Lenten Study Series

Turning Over Tables by Kathy Escobar

Every Sunday after worship

February 22 - March 29 | 10:45 - 11:45 a.m.

First Pres Sanctuary

This year, our church will use the season of Lent to facilitate conversation navigating how, together, we can turn the tables and build a world where justice, healing, and equity reign supreme.

With keen insight and unwavering conviction, visionary pastor Kathy Escobar guides us on a Lenten journey inspired by the ways of Jesus to dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice. From flipping the moneychangers’ tables in the temple to uplifting the poor and marginalized, Jesus’ actions and words turn the world’s idea of power on its head. With each week of Lent, we'll dig deeper into Jesus’ challenge to the pervasive influence of privilege and oppression that have dominated since ancient times.

Although it's not necessary to read Turning Over Tables to participate in the Lenten study series, feel free to purchase a copy. Any number of outlets are selling Turning Over Tables; and for your convenience, we've provided several links where you can buy hard copies or eBooks. In case your budget needs to prioritize other expenses, we'll have a few extra complimentary copies on hand.

Easter Flower Patronage

If you would like to sponsor flowers this Easter season, please complete the online form and send payment to the church office on or before Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Sponsor Easter Flowers Here!

Recycle White Styrofoam at First Pres

Not sure what to do with white styrofoam? Just look for the new recycling box at the back of Magnolia Hall - by the coat racks - and drop off white, clean styrofoam there.

Hygiene Drive Donation Bin

By the Community Crossroads Bulletin Board

Donation Hours: | Thursday mornings: 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. | Sundays: before and after worship

Queer Crafternoon

Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

137 Algoma Boulevard, Room 208, Oshkosh

Join this fun afternoon of creative joy! Use supplies provided by NEW-RC or bring your own craft. This event is open to ALL AGES!

Accessibility Information:

There is an elevator available for access to the third floor.

The space in navigable by wheelchair.

SPARK! at the Paine

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Paine Art Center and Gardens (Studio on Lower Level)

1410 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh

On the last Wednesday of each month, the Paine hosts a free program for people with memory loss and their care partners – SPARK! Together, they enjoy activities related to art, gardens, and current events or exhibitions at the Paine. The programs are not reminiscent, nor do they rely on recalling memories, but rather focus on observations, conversations, and creative experiences.

The program welcomes care partners to stay actively engaged in their communities while having tangible experiences in a comfortable, small-group environment with specially trained staff and volunteers. Facilitators have been trained by Alzheimer’s professionals and collaborate with community partners to continually enhance programming.

SPARK! is something that happens between care partners when involved in a stimulating and engaging experience – SPARKing a moment together – living in the moment.

Oshkosh Art Collective

5th Annual OAC art Supply Swap

Sunday, March 1, 2026 | 12 Noon - 2:00 p.m.

The Oshkosh Tool Library

300 S. Koeller Street, Suite R

The OAC invites you to bring new or gently used art supplies to swap or donate. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow creatives and potentially find new cool mediums to try out.

Donated art supplies benefit the Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services Center. This event is free to attend.

What can you bring:

• New or gently used art supplies of all different mediums

What can't you bring:

• Paint thinner or any harsh painting/printing chemicals

Parent Empowerment Seminar: Supporting a Child with ADHD

Scan the QR Code to Register or Click Here

Here's what you'll take away from this seminar:

• Understanding ADHD and the developing brain
• Emotional regulation & behavior patterns
• ADHD across childhood through adolescence
• Girls and ADHD
• ACT-based parenting tools
• Personalized action planning

Seating is limited, so please register today! If you have any questions about the seminar, accessibility needs, or registration details, please contact Samaritan at 920.886.9319.

In Trump’s world, New Mexico female faith leaders aim to be political, not partisan

The Rev. Madeline Hart-Andersen is among those featured in a newspaper article along with the church she serves, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico

February 18, 2026 | Lily Anderson, The (Santa Fe) New Mexican| Presbyterian News Service

Every church the Rev. Madeline Hart-Andersen grew up in was deeply focused on social justice.

In San Francisco, her church's ministry sat with gay men who were dying of AIDS. In Minneapolis, her church was involved in the push for affordable housing, and she recalls her pastor repeatedly saying "the church is meant to be political — not partisan, but political."

"We are meant to be involved in the life of the community and the life of the city, the life of the country," Hart-Andersen said. "We're not meant to be partisan, as in we're not supposed to support one party over another, but we are meant to support the community. And supporting the community, by necessity, means at the very least being aware of what is going on politically."

As the U.S. becomes increasingly polarized, religious Americans are also seeing those fault lines in their faith communities. In the Christian world, for instance, some — particularly in Evangelical or conservative Roman Catholic circles — have whole-heartedly embraced President Donald Trump, welcomed the advent of a powerful right-wing majority on the U.S. Supreme Court and generally walked, talked and voted in lockstep with today’s Republican Party.

Many progressive Christians, meanwhile, have watched those same developments with concern and, in some cases, horror and condemnation.

Today, Hart-Andersen is the pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Santa Fe. She is one of several progressive female faith leaders in New Mexico who agree congregations should be engaged in politics — but who at the same time hold concerns about the inverse in a country they see as increasingly blurring the line between church and state. Read more.

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.

Accessibility at First Pres

There is an elevator available for access to all levels of the First Pres church building, and the spaces are navigable by wheelchair.