Equity Advocacy Committee.

November 20, 2024

During his trial, Jesus was put in a difficult position by Pilate. The authorities that condemned him saw Jesus as a mere man, but he was so much more. Pilate wanted Jesus to speak his truth, but Pilate had already judged his truth as a lie. He wanted Jesus to admit he was the Messiah to ridicule and punish him. Although he was killed in part for his honest response, Jesus’ answer has resonated with Christians for centuries: “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth …” (John 18:33–40).

Most trans people have found themselves in terrible conundrums similar to this: awkward, cringey, frightening. We’re asked in public about our genitals or what our former names were, just to be told who we know ourselves to be isn’t who we really are. Sometimes people are curious, a bit green to these kinds of conversations, and their genuine desire to know is communicated poorly, more “impolite” than threatening. But sometimes, like Jesus with Pilate, these questions are a trial to “expose us.” Often this is just to be ridiculed by bullies, people with nothing better to do than to share their little opinions. However, the reality is these situations carry an implicit threat of violence with the potential to be life-ending. Read more.