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 - August 11, 2022

Church Update

Council has approved the hiring of Becky David, a consultant that will begin our transition time without a pastor.  This consultant will help us work through conflict, help us discover who we are as a congregation and as a church explore how to live that out. She will spend time with us during retreat weekends, on zoom meetings, and in small group work.  This work will not include weekly preaching or pastoral care.  We will have pulpit supply each Sunday and coordinate pastoral care when needed.  You will have more information about how our congregation will support this transition in next week’s newsletter.  Here is more information about Becky David.

For Those Who Love Credentials:

• Certified Professional Co-Active Coach

  (the Coaches Training Institute)

•  Professional Certified Coach - PCC

   (International Coach Federation)

• Accredited iEQ9 Integrative Enneagram Practitioner

   (Integrative Enneagram Solutions)

• Certified Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Facilitator

  (Center for Appreciative Inquiry)

• Trained Intentional Interim Minister

• MDiv, MPS

• Ordained United Church of Christ

   

   

Coaching Faith Communities

 At many points in the life of a Faith Community a situation arises which calls for reflecting together more deeply about the future. This kind of reflection is most helpful in times of pastoral transition, during lengthy pastoral tenures, and during times of great growth or steady decline within the congregation. Becky’s training as an Intentional Interim Minister plus her thirty years of professional ministry experience allow her to create a full suite of professional services to support faith communities.

Here are a few:

• A Discovery Process for faith communities who need to do interim work but do not have access to full time intentional interim Minister.

•  A Process for Vision Development and Future Planning

• Leadership Development and Training for Boards, Councils and Pastor-Parish Relations Committees

• Called to Care training for lay ministers of care

•  Lay Leadership Coaching

• Clergy Coaching

• Spiritual Direction  

At Black Pearl Coaching we don’t believe in cookie cutter solutions to your complex congregational needs. We want to hear your story, learn about your situation, and develop a response that meets your particular needs.

Learn more at Black Pearl Coaching 

Announcements and Coming Events

Coffee Hour

Thank you to the people who have been providing treats during the coffee hour for the last several months! Starting the fourth Sunday in May there will be a sign-up in Fick Hall for those who wish to bring treats. At this time the amount is between 3-4 dozen.

Responsibilities include setting out the treats by 9:15 and restocking if necessary prior to the 10:30 service. If you usually go to the 8:30 service, you may find someone to pick up the treats after the 10:30 service coffee. Thank you!

Circle Bible Study

August 18th, Circle Bible Study will meet for coffee and summer fellowship Thursday, August 18th, at 9:30 AM on the west side of McKennan Park. Bring a lawn chair and a friend. All are welcome!

Sunday, August 21st - One Worship service only- (no livestream)

Join us for the Work in Worship Day and backpack blessing on Sunday, August 21st! 

Backpack Blessing: This is one of the four “Journey Blessings” offered annually to support our relationship with God. All people can come to church with a backpack! Maybe you have a favorite backpack from when you went to school that you can bring. We would love to share in our journeys in education with one another. Build relationships by showing your support to anyone going back to school at any level this year.

Surrounded by the love and support of this faith community and God, we will bless those currently in school to strengthen them on the journey many have walked before them.

What to do: Bring your backpack to church to celebrate our individual and collective journeys continuing education.

Work in Worship Day Sunday: Put your working clothes on and whistle while you work.

Order of Worship:

• All will come to the sanctuary at 9:30am.

• We will open the service with the Backpack Blessing.

• Each person will choose from prepared service projects to do around the church.  

• All will return to the sanctuary for the closing of the service.

•  Everyone is welcome for donuts and coffee after the service.

  Bring your friends and the whole family. Let’s get ready for the Fall!

Naomi Project 5 Year Anniversary

One of our Outreach Partners, The Naomi Project, will be celebrating their fifth anniversary on Friday, August 26th at 7:00 pm at the Falls Park Open Air Shelter. Tickets are $10, which includes dinner. If you would like to purchase a ticket in advance of the event, please contact the church office at 605-336-3072.  Join in the celebration!

The Tri-Conference Joint Annual Meeting (JAM)

You are invited to join the Tri-Conference Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) 2022 in Sioux City, IA, Sunday, October 9th –Tuesday, October 11th, 2022! It’s been three years since the SD, IA and NE conferences last gathered in person.  First Congregational can send up to ten delegates. We do have some funds available to compensate for registration and hotel expenses.  Please contact the church if you are interested.  The registration deadline is September 1.  Please contact Mary Kay Fausch if you have questions (605-261-9933 or mmkfausch@sio.midco.net) .

Online Directory

You can access our church directory by clicking the button below. Use the password: FCCUCC to log in to the online directory.

Online Keeping the Faith Bible Study

Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

Remember in Prayer

Friends & Family of Steve Tenbrink, friends of Kathy Timpany | John

Chamness | Richard Zirpel, uncle of Lisa Hastings | Anita Arnold,

neighbor of Joyce Anderson | Vince Henderson, father of Lori Menke |

Missy Baatz, sister-in-law of Lisa Hastings | Bob Haushalter | Our

Church | Ema Neu & Family | Victims & Families of Uvalde, TX | Kim

Bach | Those suffering with Mental Health issues | Rena Morales |

Prisoners & those released from prison | KT Pagone | Ukraine | Crue

Crosby | Verley McNamara | Phyllis Bitterman | Justis Bartley | Quentin

Ambort | Liz Anderson | Barb Kloster | Robert Schenck, friend of Marge

Anderson

The Week Ahead

Sunday—08/14/2022

•  Worship Service—8:30 am

•  Fellowship Time—9:30 am

• Summer Singers Rehearsal – 9:30 am

• Worship Service—10:30 am

 Monday—08/15/2022

• Staff Meeting - 9:30 am

 Tuesday—08/16/2022

• Outreach Team meeting - 5:30 pm

• Inreach Team meeting - 6:00pm

• Tuesday Night Yoga - 7:00 pm

 Thursday—08/18/2022

• Circle Bible Study- 9:30 am

• Keeping the Faith Bible Study - 10:30 am

 Friday—08/19/2022

• Gentle Yoga-9:00 am

 Sunday—08/21/2022

•  Work in Worship Service & Backpack Blessing - 9:30 am

  Only one Worship Service at 9:30 am - No Livestream Service

Meet the Staff

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

Becky Pagone, Christian Education Director

Rev. Kathryn J. Timpany, Pastor Emerita

Lisa Hastings, Financial Administrator 

Cameron Sublette, Facilities Manager