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"Our mission is to be a caring community of God's people
who live by Christ's teachings,
reach out to others to share the love of God,
and celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ
through worship, prayer, thought, and action."
September 25, 2020
An Update on the Session's reflections:
Good morning, everyone!
I hope this sunny day finds you joyous and free, if hunkered and protected.
The Session of our church met on Monday, and reviewed the circumstances of our life together. It seems that the virus numbers, if anything, are getting worse in our region. It seems the better part of wisdom is to continue worshipping virtually until our November Session meeting, when we will revisit the issue.
This also assures us that our worship leader for October and November, the Rev. Clara Thompson, will know what to expect. I hope you will join us for her leadership time.
We are also beginning the process of thinking about our return to in-person worship. Specifically, we are seeking help crafting worship that will allow some to show up in person, some to zoom, and perhaps even allowing our worship leaders to preach to us virtually while we are in the building. We are receiving some assistance from the presbytery on this.
Questions? Feel free to shoot me an email or give me a call.
Peace, David
Pastoral Care
David Butler
Worship Leader
Clara Thompson -- October-November
Bill Dow -- December-January
Julie Waterdu/Paul Francis -- February-March
Thank you for visiting our website!
A Journey of Discernment
We spent about 16 months during 2018-2019 searching for a new pastor. Our process led us to the realization that we needed a new model of ministry for our church.
As we pondered this, we identified two essential elements: worship, and taking care of our members and others. We decided to explore a model that has these as two separate roles. We would search for someone to assume pastoral care responsibilities, and others to lead us in worship. We have found ministers to fill both of these roles.
Pastoral Care -- David Butler assumed this role on July 15, 2019. His responsibilities are as follows:
- Provide pastoral care to the congregation.
- Accompany a member of the Board of Deacons to deliver communion to home-bound.
- Moderate session meetings.
- Attend committee meetings at First Presbyterian Church as needed.
- Meet with potential new members.
- Attend meetings of John Knox Presbytery.
- Officiate at the sacrament of baptism or assign this to the worship leader.
- Officiate at funerals (pastor's prerogative, as requested)
- Moderate the annual congregational meeting.
The Worship Leader's responsibilities are as follows:
- Prepare the worship bulletin in final form and mail it to the church secretary.
- Preach and lead Sunday worship and any other services within his/her contracted time.
- Officiate at Holy Communion within the worship service.
- Moderate congregational meetings held in the context of worship.
- Attend Worship and Music Committee meetings as needed.
- Receive new members during the worship service.
- May officiate at baptism at the direction of the pastor.
Clara Thompson, our Worship Leader for Oct.-Nov. Welcome, welcome!
I was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and educated in Denver, Colorado (University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology - a Methodist seminary, though I've always been Presbyterian). I then spent a year in northern California before happily landing in Oregon, Wisconsin, where I was blessed to serve as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church for 30 years. I retired in 2009 and, since retirement, have served in the John Knox Presbytery in various capacities. I was called out of retirement and was delighted to serve as a half-time Parish Associate at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison, WI from September of 2015 until December of 2019 ... when I retired for the 2nd time!
I am happily married to Paul D. Thompson (Ruling Elder, PC(USA), currently serving on the Session of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Madison). We have five children and seven grandchildren with whom we enjoy spending as much time as possible... when there's not a pandemic keeping us apart. My hobbies in retirement include knitting, quilting, and climbing mountains. I also enjoy hiking, boating, gardening, swimming, and just about anything out of doors. I love to spend my summers in northern Michigan and my favorite ice cream is Mackinac Island Fudge, preferably eaten in a waffle cone on Drummond Island, Michigan.
It is with joy that I look forward to worshiping with you at FPC-Pardeeville in October and November. Together may we listen for and hear God's Word and respond in faithful service as we live into the discipleship to which Christ calls us!
Lay Liturgist List
Nov. 22 -- Jean Porter
Nov. 29 -- Audrey Holt-Grosnick
How/where can I make my donations to the church?
It's simple. Just mail it to either the church (105 S. Main St., Pardeeville, WI 53954 or PO Box 660, Pardeeville, WI 53949) or to Judy Skaar. Thanks to all for your continuing support. Peace to you.
"Coffee Hour"
In the comfort of your own home! We will have the opportunity to spend a little time after worship catching up on how everyone's doing. So grab a cup and stick around. It's nice to see folks' faces.
Vanessa's hours
To be determined. Please call the church office for an update.
