FPC News & Events
(just the news, with few pics)
FPC-Petaluma Website featured on PCUSA Home Page
Each week the Presbyterian Church (USA) website (www.pcusa.org) features one of the many congregations with a website. On February 18, 2010, an image of our church and a link to this website were included on the their home page. By clicking the image, our Website home page was immediately opened in their browser.
Pastor Dave Weidlich and Grete Hansen, Children's Sunday School coordinator were notified by email that the church's website would be featured via email on 2/18/10 from Candace C. Hill, Coordinator, Educational Ministries and Robin Rueff, Associate of Promotions at the denomination headquarters in Louisville, TN. The email stated: Our staff would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ministry to the children, youth and adults in your church and community. May God richly bless your faithful witness and service.
Congratulatory emails were also recieved by Pastor Dave from people who visited the site, praising him for his Welcoming Video, filmed in his office inviting websurfers to come to our church for worship. You can see the video by clicking here.
Announcing the Church's Officers, including incoming Officers for 2010 —
Session and Deacons (12/17/2009)
Click to view officers
The Deacons, at a recent retreat, Feb. 2010.. L-R, kneeling, Ken Altenburger, Bristol, Dave Weidlich, Deborah Hosler, L-R, standing, Alice Rundle, Nan Krelle, Irene Rowley, Jim Roeters, Linda Dragoo, Phoebe Antonio, Dana Altenburger, Vivian Loh. Not pictured: Doreen Coe (behind the camera), Joanne Lubbers, Juanita Ashe.
More pictures on our News Pics Page
Donna Wall, at the Congregational Meeting, Jan. 2010
Juanita Ashe on MLK Day
Cindy Newsom at the Women's Day with Chonda Pierce
More pictures on our News Pics Page
Toni passed away, Feb. 12, 2010. She was 97!
(Obit & Guestbook)
The Choir - Christmas Sunday (click to enlarge)
New Small Group to Start
Get your New Year off to a great start by discovering your spiritual gifts and enjoying getting to know others better through a new small group.
Eight week study on the topic of spiritual gifts. Introductory meeting in the Sanctuary, Jan. 19, 7:00 PM to about 8:30 PM. We'll be using a book by C. Peter Wagner to guide the discussion, Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow. Shawn Dooley and John Richards will help facilitate the study.
There is a sign-up list in the Sanctuary on the back table, or you can let either Shawn, John, or the Church office know of your interest. Please contact John or Shawn to let them know of your interest. Blessings, John-jfjhrich[at]aol.com , Shawn here-Doolio1221[at]hotmail.com.
A Thousand Blessings
Melanie Larson challenged us (Nov. 22) to each write ten ways in which we have been blessed by the church. Our goal is to post a thousand blessings on the FPC Blog. Please email your Top Ten to Melanie.
Listen to the message, "Thankful," by Pastor Dave and Melanie here.
Read the Blessings on our FPC Blog.
The Choir, led by Kay Fish, is preparing for the
Christmas Concert, Dec. 20, 7:00 PM
New Members were received Nov. 22. From left to right, Vanna McWhinnie, Dave Weidlich, Kate Sprague, Margaret Miles Koehler, Doug Sprague, Navana Terwilliger, Nan Leavell.
Ruth Gilstrap Named as Director
First Presbyterian Church is pleased to announce that Ruth Ann Gilstrap has been named the Director of Happy Day Presbyterian School, beginning December 1, 2009. Ruth has been the school's Interim Director since June 2009 and Teacher/Coordinator since June 2008. Many thanks to those who served on the Interview Team: Pam Sommer, Donna Brumbaugh, Jeunee Craw-Molinaro, Keith Lew and Mike Glose. - Pastor Dave Weidlich
40 Days of Community
It's All About Love
It's all about love.
That's the goal of our 40 Days of Community. We're deepening our love for our church and community.
Communication techniques are important; we need good ones. Our skills for resolving conflict are well worth the investment of time we are giving. But, knowledge and skills, without the motivation of love, are worthless. Even having great faith is pointless without love. That's what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13: "If I …can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."
So, we are learning to love each other more deeply, more completely and in more meaningful ways.
I hope you are partcipating fully as we are:
- Meeting weekly for congregational worship and teaching
- Meeting weekly in a small group for discussion, implementation and community outreach project
- Prayer, reading and journaling daily.
With God's help we are making a difference - and growing closer together as a result.
Pastor Dave Weidlich
Summer Photo Contest Winners Announced
Past Events
Oct. 10 was Clean Petaluma
Last year's Spring Clean (May 3, 2008) was a huge success, with churches throughout Petaluma banding together to clean up creeks and paint fire hydrants and other projects requested by the city's Public Works Department. We're doing it again, October 10. Again, our church captain is Ryan Schmidt. Let Ryan know if you would like to participate. More HERE.
Worship on the Lawn
with Blue Grass & BBQ
Photos from Worship and Picnic HERE
FPCP 2.0
Social Networing - like a Potluck, Online
New Members are welcomed into the church, May 17, 2009
Veterans Robert Dickinson, Mike Horn and Mike McSween on the Sunday before Memorial Day.
The Women's Retreat was a great success - here are some who came, May 9.
JOBS GROUP - Weekly
If you are in the market for a job and would like some help with your search, join our Jobs Group, meeting Wednesdays at 7 PM in the Fireside Room.
Robert Dickinson and Tim Scheele are hosting the initial meeting. Robert has a number of years of experience as a recruiter and a jobs coach. They have a methodology to address the many aspects of job change from self assessments to resume and interview preparation. In addition the group will be a resource for networking to find "hidden jobs" in the North Bay.
Email for more info: Robert (eclecticproducer@att.net) or Tim (timscheele@comcast.net)
FPC FOOD SHARE PROGRAM
BENEFITIING the PETALUMA FOOD PANTRY and
THE KITCHEN FOOD BOX PROGRAM
Please join with the FPC Mission Commission to help these ongoing Community projects. Any food item that you would like to Share is welcome, however we are asking for a specific item or group of items, per month. A basket has been placed in the Narthex for you to Share your food.
The Leadership Retreat, Mar. 13-14. We started at FPC Petaluma,
Friday night and finished at FPC Napa, Saturday.
The New Nursery is now open!
Alpha continues through Mar. 31
Session: 2009 Commission and Committee assignments:
Worship & Congregational Care.............................................................. Sue Russell
Adult Christian Education....................................................................... Tim Scheele
Student Ministries (SS, Youth, HD)................................. Jim Donnelly & Keith Lew
Mission / Outreach....................................................................... Robert Dickenson
Stewardship, Budget, and Finance........................................................ Bill Linstrom
Personnel................................................................................................... Bob Reis
Facilities .......................................................................................... David Francone
Nominating Committee............................................... Jim Donnelly & Bill Linstrom
Deacons: 2009 Commission and Committee assignments:
Co Moderators: ....... Debra Hosler, Linda Fitzgerald--Debra will be "taking the lead"
Vice Moderator: .......................................................................... Dana Altenburger
Communion: .................................................. Dana Altenburger & Rita Romero
Kitchen: .................................................................................................. Doreen Coe
Social Secretary: ................................................................................ Linda Dragoo
Convalescent Hospital Worship: .............................................................. Nan Krelle
Visitation/Home Communion: ........................ Irene Rowley & Joanne Lubbers
Prayer Chain: ................................................................................. JoAnne Richards
Support Services: .................................................................................. Juanita Ashe
Transportation: ............................................................................... Ken Altenburger
Senior Support/Health: .................................................................. Linda Fitzgerald
Nominating Committee: ....................................................................... Doreen Coe
Benevolence Subcommittee .............................................................................. TBD
Treasurer: .............................................................................................. Irene Rowley
Thanksgiving Lunch - Nov. 23
More pictures from Nov. 23 are on the News Pics page
Restroom Renovation Project
Completed! - Nov. 23, 2008
Cary Weltken leads the dedication ceremony
Before (Sept. 2008)
We will miss the art in the Women's restroom
The renovation of restrooms was planned so that they are accessible for handicapped people and considerably more comfortable. In addition, a new restroom will be built for children inside the Christian Education Wing.
This $100,000 project is completely funded through the giving of church members and attendees to our “Bridge to the Future” building campaign, which began in 2007 and continues through 2009. Additional building improvements and a new building are also being planned.
More on Bridge to the Future campaign and Capital Improvement Projects
Click HERE for more pictures.
FPCP in the Butter and Eggs Parade - 2008
Some dressed the part, April 26, going back to 1882 and even our Scottish heritage. From left to right, Parker Russell (wearing the Russell tartan), Keith Lew, Ken Nugent, Cindy & Curt Newsom, Keith McFarlane (wearing the McPherson tartan) More here
Click here for more Pictures of Recent Events
Our church calendar is available online, thanks to mychurchevents.com.
