Blessing of the Backpacks (and bags, and briefcases, and...) | | | |
Blessing of the Backpacks
Fall is in the air, kids and teachers are heading back to school and we will soon see leaves turning color.
We begin the program year at church with a special “blessing of the backpacks” in our worship service.
This is meant for ALL ages: for preschoolers and parents with diaper bags, for school-aged children and their teachers, for high school and college students, and for anyone who carries a backpack or briefcase or tote bag to work or the gym or anywhere else!
Mark your calendar for Sunday, September 13 at the 10:00 a.m. worship service and bring your backpack for a blessing.
A special clip-on tag will be provided for each bag to commemorate the occasion—don’t miss it!
| | | Changes For Sunday School | |
Changes for Sunday School
Our congregation is committed to a strong ministry of faith formation and Christian education for all ages. But we have struggled in recent years to maintain a regular Sunday School program on a weekly basis.
After much thought and prayer, the Christian Education committee has decided to try something new: a monthly Sunday School opportunity for children from 5 to 12 years old.
Our hope is that families will mark their calendars and make a special effort to attend every third Sunday of the month when we will plan for a full 10 to 11 am experience of faith, fun, and fellowship for kids.
And rather than using a standard curriculum for this experience, each month will feature a special topic in church life and learning that will allow for a deeper dive than our former 40-minute class.
Examples include topics like Communion, Baptism, Worship, Bible Skills, and Seasons of the Church Year like Advent, Lent, etc.
Our first session will be on Sunday, September 20.
Please make an effort to attend that day and see what the changes will bring!
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New Adult Bible Study
The summer adult bible study has seen us through lots of Old Testament stories many of us had never heard before, so as the season changes we are ready for a new study! Join us for a six-week study of Paul’s letter to the Philippians beginning on September 23/24.
Our groups meet on Wednesday nights at 5:30 pm via Zoom or Thursday mornings at 10:30 am in person.
And you can switch back and forth as needed, since each group considers the same chapter each week. Books are available in the office for $10 each.
Is this the time for you to renew your study of God’s word?
Come see!
| | | Leah Mott Retirement Recognition | |
Leah Mott Retirement
It’s a big deal to retire after 20 years in the same job! Leah Mott has been the Administrative Assistant in the church office for all that time, lasting through several pastors, other staff, and plenty of changes in our church. Through it all she has served faithfully and well, and now she needs to rest and recover from recent health struggles at home.
It will be a well-deserved retirement!
She actually finished her time in the office on August 27. Personnel Committee is staffing the office for the month of September with church member volunteers—call Pastor Katie if you’d be willing to help out.
But never fear, we have some plans to recognize and celebrate Leah!
A special recognition and presentation of a gift will happen in the worship service on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 10:00am.
If you’d like to contribute to a gift for her, please mark your check “Leah’s gift” in the memo line, place cash in an envelope and clearly indicate it is for this purpose, or use the online giving portal and choose the appropriate tile.
Following worship on October 4, everyone is invited to a light luncheon downstairs in Banner Hall to celebrate one who has lightened our load around here for many years. We will be serving finger sandwiches, salads, chips, and a special cake.
Mark your calendar and plan to be with us to say thank you and God bless you to Leah.
| | | Help Us Reach You: Please Update Your Contact Information | |
Update Contact Information
At First Presbyterian Church, we want to make sure you never miss important news, event invitations, or pastoral care outreach. But we can only do that if we have your most current contact information on file.
Over time, phone numbers change, families move, and email addresses get updated, but our records don't always keep up. When we mail a newsletter to an old address or try to call a disconnected number, it costs the church time, postage, and resources that could be better spent serving our congregation and community.
That's where you can help. Please take a moment to confirm or update the following information with our church office:
- Mailing address
- Phone number(s)
- Email address
You can update your information by calling the church office at (920) 437-8121 or by emailing office@firstpresgreenbay.org directly.
Keeping your information current ensures you'll receive timely updates about church events, prayer requests, and important announcements, while also helping us be good stewards of the resources you've generously given.
Thank you for helping us stay connected with you and your family.
If you have any questions or need assistance updating your information, please don't hesitate to reach out to the church office.
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Community Generosity in Action:
August Fundraising Recap
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August Fundraising Recap
This past month, our congregation once again showed what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community. Through three special outreach efforts, First Presbyterian Church members and friends came together to bless others in tangible, meaningful ways.
Brats & Blessings at Festival Foods
Our Brats & Blessings grilling event at Festival Foods was a sizzling success, raising $500 for our Pastor's Discretionary Fund. This fund allows our pastoral staff to respond quickly and compassionately to members and neighbors facing unexpected hardships.
Thank you to everyone who grilled, served, greeted shoppers, and, of course, ate a few brats for a good cause!
Fox Cities Tornado Relief
Following the devastating tornado that struck the Fox Cities on July 27th, our church family responded with extraordinary compassion, raising $1,995 to support relief and recovery efforts for those affected. Your generosity is helping families rebuild homes, replace essentials, and find hope in the aftermath of disaster.
Back to School Supplies Drive
Our congregation's generosity didn't stop at fundraising. Through our August Back to School Supplies Drive, we collected enough notebooks, pencils, backpacks, and other essentials to fill about four shopping carts, all headed to students at Lincoln Elementary School. Thanks to your donations, kids will start the school year with the tools they need to succeed.
A Heartfelt Thank You
None of this would be possible without you. Whether you donated money, gave up a Sunday morning to grill brats, organized supplies, or simply spread the word, you embodied the love and generosity that define our congregation.
Together, we raised nearly $2,500 this month alone, but more importantly, we showed our community that First Presbyterian Church shows up when it matters most.
Thank you for your open hearts, your willingness to serve, and your continued partnership in this ministry. We look forward to seeing what God will do through us next.
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Effects of Location on Justice:
EEPN Conference 2026
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EEPN Conference 2026
Where we live shapes nearly everything—our access to clean air and water, healthy food, quality health care, reliable transportation, and good jobs. This fall, the Eastern Europe Partnership Network (EEPN) invites congregation members to explore this reality firsthand through its annual conference, themed "Effects of Location on Justice.”
What the Conference Offers
EEPN is hosting a four-part series of one-hour, interactive online classes designed to help participants "connect the dots" between local, national, and international issues of spatial and environmental justice. The sessions dig into how structural forces separate people from society, the language used to describe those divides, and how these dynamics play out both abroad and within the United States.
Topics Covered across the Series:
- Environmental justice and its real-world impacts on communities
- Spatial justice and how geography influences opportunity
- How identity and community intersect with injustice
- International and domestic case studies of these issues in action
Meet the Facilitators
The series is led by a team with deep experience in mission work, education, and justice ministry, including Ellen Smith, a retired PC(USA) mission co-worker to Eastern Europe; Dr. Margaret Smith, a Research Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities at Southern Illinois University; Rev. Hank Bellomy, Head Pastor at Beulaville Presbyterian Church in North Carolina; and Jean Waters, a retired pollution prevention engineer and EEPN's communications lead.
Dates, Details, and an Optional Border Trip
Zoom Class Schedule
- August 25, 2026 – 8:00pm
- September 15, 2026 – 8:00pm
- October 27, 2026 – 8:00pm
- November 17, 2026 - 8:00pm
Optional Border Trip
For those wanting a deeper, hands-on experience, EEPN is also offering an optional in-person visit October 8–12, 2026, to Frontera de Cristo, a Presbyterian border ministry in Agua Prieta, Sonora, where participants can engage directly with people on the border and issues of migration and spatial justice; space is limited and registration closes September 1.
How to Get Involved
Whether you can commit to just one Zoom session or want to join the full experience with the border visit, this is a meaningful opportunity to grow in understanding and put faith into action. Registration is quick and easy through the official sign-up form, and organizers will follow up with additional details once you register.
Ready to sign up?
Click the register button below to sign up for the online sessions — spots are limited, so don't wait.
For More Information About EEPN and how to get involved click the "More Information About EEPN" button and you'll be redirected to PC(USA)'s website.
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Generosity in Action
By: Nancy Siewert
In this month’s Generosity in Action, we’re taking a closer look at two additional categories from our Acts of Generosity campaign: generosity provided through donations and acts of generosity maintaining the church building & grounds.
Each act, whether seen or unseen, reflects a shared commitment to caring for one another and supporting the work God is doing in and through our church. As we continue highlighting these stories, we hope they serve as a meaningful reminder of the many ways generosity is already at work among us.
Acts of Generosity - Donations
- Donated to school fall fest fundraising events
- We donate monthly to provide medical supplies to disaster areas M.A.P.
- Supported neighbor with snow removal
- Made a meal for a friend who had surgery
- Doing laundry for someone who needs a little help
- Buying a meal for someone
- Phoning my friend that is recently widowed
- Helped friend clean her house
- Helping friends, family and neighbors with tasks they need assistance with and being available to them without asking for anything in return or looking for recognition or acknowledgement
- Share baked good with family and friends
- Covering a co-workers shift who went to see a relative (who passed away)
- Helped my neighbor with food
- Prepared a meal train for a friend who is sick
- Cooked and visited friend who had surgery
- Helping a neighbor with Alzheimer’s disease
- Invited a friend for dinner
- Giving hope to dear friend who needs it
- Helped my neighbor accept that she has been forgiven for something she couldn’t control
- Big Brother to Ethan
- Every day I walk I pick up garbage on the roads in my neighborhood
- Shoveled my neighbor’s walk and driveway
Acts of Generosity – Maintaining the Church Building & Grounds
- Coordinated painting of Sanctuary
- Support for the 150th -financial and volunteer
- Provide music for special moments
- Serve on 150th celebration committee
- I help maintain the church building and grounds
- Provided cider and cookies for Esther Circle in gratitude for their participation
- Donated to Cozy Kid Campaign
- Volunteered for church
- Helped Leah in church office
- Provided special music for worship
- Covered the tree with snow
More to come!
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Kicking Off A New Season of
Gather with the Griffon
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A New Season of Gather with the Griffon
We are excited to welcome back our friends the Griffon String Quartet with some changes in players but the same gorgeous chamber music for our noontime enjoyment!
The first of our monthly “Gather with the Griffon” concerts will be on Thursday, September 17 at 12 noon in the Sanctuary.
These free 45-minute concerts are designed for anyone who could use a musical interlude in their life on the third Thursday of the month.
Join us this month and watch the bulleting board for a poster of all their upcoming dates.
| | | Church Chix to Dine at Mackinaws - Thursday September 3, 2026 | | | | |
Mackinaws Grill & Spirits
2925 Voyager Dr.
Green Bay, WI 54311
The Church Chix will dine at Mackinaws on Thursday September 3, 2026, at 6:00pm.
Mackinaws Grill & Spirits in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is famous for its immersive Northwood's cabin atmosphere, massive pine log construction, and stone fireplaces. It features an enclosed log-cabin bar, eclectic American comfort food, select bourbons, and a popular Sunday brunch buffet.
**Open to women of all ages, friends also welcome.**
| | | Please Send Us Your Photos | | | | |
We love seeing our church community thrive through photos! If you've snapped any pictures during worship services, church events, or fundraisers, please consider sharing them with us. Your photos help us capture the spirit of our congregation and preserve cherished memories.
Please email your favorite shots to info@firstpresgreenbay.org. Thank you for helping us tell our story!
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Carole Biddick
Nancy Siewert
Linda Michael
Benjamin McCormick
Patty Kabacinski
Connie Early
Lyla McCormick
Kristine Melton
David Anderson
Kevin Kabacinski
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Tammy Shober
Wesley Michael
Hannah Bauer
Jon Tessier
Jessica Kabacinski
Wyatt Stenson
Mary Jane McCrory
Brandt Schoffelman
Sara Bostedt
Duber Jr. Aceituno
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