Author: Judith

June
2024

Still Speaking
Newsletter of First Congregational United Church of Christ of Alpena

First Congregational United Church of Christ of Alpena

Board of Directors
Deborah Butler,
Chairperson
Sandy Jarmuzewski,
Vice-Chairperson
Nancy Wedge,
Treasurer
Beverly Bodem
Bill Dempsey
Ann Diamond
Joe Garant
Jim McNeil
Beth Petty

Dates to Remember
June 2
Worship Service
Communion
Potluck
June 9
Worship Service
June 10
Board Meeting 5:30 pm
June 16
Worship Service
Father’s Day
June 23
Worship Service
50 Year Membership Celebration
June 30
Worship Service
May 27
Memorial Day

From the Pastor’s Desk
Pastor Dick Hotchkin
Dick Hotchkin

The earthly Jesus possessed none of the usual credentials worthy of the historian’s research. Jesus was not rich; he was not learned; he belonged to no royal family; he led no army. Jesus was a carpenter’s son in a small town. Jesus became an itinerant preacher (there were many in those days); he attracted a small following (12 untutored men); and his life was snuffed out one Friday for disturbing the peace. That was all, measured by the usual canons of history.
For two thousand years, Jesus has haunted the world. Other famous people have taken their quiet places on the dusty shelves of libraries, and no longer trouble the world – Alexander, Genghis Khan, Nero, Napoleon. But not Jesus of Nazareth. Hundreds of millions of people throughout the centuries have lived and died for Jesus. And today, in this 21st century, Jesus bids to be the only candidate for the loyalty of the whole world.
The church that bears the name of Jesus is the most international movement of the day. It does not win the applause of people everywhere. The church has been, and still is, under attack. But not the Lord of the church. Pilate’s verdict, “I find no fault in him,” has been the unqualified verdict of the world ever since Jesus lived among us.
If any other part of the biblical story is to become credible at all, we will have to let the life, work, and person of Jesus be the clue. Jesus walked the earth. There are four biographies left to us: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Read them as if you had never read them before. Let Jesus become your companion as you read. Let the full force of his person strike you. It will dawn on you that if any person ever represented what someone in the fullness of humanity ought to be, Jesus is that person.

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Feed A Family
Bill Haase

Food pantry needs are: Spaghettios, Raviolios, spaghetti and meatballs, lots of kids cereal, (Rice Krispies, Captain Crunch, Honey Nut O’s, Fruity O’s, or any other kind of cereal. Thank you.

Treasurer’s Report
Denise Fusina

PLEDGE REPORT
General Fund Pledge
Received
Income and Expense Report
General Fund Income
General Fund Expense
April 2024
$ 9,250
18,067
March 2024
$20,409
20,499
Year to Date
$37,000
42,375
Year to Date
$71,102
84,609
Income and Expense Report

Laity Schedule for June

Greeters:
June 2 Sonny & Joan Chrzan
June 9 Curt & Shari Davis
June 16 Deborah Butler
June 23 Bobbi Zubi
June 30 Mary Minnick
Lay Readers:
June 2 Lori Mayer
June 9 Pat Labadie
June 16 Pat Labadie
June 23 Jim McNeil
June 30 Lori Mayer
Ushers:
June 2 Max & Vicky Lindsay
June 9 Gary & Sandy Jarmuzewski
June 16 Penny Anderson & Boris Gerber
June 23 Max & Vicky Lindsay
June 30 Nancy and Ashley Wedge
Altar Guild:
Jackie Bell
Communion:
June 2 Beth Petty
Counters:
June 9 Nancy Wedge
June 30 Tammy Veasy
Fellowship Hosts:
June 2 Bill & Dottie Haase
June 9 Bill & Dottie Haase
June 16 NEEDED
June 23 Bill & Dottie Haase
June 30 Bill & Dottie Haase
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS NEED EDFOR JULY

Page 3

We Celebrate our 50 Year Members
*Denotes longest members.

Dennis Artley
Janet Artley
Kay Beland
Richard Bloom
Alison BloomStorey
Jeannine Boyce
*Joan Chrzan
Ann Diamond
Blair Diamond
Jean Gilliland
*Dixie Julian
Herb Knowlton
1962
1962
1963
1959
1953
1955
1950
1972
1964
1956
1950
1958
Chris McCoy
Mary Minnick
Vernie Nethercut
*James Park
Carl Silver
Robert Silver
Janet Southwell
Jere Standen
Bonnie Watkins
Nancy Wedge
Rebecca Wells
David Zeller
1962
1966
1962
1950
1963
1962
1965
1957
1962
1970
1971
1966

Page 4

Recollections and memories throughout the years….

Dennis and Janet Artley moved to Alpena from Gladstone, Michigan in 1962. This move was to pursue a new career opportunity for Dennis. They joined the church the same year, which makes this the 62nd anniversary of their membership.
One of Dennis’ favorite memories is being a Sunday school teacher and learning to finger paint for the first time. What a different experience that must have been from his duties as an IRS agent! Dennis also fondly remembers early Sunday mornings, sitting at the back of the church for some quiet reflection. All three of Dennis and Janet’s children were baptized in our church along with several of their grandchildren. Dennis remembers that Reverend Barksdale had a very special way about him, so if he asked you to do something… you could not refuse. Dennis states that he is very thankful for his church family. The church is thankful to Dennis too as he has been on numerous boards, committees, and was our church treasurer for 13 years. He is still serving the church in many ways.
Both Dennis and Janet are familiar faces in front of the church singing in the choir. Janet joined the choir roughly 35 years ago. One Mother’s Day, Dennis asked Janet what she would like as a gift. She said she would like him to sing with the choir for gospel Sunday. He complied and sang for gospel Sunday, but now has been in the choir for around 25 years. What a great gift idea Janet!
Janet shares a favorite memory by stating, “After we had been attending for a while, I remember a particular Sunday that always makes me smile. Rev. Robert Barksdale was a very proper gentleman. When he was at the church, he wore a white shirt and a tie. And of course, on Sundays he wore his black Robe over this. It was a spring Sunday and it was time for the children’s sermon. Rev. Barksdale started to do this sermon. The next thing he did was to shout SPRING, SPRING, SPRING. The children were so engrossed with him, there wasn’t another sound to be heard other than Rev. Barksdale. Here was this very dignified man teaching the children how a frog welcomed spring as one of God’s creatures. I still love thinking about that day.” Janet expresses that she has always felt at home in this church. She has had the opportunity to learn from many pastors and feels a special love with her church family. Janet shares her love of our church by having served on past church councils, boards, and is an active participant in opportunities today.
Our church is truly blessed to have Janet and Dennis Artley in our congregation.

Page 5

Dates to Remember

Birthdays
Caitlin Borke 6/2
Carol Lund 6/2
Pat Garant 6/4
Ferrol Osgood 6/4
Judy Cook 6/5
Noah Modrzynski 6/5
Karen Bacon 6/7
Curt Davis 6/8
Brandon Borke 6/11
James McNeil 6/11
Terry Bell 6/15
Carl Silver 6/16
Ann Diamond 6/17
Sonny Chrzan 6/19
Lynne Stewart 6/19
Jeffrey Gerow 6/21
Levi Straley 6/22
Emeline Hanna 6/23
Olivia Lindahl 6/23
Judith Case 6/24
Jared Plume 6/25
Gavin Barden 6/29
Anniversaries
Gary & Sandy Jarmuzewski 6/1
Clarence & Sharon Rickard 6/2
Herbert & Carol Knowlton 6/12
Steve & Jill Bailey 6/14
Roger & Janice Snell 6/18
Boris & Edith Gerber 6/19
H. Robert & Judith Case 6/21
Chris & Julie McCoy 6/21
Craig Waak & Lori Mayer 6/22
Joe & Pat Garant 6/26

Homebound/Shut-in Ministry
Pastor Dick

If you are interested in having someone visit or bring you communion, please let either Pastor Dick or Gary Jarmuzewski know. With many older and homebound members, some may feel somewhat neglected and lost in the activities of our church. We would love to have you stay connected and feel a part of our church community.

Membership Declaration Cards are available on the table in the back of the sanctuary or by calling the church.

As a way to honor our 50 year members, the Worship Committee along with the assistance of Ann Gerow, Lois Gibbs, Bev Olsen and Bobbi Zubi, have surveyed the 50 year members, asking about their memories and their relationship to this congregation. The information that has been gathered will be used to tell a little story about each participant, which will be included in this summer’s Newsletters. Our hope is that you will enjoy hearing some history from our long term members.

First Congregational United Church of Christ
201 South Second Avenue
Alpena, Michigan 49707

Phone: 989-356-1795
Web Site: http://uccalpena.org
Email: officeuccalp@gmail.com
Office Hours: 9:00 AM— 1:00 PM Monday — Thursday

Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM
In Person and Online
Transition Minister:
Reverend Dr. Richard E. Hotchkin
Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Dr. H. Robert Case
Organist/Choir Director: Kat Tomaszewski
Treasurer: Denise Fusina
Office Administrator: Nancy Ross
Custodian: Mike LaMarre

Still Speaking
Newsletter of First Congregational United Church of Christ of Alpena