2018 Winter Holiday Events at First Church!
Sunday, Nov. 25
Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
The Social Justice Council presents the 13th Annual Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, with proceeds benefiting Walnut Way. We will feature items from Four Corners of the World (5708 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee), a Fair Trade gift shop on the west side of Milwaukee. Think about the dollars you spend for holiday gifts. Where do those dollars end up? Rather than boosting the bottom lines of large corporations, the Fair Trade movement focuses on making sure workers around the world get a reasonable living wage for their work.
Volunteers are needed on that Sunday, November 25, to help with setting up, cashiering, and cleaning up after the bazaar. To sign up, email Nick DaVia, or call him at 414-732-4601.
The Giving Tree
Also on November 25, the Giving Tree will kick off! This year we are partnering with United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties. United Way will connect us to an organization that serves people in need of donations for holiday gifts.
The organization in need gives us tags with gift wishes on them. We hang those tags on our Giving Tree, found at the RE Table during Coffee Hour. You choose a tag, purchase the gift, and bring the gift back to the RE Table. We make sure the gifts get delivered to the organization! Grab a tag and help spread some holiday cheer.
Mitten Tree
This year, The Mitten Tree will donate outerwear to two different worthy organizations that help folks in our community in need of warm clothes to get through the Milwaukee winter. We are currently collecting donations of coats, hats, scarves, socks, gloves, and yes, mittens!
The collection box is found at the RE Table during Coffee Hour. Thanks for your generosity!
Tuesday, Dec. 4
Deck the Halls
To help get in the holiday spirit, join us Tuesday, December 4, 5:00–8:00 p.m., for great fun working together to decorate our Sanctuary. We’ll hang green garlands, red bows, and white lights, and set up the large Christmas tree. Note: we need some folks who can climb ladders and are interested in learning to make bows. We also need a few folks with strong backs to lift the tree over the pulpit rail and onto its stand. Email Tom Schroeder or call him at church, 414-273- 5257, ext. 206, to let us know if you’d like to help out and share in some holiday cheer. It’s going to be great fun!
Wednesday, December 12
Blue Christmas Vespers
7:00 p.m. Service
Christmas is not always merry, but it can always be holy. Come in out of the cold and dark, come to the gentle presence of music and candlelight, readings and silence. We offer solace tonight for those who are caring for ailing loved ones, have lost someone dear and for anyone who is feeling out of sync with the forced happiness of the holidays. With Rev. Dena McPhetres and Alissa Rhode, Lead Music Director.
Sunday, December 23
Holiday Pageant
Two Services at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Multigenerational Holiday Pageant
This holiday season embraces commemorations from many different cultures. This Sunday we honor our differences with festive reminders of Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. Let us delight in joy and learning together as an intergenerational congregation. With Religious Education Coordinator Cami Thomas, Rev. Dena McPhetres, Choral Director Tristan Strelitzer, and Resident Artist Jack Forbes Wilson.
Monday, December 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
3:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a simple, traditional, beautiful multigenerational Christmas Eve service of carols, candlelight, and stories. The whole family is welcome in all services, and childcare will be also available during the first two services.
With The Rev. Jennifer Nordstrom, The Rev. Dena McPhetres, Religious Education Coordinator Cami Thomas, and Alissa Rode, Lead Music Director (3:30 & 5:00); and the Chancel Choir with Tristan Strelitzer, Choral Director, and Jack Forbes Wilson, Resident Artist (6:30).
Note: we’ve secured the Lincoln School parking lot for our Christmas Eve services! This parking lot is conveniently located just one block west of the church, south of the school building. Entrance is on Marshall Street. There is space for at least 60 vehicles.