The Session continues to discuss and discern how God is calling us to keep moving forward. We are taking a look at both the community needs around us and the ministries we have that are flourishing. We continue to feel hopeful about our momentum and the ways our work is making a difference in the heart of Oshkosh. In the meantime, we continue with normal business and this month we have approved several building use requests from outside groups interested in utilizing our space. | | | |
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Oshkosh Pride 2025: Volunteer Sign-Up Open
First Pres is a proud sponsor of Oshkosh Pride, and we’ll have a table at Oshkosh Pride 2025 on Sunday, June 29th (2:00 – 7:00 p.m.)! If you’d like to volunteer to hang out at our table for an hour or two chatting with Pride visitors and handing out complimentary stickers and such, just give Pastor Deb call or sign up online.
Volunteer Sign-Up Form
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Young Adults Discover and Transform the World
South Carolina native Steffan [stef-ahn] Johnson found himself on a quest to discover the “real world” and started to make real progress when he enrolled in Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He dove into everything that the professors gave him. And even though seminary was life-changing, he needed to find the language where he could connect with everyday people to share what he learned.
And he ultimately did find it — through the PC(USA)’s Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program. The YAV program — which has been changing the lives of young people ages 19–30 for three decades — emphasizes living in intentional Christian community, spiritual formation, and vocational discernment. It is an ecumenical, faith-based year of service that is lived out in sites across the U.S., virtually, and around the world and is supported, in part, through the Pentecost Offering. The YAV slogan is “A year of service for a lifetime of change,” and so many of the young adults are “transformed” through their service. Read more.
We ask that all Pentecost Special Offerings be received by Friday, June 6th. Give Now!
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Stewardship
As we continue to look forward to the future, we are excited about what God has in store for our faith community. We believe that with your continued support, we can make an even greater impact and reach even more people with the message of love, hope, and salvation. Thank you for your generosity, faithfulness, and commitment to our church’s mission!
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Saturday, May 24, 2025 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Magnolia Hall at First Pres
Join your friends and family for a wonderful experience at the Community Breakfast! Enjoy delicious food and engage in heartfelt conversations. It's a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones.
If you're up for it, we would love any help you can provide while you're there. We could use assistance in different areas, such as setting up, cooking, cleaning, serving, or just chatting with guests. Let’s team up to make this event a memorable one for everyone! Whether you’re coming to enjoy a meal, lend a hand, or do both, it’s always a pleasure to see you and share some quality time!
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Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Magnolia Hall at First Pres
Join us for a delightful gathering where we’ll worship God and explore the Bible side by side. You’ll feel right at home in our inviting space as we discuss the teachings and celebrate Jesus Christ! Remember to bring your Bible, your lunch, and your eagerness to learn more about God’s word.
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Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – noon | First Pres Parking Lot
June is just around the corner, so it’s time to gear up for our Great Plant Exchange! And keep in mind, you don’t have to bring a plant to take one home!
Indoor and Outdoor Plants - free to a loving home! * Meet friends & exchange gardening tips
Drop off your extra flowers and plants to share with others * Donate plants in non-returnable containers
Pick up something new for your own garden * Non-invasive plants only!
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Surviving the World:
Finding Queer Resiliency in Art and Nature
Thursday, May 29, 2025 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Zoom
Free Event | Registration Required | Register Online
The LGBTQ+ community has faced hostile governments before, and they are still here fighting for queer liberation because they know how to come together in community to connect and build together. This workshop is designed to help connect with the power of queerness in nature and the power of creativity to build resilience and strength. We invite you to join Fair Wisconsin and artist Rhea Ewing for Surviving the World: finding queer resiliency in art and nature.
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Thursday, May 29, 2025 | 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Bubolz Nature Preserve | ChargePoint | 4815 N. Lynndale Drive, Appleton | Buy Tickets
Radiate Hope is Samaritan’s premier fundraising event. Held annually in May during Mental Health Month, this gathering brings together community members, business leaders, and supporters who share a commitment to ensuring mental health care is accessible to all, regardless of financial barriers. Proceeds from the event benefit the Samaritan Fund, which provides financial assistance to individuals and families in need of counseling services.
This year’s event features live music from local recording artist Lilie Collins, games, raffles, and auction opportunities. Tickets are $75 each.
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Safety Items Needed
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services
240 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh | 920.235.5998
Can you help survivors stay safe? Christine Ann is low on the items listed below; so, if you can help out, they’d appreciate it. Give them a call to schedule your drop off.
door stopper bars * door stop alarms * sliding window locks
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Find mental health support in tough times
When your mental health is off, it is important to find the help that is right for you. Where you go for help will depend on what is happening within your life. Often the best place to start is to talk with those that you already have connections with, including your friends and family, you primary care doctor, spiritual advisor, or local mental health organizations.
Help can be found across many places and depends on what type of support that you may need. It can start with participating in some self-care, or engage with friends, family, or someone else to talk to help you process, find a distraction or problem solve. If the problems in your life are stopping you from functioning well or feeling good, professional help can make a big difference. Even if you're not sure that you'd benefit from help, it can't hurt to explore the possibility. Engaging in formal services can help you:
Develop plans for solving problems * Feel stronger in the face of challenges
Change behaviors that hold you back * Look at ways of thinking that affect how you feel
Heal pains from your past * Think about your goals
Build self-confidence
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Secure gun storage is part of the PC(USA)’s ‘Decade to End Gun Violence’
By Mike Ferguson, Presbyterian News Service
May 16, 2025
LOUISVILLE — On Thursday, Temple Hiatt, a member of First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, Iowa, offered an informative webinar on safe gun storage. Dr. Andrew Peterson, Representative for Peacemaking in the Office of Public Witness, hosted the webinar as part of a partnership with Be SMART, a campaign launched a decade ago to promote responsible gun ownership in order to reduce child gun deaths.
The 225th General Assembly (2022) approved the 10-year campaign called “The Decade to End Gun Violence.” Peterson pointed workshop participants to this gun violence prevention page before introducing Hiatt, who’s been a Be SMART volunteer for seven years and is a member of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship’s Gun Violence Prevention Working Group. Hiatt, who works as a financial advisor, is a veteran who served with military police during the Gulf War. “In my free time,” she said, “I educate community members about the importance of secure gun storage. We all want kids to grow up happy and healthy.” Read more.
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Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. † In-Person † Facebook † YouTube | | | |
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| First Presbyterian Church is a member of More Light Presbyterians, a coalition of churches whose mission is to work for the full participation of the LBGTQ community in the life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in society. | | | | | | |
