Congratulations Sawyer Ollanketo!
Sawyer, your graduation and all your achievements are testaments to your hard work and dedication; and when you begin the next chapter in life at UW-Platteville to study mechanical engineering, you'll keep on succeeding!
Once again, congratulations! The world needs your unique skills and talents – go forth and make a difference! Best wishes and God’s blessings for all the exciting things yet to come for you!
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Proclaiming the Spirit's Radical Inclusivity & Christ's Unifying Love!
On Pentecost Sunday, June 8th, we unveiled a new banner in the sanctuary! Designed and created by Rosangela Berbert, it is a visual expression of the Spirit's radical inclusivity and Christ's unifying love.
Vertical ribbons in 8 colors form a rainbow—recalling both God's covenant with creation (Genesis 9:13) and the beauty of human diversity held together in grace.
Above, a white dove descends with wings wide open, a symbol of the Holy Spirit present and active among us (Luke 3:22). Below, 2 uplifted hands remind us of our openness to receive God's gifts and to be vessels of love and justice in the world.
The banner bears these sacred words:
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"I will pour out my spirit on all people." (Joel 2:28; quoted in Acts 2:17)
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"You are one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)
Together, they proclaim a truth we hold dear: God's Spirit is for all, and in Christ, we are united—across every line that might divide.
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Stewardship
As we eagerly anticipate the future, we are thrilled about the plans God has for our faith community. We trust that with your ongoing support, we can create an even bigger impact and connect with more individuals through the message of love and hope. We appreciate your generosity, faithfulness, and dedication to our church’s mission!
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Oshkosh Pride 2025: Volunteer Sign-Up Open
First Pres is excited to sponsor Oshkosh Pride, and we’ll be setting up a table at Oshkosh Pride 2025 on Sunday, June 29th (2:00 – 7:00 p.m.)! If you’re interested in volunteering to spend an hour or two at our table chatting with Pride attendees and giving out free stickers and more, just reach out to Pastor Deb or sign up online.
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Saturday, June 28, 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, July 1 , 2025
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Magnolia Hall at First Pres
Join us for an amazing gathering where we’ll come together to worship God and explore the Bible. You’ll feel right at home in our friendly atmosphere as we exchange insights 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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Friends for Brunch
Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
Delta Family Restaurant
515 N. Sawyer Street, Oshkosh
920.235.0900 | Delta Family Restaurant Website
RSVP Online
Are you excited for wonderful company, delicious food, and fantastic times?!! Absolutely!
If so, we look forward to seeing you at "Friends for Brunch"!
This is a "no-host" gathering. Feel free to contact the restaurant for the menu and pricing details or visit their website.
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Oshkosh Pride 2025
Sunday, June 29, 2025 | 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Leach Amphitheater | 303 Ceape Avenue, Oshkosh
Rain Venue: Oshkosh Arena | 1212 South Main Street, Oshkosh
Come and be part of a lively celebration of love, identity, and community! Also, make sure to visit the First Pres table to greet us. This event is free and perfect for families, packed with fun! Let’s celebrate Pride with enthusiasm, pride, and unity!
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Save These Dates!
We’ll be sharing more details about these events in upcoming newsletters, but for now we absolutely would love for you to mark your calendar so you don’t miss them!
| Samaritan’s 55th Anniversary Open House | Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Streets of Hope – 3rd Annual Fundraiser for Day By Day Shelter | Friday, October 10, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | | | |
Adult Children of Alcoholics/Dysfunctional Families (ACA)
For more information:
Call 920.573.8198 or Email new612aca@gmail.com
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) is a Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition program of individuals who grew up in alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional homes. The ACA program was founded on the belief that family dysfunction is a disease that infected people as children and affects them as adults. Their membership also includes adults from homes where alcohol or drugs were not present; however, abuse, neglect or unhealthy behavior were present. Symptoms may include emotional distress, depression, panic attacks, addiction, hopelessness, helplessness, or self-esteem issues.
They meet to share their experience and recovery in an atmosphere of mutual respect. They discover how alcoholism and other family dysfunction affected them in the past and how it influences them in the present. They begin to see the unhealthy elements of their childhood. By practicing the Twelve Steps, focusing on the ACA Solution, and accepting a loving Higher Power of our own understanding, they find freedom.
Local ACA meetings are as follows:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 5:00 p.m.
- Calvary Lutheran Church | 2580 W. 9th Avenue, Oshkosh (entrance door on the side of church)
- Closed meeting; that is, this meeting is for ACA individuals only.
- 2nd & 4th Tuesday | 6:30 p.m.
- St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church | 1100 E. Murdock Avenue, Oshkosh (right door on front of the building, hallway to back)
- Open meeting; that is, this meeting is open to all.
- Saturday | 12:00 Noon
- St. Andrew Lutheran Church | 1100 E. Murdock Avenue, Oshkosh (down the hallway on the right, last room on the left look for sign outside of the door)
- Closed meeting; that is, this meeting is for ACA individuals only.
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Part three of the PC(USA)’s 'Journey to LGBTQIA+ Inclusion' is released
Kristen Gaydos and Randy Hobson, Presbyterian News Service
June 17, 2025
The General Assembly’s actions around LGBTQIA+ inclusion through the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s sparked conversation among church leaders and Presbyterians in the pews. They also led to the rise of grassroots groups that started advocating for inclusion.
Meanwhile, across the United States, court cases were starting to challenge state bans on same-sex marriage.
Watch the final video in the PC(USA)’s three-part Journey to Inclusion series to learn how Presbyterians worked toward achieving full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in the PC(USA).
Part 3 Video & Additional Resources
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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. | | | | | | |
