First Congregational Church

300 S. Minnesota Ave. | Sioux Falls, SD 57104

(605) 336-3072 | fcc@firstcongucc.com

Thinking Faith. Unbounded Welcome. Creative Worship. Generous Service.

Good News — April 15, 2021

A Note from Pastor Ryan Otto

My Sincere Gratitude

Last Sunday held layer upon layer of emotions as I prepared to lead and worship with you for the last time as your Pastor.  I pray the worship, celebration, and parting prayers honored the evolving relationship we have shared for so many years together.

I was truly overwhelmed with gratitude by the heartfelt words of sending from Katie Thompson, Mary Kay Fausch, and Cara Soper, and by the gift of a beautiful Martin acoustic guitar.  For those guitar geeks out there, it is a Martin D-18, a guitar I have long admired and considered as a hoped-for possibility “one day.”

What a generous and personal parting gift!  Thank you to all who contributed toward the gift and made it possible.  It is more than I could have imagined.

Thank you to all of you who ventured out and showed up.  I am grateful that we were able to be outside on a beautiful day to see one another and express goodbyes.  I also understand it was not possible for many to be together in such a way, and I am grateful for your messages, cards, and good wishes.

Since my family and I are staying in Sioux Falls, many have wondered if I will be seeing you again soon.  I will be following ministry guidelines for departure since we have now released one another from the covenant of pastor and congregation.  This includes a parting from the relationships we have known.  I will not be joining in worship with you, and my visibility on social media will change.  I will no longer be available for pastoral calls.  Still, if I see you in the grocery store, I will refrain from running the other way!  You have been gifted with an incredible staff.  Martell, Becky, Spencer, and Lisa will lead you with wisdom and grace into what comes next.

Thank you for honoring the end of this ministry with me.  By doing so, we can create space for one another to grow into God’s future apart from one another.

Peace,

Rev. Ryan Otto

“Above all, trust in the slow work of God…Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be.”

       - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

From the Church Council

OPENING THE CHURCH: The church is open for regular services at 8:30 & 10:30 am. Social distancing and mask wearing protocol is required by all in attendance. There will also be an online stream of worship at 10:30 am. Sunday School will remain online, and Fellowship time between services will not resume. In this reopening process we realize this is still a time of concern for many. The safety of the congregation is of the utmost importance. However you choose to participate in the life of the church whether it be online or in person, this reopening process is only meant to add another layer of possibilities.

THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL MEETING: The Annual Financial and Program meetings will be held together on Sunday, April 25, 2021 after the second service in the second sanctuary.

Announcements & Coming Events

Circle Bible Study

Circle Bible Study will be gathering safely (wearing masks and social distancing) Thursday, April 22nd, at 9:30 AM in Jones Hall. We will be sharing our favorite devotions from the March/April Upper Room publication. All are welcome!

Senior High & Mid-High Activities

We are offering in-person activities for Senior High!

• Sunday, April 18th from 6:00-8:00pm at the Pagone House (2909 S 4th Ave) for “Firepit with my Peeps!”  We will toast peeps over the fire and make smores, play games in the backyard, and simply hang out!

• Saturday, May 1st from 4:00-6:00pm we will meet at Thunder Road for fun with the outdoor activities!  Church will cover the cost.  More details to come.

We are offering in-person activities for Mid-High too!

• Sunday, April 18th from 4:30-6:30pm at the Pagone house (2909 S 4th Ave) for “Firepit with my Peeps!” We will toast peeps over the fire and make smores, play games in the backyard, and simply hang out!

• Saturday, May 1st from 2:00-4:00pm we will meet at Thunder Road for fun with the outdoor activities!  Church will cover the cost.  More details to come.

Joint Senior High & Mid-High Event 

• We are hoping to go to Valley Fair in June.  The church will rent a charter bus to go up and come back the same day.  Please let me know if you would be comfortable with your kids going on this day trip.

Mother’s Day Mission Project

Our church will be providing mothers and infants of the Rosebud Reservation with much needed diapers through Sicangu Child & Family Services in Mission, SD. Collection bins and monetary contribution envelopes will be located in Fick Hall for your convenience through May 9th, Mother’s Day.

Thank you for reaching out to those in need!

The Sicangu Mission Committee

Musical Ensembles

The FCC Chancel Choir and Bell Choir are now having regular rehearsals. Chancel Choir is on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 pm and Bell Choir is on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30. All are welcome and no auditions are required! 

Contact Spencer Smith at ssmith@firstcongucc.com for more info.

Financial Education

One of the roles of the Stewardship Team is year-long education. As one way of doing this, the team is offering an opportunity for personal financial education. The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection has developed an excellent series of booklets. The titles include “Behind on bills?”, “Debt getting in your way?”, and “Want credit to work for you?”. We are offering assistance in obtaining these resources and guiding families in using them. We can develop a way of doing this which is individualized and confidential. If you are interested, you can contact Norman Bliss for more information at (605) 254-3933. While the main focus of the Stewardship Team is helping achieve financial stability for the church as a whole, we recognize that this begins with financial stability for individuals.

Church Nursery

The church nursery will be open starting on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. If anyone would like to volunteer to help, please contact Becky at bpagone@firstcongucc.com

Greetings from Placerville Camp!

We are excited to send out this email to let you know that we will be opening up for summer programming!  YAY!!  Obviously with COVID still in full swing, as of right now, there will be some changes from the norm and we hope that by the time summer reaches us, we can change our course of action.  First off, all campers and staff will be wearing masks while indoors, except while sleeping.  Second, we will be restricting the number of campers that can attend.  Youth camps will have a limit of 30 campers so that we can keep a ratio of 1 counselor to 5 campers.  Women’s Camp will also have a limit of 30 participants.  Third, registration will be on-line only, so a camp brochure will not be mailed out.  On-line registration will allow us to keep track of the numbers as registrations are made in real time.  We can keep track of numbers better this way.  This can be done at placervillecamp.net.  On-line registration also allows us to notify campers as guidelines change where we might have the need to adjust our protocols. ~Placerville Camp    

FCC will support youth participates with covering the cost of transportation ($90) and 50% of the camp cost.  If you are planning to use conference scholarships or support from FCC, please contact Becky Pagone via email at bpagone@firstcongucc.com for more information about the registration process.

Online Parenting Group

Join parenting group on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. If you have any questions contact Becky Pagone at bpagone@firstcongucc.com

Online Keeping the Faith Bible Study

Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

Remember in Prayer

Family & Friends of Nelda Vellek | Family & Friends of Bob Oberembt | Family & Friends of Mark Winter | Family & Friends of Walter Seiler | Sara Wiederrich Vrana | Allan Fisher | Glenn Schoppert | Joyce Burhenn, friend of Marge Anderson | Barbara Chamness | Margaret Neal, sister-in-law of Joyce Anderson | Kyle Engel, father of Maren Engel | June Weber, sister of Mary Scheel | Jane Bell | Tam Baker | Nathan Foote & Family | Melissa Olivier | Judy Roddel | Phyllis Bitterman | Robert Pfeifer | Allen Wienk | Bob Schenk, friend of Marge Anderson

Meet the Staff

Rev. Dr. M.G. Martell Spagnolo, Senior Pastor

Rev. Ryan Otto, Pastor

Rev. Kathryn J. Timpany, Pastor Emerita

Spencer Smith, Director of Music and Arts Ministry

Becky Pagone, Christian Education Director

Lisa Hastings, Finance Administrator 

Paul Vincent, Custodian