Tuesday, July 21, 2026 |12:00 - 1:30 p.m. | First Pres Multipurpose Room #103
Discover faith and friendship at our Bible gathering! Dive into scriptures, share insights, and deepen your spiritual journey in a welcoming atmosphere. Bring your Bible, lunch, and enthusiasm. We look forward to exploring God's teachings together! See you there!
Community Breakfast
Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | First Pres Magnolia Hall
Join us at the Community Breakfast where nourishment meets connection. Savor delicious meals while engaging in heartfelt conversations, building friendships, and finding a sense of belonging. In a world that often feels rushed and isolated, our gathering offers a haven of warmth and support. We can't wait to see you there!
Worth
Mentioning
Pastor Deb Time Away
Pastor Deb will be away from July 13 - 26. In the event of an emergency, please contact the church office.
Summer Worship Venue Update
Sunday Worship Services at First Pres Oshkosh were moved from the Sanctuary to the Westminster Room (#106) beginning July 12th. We will remain in the Westminster Room for the remainder of July and all of August to allow us to worship in a climate-controlled space during the summer heat.
For those who join us online, please note that we will not have a live stream during this period. Instead, worship services will be recorded and posted to Facebook, YouTube, and our website within a day or two after the worship service.
Thank you for your flexibility and understanding.
The Power of Belonging*
Belonging Matters for Everyone
Belonging Doesn't Always Require Grand Gestures
We all want to feel like we belong. Yet according to the 2025 Tri-County Community Health Report, fewer than half of adults in our region report having a strong sense of community belonging. Researchers consistently find that belonging helps protect against loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Belonging matters for everyone. No matter our age, background, identity, or life experience, we all thrive when we feel seen, supported, and connected. The good news is that belonging doesn't always require grand gestures. Often, it grows through small, intentional moments of connection.
Three Ways to Cultivate Belonging This Week
Reach Out: Think of someone you haven't connected with recently. Send a text, make a phone call, or invite them for coffee. A simple check-in can strengthen relationships and remind both of you that you're not alone.
Find Your Community: Belonging often grows when we share experiences with others. Consider attending a community event, joining a volunteer opportunity, participating in a faith community, or reconnecting with a group that brings you joy and purpose.
Let Someone Know They Matter: One of the simplest ways to create belonging is to help others feel valued. Offer encouragement, express gratitude, or acknowledge something you appreciate about a friend, coworker, family member, or neighbor. Your words may have a greater impact than you realize.
*Source: Excerpts from Samaritan "Wellness Wednesday" Newsletter, June 17, 2026
Community
Connections
12:34 Concert Series
Sunday, July 19, 2026 | Potluck at 11:30 a.m. | Concert at 12:34 p.m.
Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church | 1174 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh
Free food and free music. 12:34 is an original music concert series in Oshkosh that hosts Wisconsin musicians the 3rd Sunday of every month.
In times of division, it's all about community building. This is a space for everyone to connect over a shared meal followed by an hour of great music. This month, they welcome Wisconsin rock legend, Dana Perry.
Oshkosh Pride Presents: Summer Block Party
Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 4:00 - 10:00 p.m.
The Gibson Social Club | 537 N. Main Street, Oshkosh
You can't miss this evening of music, yard games, kids activities, food trucks, and much more! Everyone’s welcome. Come hang out, celebrate the neighborhood, and enjoy an awesome evening together!
Wild Rose Gymanfa Ganu
Welsh/English Festival of Sacred Hymns
Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 2:00 p.m.
Wild Rose Presbyterian Church | 501 Jackson Street, Wild Rose, Wisconsin
All are invited to attend the annual traditional Welsh Hymn Sing (Gymanfa Ganu) at historic Wild Rose Presbyterian Church. Sing along in 4-part harmony to beautiful hymns sung mostly in English, accompanied on a century-old reed organ. The Gymanfa Ganu will be followed by a bountiful Te Bach (refreshments and fellowship).
Please note: The church is air conditioned but not barrier-free (there are stairs).
Winnebago County Wheelchair & Scooter Wash
Saturday, August 8, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
J & R Auto Service | 629 N. Main Street, Oshkosh
Mark your calendar for this free event. Get your wheelchair/scooter washed and checked for repairs. Enjoy food, music, and door prizes!
Too Hot To Ignore: Extreme Heat Is Here
Extreme heat remains in the forecast, and it's important to be prepared. According to the American Public Health Association, heat has quietly become one of the most dangerous public health threats of our time, causing more deaths annually than any other extreme weather event.
Communities across the country are seeing longer, hotter summers, and public health agencies are urging residents to treat extreme heat with the same seriousness as any other natural hazard.
Preparation is the most powerful form of protection. Simple steps can dramatically reduce risk:
For your convenience we’ve included a printable extreme heat checklist you can share at home, at work, or in your community. It’s a quick, practical tool designed to help you stay safe when temperatures spike and to support those around you who may be more vulnerable.
Looking Back at the 227th General Assembly
The 227th General Assembly (GA227) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) took place from June 22 to July 2, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the theme "Persevering Toward Wholeness". The hybrid gathering focused heavily on institutional healing, denominational restructuring, financial stewardship, and taking bold stances on social issues.
Here are the major highlights and decisions from the assembly:
Key Actions & Decisions:
Israel-Gaza Resolution:The assembly passed a resolution declaring Israel's war in Gaza a genocide.
Confessions and Policies: The assembly declined to send a proposed confession to presbyteries and passed various initiatives related to gender, sexuality, ministry preparation, and ordination.
World Mission Restructuring: Commissioners voted overwhelmingly (369–98) to establish a seven-member commission to review the decision-making processes and actions taken by various boards and commissions that resulted in the elimination of World Mission and the termination of most mission co-worker positions.
Unified Budget Approved: The assembly passed a balanced budget for 2027 and 2028, totaling $90.5 million in 2027 and $97.9 million in 2028. Work on a new denominational funding model was extended through 2028.
Repudiation of White Christian Nationalism: Following a push to directly address societal harms, commissioners debated overtures calling for a formal repudiation of white Christian nationalism and voted overwhelmingly to formally declare White Christian nationalism and similar ideologies as a "theological error" incompatible with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Next Assembly Location: PC(USA) made history by voting to hold its 2028 General Assembly in Puerto Rico—marking the first time the denomination will hold its national gathering outside the continental United States.
Leadership & Closing
New Co-Moderators:The assembly elected the Rev. Marta Pumroy-Cordero and the Rev. Dr. Kristopher Schondelmeyer as Co-Moderators on the first ballot. They will serve for the next two years and preside over the 2028 gathering.
Closing Worship: The assembly concluded with a powerful closing service led by the Rev. Laura Mariko Cheifetz, which offered an audacious reckoning of church harms, addressed issues of institutional mistrust, and ended in a time of joyful celebration. Read more about her powerful and inspiring message.
For a deeper dive into the committee reports, full transcripts, and official video replays, you can visit the PC(USA) General Assembly website.
