journeying in faith
Dear Congregation,
As your pastor, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we are on together and the profound impact your generosity has made in our community. Our new mission statement, “journeying in faith, sharing God’s unconditional love,” serves as a guiding light for our collective efforts. It reminds us that as we walk this path together, we are called to embody love and service in all that we do.
Our vision is ambitious, and it is built on four foundational ideas:
1. Be a growing faith community.
2. Listen to and learn from our Still Speaking God.
3. Transform our lives, our congregation, and our community.
4. Be the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing love, grace, justice, and peace for all of God's creations.
Thanks to your pledges and contributions, we have made remarkable strides in fulfilling this vision already. Your generous support has been instrumental in the rebuilding and restoration of our historic and beloved sanctuary, ensuring that it remains a welcoming space for future generations. Moreover, your contributions have enabled us to reach out to our community through vital initiatives such as the hygiene pantry, the kitchen cupboard ministry, faith formation and confirmation programming.
Your support has also provided 150 hams for Thanksgiving food bags in the Western Dubuque region; 70 mattresses, 150 coats and 7500 meals for food bank; over 600 binders for St Mark’s Youth Enrichment Apples-Back-to-School drive, financial and meal donations to Dubuque Rescue Mission; financial donations to local food pantries in the region, Homeless Shelter supplies for two area shelters; and contributions to OCWM. Additionally, your significant financial support for the Pride Picnic this year showcased our commitment to inclusivity and love for all.
As we look to the coming years, I envision a future where your continued contributions will not only support the ongoing restoration of our sanctuary, but also inspire new mission projects that embody our call to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We aim to grow in numbers and enrich our faith formation and music programs, creating even more opportunities for connection and service.
As we come into this season of Stewardship, I encourage you to prayerfully reflect on how all of your past financial help has contributed to this congregation, and to consider where your continued support will lead us in the future. Your support can mean different things at different times in the life of this congregation and truly makes a difference not only for our church community but also our wider community.
If circumstances in your life change and you find it challenging to maintain your current pledge, please know that we are here to support you. Flexibility and understanding are at the heart of our community, and we want to ensure that everyone can participate in our shared journey.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment and the love you show through your generosity. Together, we are making a difference, and I am so grateful to be on this journey with each of you.
In faith and gratitude,
Rev. Kaity
As your pastor, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we are on together and the profound impact your generosity has made in our community. Our new mission statement, “journeying in faith, sharing God’s unconditional love,” serves as a guiding light for our collective efforts. It reminds us that as we walk this path together, we are called to embody love and service in all that we do.
Our vision is ambitious, and it is built on four foundational ideas:
1. Be a growing faith community.
2. Listen to and learn from our Still Speaking God.
3. Transform our lives, our congregation, and our community.
4. Be the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing love, grace, justice, and peace for all of God's creations.
Thanks to your pledges and contributions, we have made remarkable strides in fulfilling this vision already. Your generous support has been instrumental in the rebuilding and restoration of our historic and beloved sanctuary, ensuring that it remains a welcoming space for future generations. Moreover, your contributions have enabled us to reach out to our community through vital initiatives such as the hygiene pantry, the kitchen cupboard ministry, faith formation and confirmation programming.
Your support has also provided 150 hams for Thanksgiving food bags in the Western Dubuque region; 70 mattresses, 150 coats and 7500 meals for food bank; over 600 binders for St Mark’s Youth Enrichment Apples-Back-to-School drive, financial and meal donations to Dubuque Rescue Mission; financial donations to local food pantries in the region, Homeless Shelter supplies for two area shelters; and contributions to OCWM. Additionally, your significant financial support for the Pride Picnic this year showcased our commitment to inclusivity and love for all.
As we look to the coming years, I envision a future where your continued contributions will not only support the ongoing restoration of our sanctuary, but also inspire new mission projects that embody our call to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We aim to grow in numbers and enrich our faith formation and music programs, creating even more opportunities for connection and service.
As we come into this season of Stewardship, I encourage you to prayerfully reflect on how all of your past financial help has contributed to this congregation, and to consider where your continued support will lead us in the future. Your support can mean different things at different times in the life of this congregation and truly makes a difference not only for our church community but also our wider community.
If circumstances in your life change and you find it challenging to maintain your current pledge, please know that we are here to support you. Flexibility and understanding are at the heart of our community, and we want to ensure that everyone can participate in our shared journey.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment and the love you show through your generosity. Together, we are making a difference, and I am so grateful to be on this journey with each of you.
In faith and gratitude,
Rev. Kaity
from our leadership
Dear friends in Christ,
As we continue to navigate during perhaps the single most transformative season in the life of our congregation, this year’s stewardship theme is “Journeying in Faith”. In returning to our home here at 10th and Locust, we want to embrace the next chapter in the life of our congregation as a Christ-following community.
The journey of our past four years has been a precious gift from God, and this gift can’t help but change who we are on our journey in faith with Christ. We now have a wonderful opportunity to ask questions that may be less pressing to our congregation and yet are far more crucial to our very existence.
Along the way, we’ll talk a lot about love, and we’ll hear about what the people in our community love about this place. As you hear these stories—as you discern God’s call once more—trust that God’s love is always enough. And know how grateful we are for your generosity, your care, your faith, and most importantly, your love.
Our stewardship campaign concludes October 18, 2024. Below is a very detailed pledge form and a return envelope to use to return your pledges confidentially to Nikki Ketchum by this date. This is similar to what we’ve used previously regarding annual pledges; however, it also includes a pledge section specifically focused on our continued Capital Campaign efforts that you have the opportunity to supplement or pledge a new gift if you were unable to do so last year. These pledges can be spread over 12, 24, 36 months in addition to your annual pledge for 2025. If you need help or have any questions please contact Nikki at: [email protected], or by phone at 563-582-3648.
Faithfully in Christ,
Barb Pfeiler, Merle Santjer, Tami Ryan, Pastor Kaity Kemp
As we continue to navigate during perhaps the single most transformative season in the life of our congregation, this year’s stewardship theme is “Journeying in Faith”. In returning to our home here at 10th and Locust, we want to embrace the next chapter in the life of our congregation as a Christ-following community.
The journey of our past four years has been a precious gift from God, and this gift can’t help but change who we are on our journey in faith with Christ. We now have a wonderful opportunity to ask questions that may be less pressing to our congregation and yet are far more crucial to our very existence.
- What is it that we love about this place?
- How can we explore what it might look like to give joyfully, abundantly, sacrificially—not out of anxious obligation but simply out of affection and with great care.
- How can we seek God’s will for us and our lives, trusting that God’s gracious love will see us through, no matter what?
Along the way, we’ll talk a lot about love, and we’ll hear about what the people in our community love about this place. As you hear these stories—as you discern God’s call once more—trust that God’s love is always enough. And know how grateful we are for your generosity, your care, your faith, and most importantly, your love.
Our stewardship campaign concludes October 18, 2024. Below is a very detailed pledge form and a return envelope to use to return your pledges confidentially to Nikki Ketchum by this date. This is similar to what we’ve used previously regarding annual pledges; however, it also includes a pledge section specifically focused on our continued Capital Campaign efforts that you have the opportunity to supplement or pledge a new gift if you were unable to do so last year. These pledges can be spread over 12, 24, 36 months in addition to your annual pledge for 2025. If you need help or have any questions please contact Nikki at: [email protected], or by phone at 563-582-3648.
Faithfully in Christ,
Barb Pfeiler, Merle Santjer, Tami Ryan, Pastor Kaity Kemp
from our members
Dear friends in Christ,
We will never forget the first time our family came to First Congregational Church. It was in the winter of 1980 and we had just relocated to Dubuque for work and didn’t have any family or friends in the area. But, somehow even with the snow piled so high, we found our way to the church. Once inside, we were welcomed and accepted just as we were and from that moment we knew we were home and didn't have to visit any
other churches. When a tragedy hit our family, everyone in the church rallied around us
and took care of our little children so we could be at our oldest child’s hospital bedside.
To us, being a Christian means doing our part to help others needing an extra hand and being welcoming to all people that walk through our beautiful sanctuary’s doors just like we were. Over the years, we have watched our children be baptized, confirmed and grow in their faith. Our faith has allowed us to give back financially and uphold our Christian values in so many forms - serving on boards and committees, volunteering for 28 plus years at Cafe, offering rides to those unable to drive to church, grocery shopping or doctor appointments, being a listening ear, and teaching Bible Study and Sunday School. Now, over 40 years after becoming part of this family and finding our church home, we get to see our granddaughter grow in her faith, learn who her church family is, and understand what being a part of this faith community will mean to teach future generations.
~Gary & Terry Wilson
We will never forget the first time our family came to First Congregational Church. It was in the winter of 1980 and we had just relocated to Dubuque for work and didn’t have any family or friends in the area. But, somehow even with the snow piled so high, we found our way to the church. Once inside, we were welcomed and accepted just as we were and from that moment we knew we were home and didn't have to visit any
other churches. When a tragedy hit our family, everyone in the church rallied around us
and took care of our little children so we could be at our oldest child’s hospital bedside.
To us, being a Christian means doing our part to help others needing an extra hand and being welcoming to all people that walk through our beautiful sanctuary’s doors just like we were. Over the years, we have watched our children be baptized, confirmed and grow in their faith. Our faith has allowed us to give back financially and uphold our Christian values in so many forms - serving on boards and committees, volunteering for 28 plus years at Cafe, offering rides to those unable to drive to church, grocery shopping or doctor appointments, being a listening ear, and teaching Bible Study and Sunday School. Now, over 40 years after becoming part of this family and finding our church home, we get to see our granddaughter grow in her faith, learn who her church family is, and understand what being a part of this faith community will mean to teach future generations.
~Gary & Terry Wilson