Sunday, June 21, 2026 | 9:30 a.m.| First Pres Campus
Come and worship with us in the great outdoors, appreciating God’s beautiful creation. This service is aptly named as Pastor Deb continues her series on “Creation Care.” She will be highlighting “Holy Creatures: Love Our Wild Neighbors” during our outdoor gathering. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair!
Although we won't be broadcasting the outdoor service on June 21st, you can still join in worship online through our sister churches. Just click the links below.
Saturday, June 27, 2026 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | First Pres Magnolia Hall
The Community Breakfast provides not just a warm and nutritious meal, but also a wonderful chance for community members to connect, forge new friendships, and exchange uplifting words with each other.
We would greatly appreciate your assistance in spreading the word that this is the perfect spot for anyone seeking support, wishing to lend a hand, or simply wanting to join a compassionate community. Together, we’re not merely sharing a meal; we’re nurturing the foundations of our community. We look forward to seeing you at breakfast!
Many Hands Make Light Work: Magnolia Hall Cleanup!
Sunday, June 28, 2026 | Immediately Following Coffee Hour | First Pres Magnolia Hall
Help is needed for furniture breakdown and move.
Before our upcoming carpet cleaning can happen, we need to completely clear out Magnolia Hall—and we can't do it alone! We are looking for a couple handfuls of wonderful volunteers to help us break down and move the furniture immediately after coffee hour on June 28th.
If you are able to stick around for a little bit to lend a hand, it would make this entire effort go smoothly. Grab an extra cup of coffee, stay a few minutes, and help us get our space looking its best!
Don’t miss out on this scrumptious event just to spend some quality time together and enjoy a great meal! Let us know on or before Sunday, June 28, 2026, that you’ll be coming. RSVP today with this convenient link or scan the QR code!
This is a “no-host” event, and we'll be doing separate checks for this event. Please call the restaurant for the menu and pricing or visit their website.
Brown Bag Bible Exploration
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 |12:00 - 1:30 p.m. | First Pres Multipurpose Room #103
Come and be part of an amazing gathering where we will delve into the Bible together. You'll be welcomed with open arms in our friendly environment as we exchange our ideas! Don't forget to bring your Bible, your lunch, and your excitement to deepen your understanding of God’s teachings.
Worth
Mentioning
Hot Weather Policy
We want to ensure the comfort, safety, and accessibility of worship on those days when the heat is oppressive in our un-air-conditioned sanctuary; and so, the Session has adopted a hot weather policy. Here's a re-cap of the new policy so that you'll know what to expect.
When the inside temperature of the sanctuary is over 85°, Sunday morning worship service will be held in the Westminster Room (which is air-conditioned). There may be other circumstances, which at the discretion of Pastor Deb or worship leader, when worship may also be relocated to the Westminster Room.
The beauty of our worship service will continue to be enhanced by musical accompaniment using a keyboard.
Hymnals and bibles will be available in the Westminster Room pews.
A digital worship option will be provided for those at home. But the online service may have limited technical capabilities and it may be uploaded after the service rather that broadcast live.
Session Snippets
At its June meeting, the Session passed a hot weather policy (see above) and an anti-racism policy. The Session has also been working with a local architecture firm in creating several options for the future of our building. We plan to present those to the congregation in late summer or early fall, so stay tuned for more updates on our building discussion!
Volunteer Sign-Up Open
First Pres is excited to, once again, have a community organization table at Oshkosh Pride 2026 on Saturday, June 27th (12:00 – 6:00 p.m.) at the Oshkosh Arena! If you’re interested in volunteering to spend an hour or two at our table chatting with Pride attendees and handing out complimentary buttons and such, let us know by:
calling Pastor Deb
adding your name to the sign up sheet at the hospitality table by the church office
Church Office Closure
The church office will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of Independence Day.
Juneteenth
The Historical Legacy*
A Day of Recognition, Restoration, Celebration
Freedom's Eve and Watch Night Services
On “Freedom’s Eve,” or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country, awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered as all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free.
Union soldiers, many of whom were black, marched onto plantations and across cities in the south reading small copies of the Emancipation Proclamation spreading the news of freedom in Confederate States. Only through the Thirteenth Amendment did emancipation end slavery throughout the United States.
Understanding the Significance of June 19, 1865
But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later.
Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas.
Reflections on Emancipation and Reconstruction
The post-emancipation period known as Reconstruction (1865-1877) marked an era of great hope, uncertainty, and struggle for the nation as a whole. Formerly enslaved people immediately sought to reunify families, establish schools, run for political office, push radical legislation and even sue slaveholders for compensation.
Given the 200+ years of enslavement, such changes were nothing short of amazing. Not even a generation out of slavery, African Americans were inspired and empowered to transform their lives and their country.
A Celebration of Freedom
Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day. Although it has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans.
The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a community space where this spirit of hope lives on. A place where historical events like Juneteenth are shared and new stories with equal urgency are told.
*Reprinted from the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture website
Community
Connections
Oshkosh Pride 2026
Saturday, June 27, 2026 | 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Oshkosh Arena | 1212 South Main Street, Oshkosh
Join us for a vibrant celebration of love, identity, and community! And don’t forget to stop by the First Pres table to say ‘hi’.This is a free, family-friendly event full of fun! Let’s celebrate Pride loud, proud, and together! For more information, check out the Oshkosh Pride Facebook page.
National HIV Testing Day: June 27
Winnebago County Public Health | 920.232.3000
Knowing your HIV status is an act of self-love and the pathway to staying healthy through care, treatment, or prevention tools like PrEP.
Winnebago County Public Health provides HIV testing with a scheduled appointment. HIV testing is anonymous/confidential and results are ready in 20 minutes. (A $15 donation is requested, but not required.) Call today to schedule your appointment.
Purse Bingo is one of Christine Ann's most anticipated fundraisers of the year, benefiting the survivors and families it serves.
Tickets aren't on sale yet for the September 23rd event, but planning is already in full swing by the organizers. Every purse counts because it not only adds an element of fun and anticipation but also plays a crucial role in supporting vital programs that empower individuals and families affected by domestic abuse.
So, please do what you can and make a donation by August 3rd! Change a life!
Camps and Seasonal Experiences at Moon Beach
Moon Beach is a quintessential Northwoods Wisconsin retreat located on 110 wooded acres between Eagle River and St. Germain on the shores of Moon Lake and Little Saint Germain Lake. Guests are invited to experience quiet waters, scenic trails, abundant wildlife, and some of the clearest night skies in the region. Moon Beach is known for its summer family camps as well as a variety of experiences offered throughout the year. From warm-weather waterfront adventures to peaceful seasonal gatherings and opportunities for reflection, guests of all ages can find meaningful ways to connect, explore, and renew.
For more than 65 years, families, retreat groups, and campers have gathered at Moon Beach to relax, explore, and build meaningful connections. This setting offers space to rediscover a sacred connection to God, to one another, and to the natural world through shared experiences of rest, recreation, and community.
Moon Beach welcomes guests year-round for family camps, retreats, and seasonal programs. Reach out via email at moonbeach@ucci.org to learn more or start planning your stay.
To learn more about upcoming camps, retreats, and events or to register online, visit Moon Beach Events/Camps.
Winnebago Presbytery offers camp scholarships to all members - youth and adult - of Winnebago Presbytery for any Presbyterian camp, as well as Pilgrim Center or Moon Beach. Funds are limited; please get applications in soon by sending them to info@winnebagopresbytery.org. The application is available here!
