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
REBUILD-RESTORE-RENEW…paving the way to the future
What comes to mind when you think about First Congregational United Church of Christ? People from all walks of life are actively enjoying their church home? Listening to inspirational and beautiful music in worship? Hearing a sermon that gives a better understanding of what it means to be like Jesus? Reaching out in love to our neighbors in this community and around the world?
Even in a period of transition, we continue our focus on our pillars of strength -Worship, Faith Formation, Mission & Service, our Historic Church Building and Church Relations as we undergo desperately needed repairs and renovations to safely and successfully continue our Gospel work. Our faithful commitment to our church’s mission has led us to launch a Capital Fund Campaign this Fall in conjunction with our annual stewardship drive themed: REBUILD-RESTORE-RENEW -paving the way to the future.”
Enclosed is a brochure to share with you the goals of our Capital Campaign, the reasons for these goals and the details explaining how we hope to accomplish the major project of caring for our historic building. Thanks to generous pledges already received, we are blessed to have a good start (30%) towards our goal of $1,250,000.00 needed to accomplish the Rebuild/Restoration portion of the campaign.
How can all of us help? To supplement the above pledges already received, we have set a remaining goal of $881,000.00 for the Capital Campaign and $286,000.00 for the 2024 annual gift contributions that support ongoing costs such as salaries, youth and adult programs, support for our Cafe’ ministry and other essential expenditures needed for church operation.
Additionally, there is a very detailed, Pledge Form enclosed and a return envelope to use to return your pledges confidentially to Nikki Ketchum by October 23, 2023. This is similar to what we’ve used previously regarding annual pledges; however, it also includes pledges specifically focused on the Capital Campaign that can be pledged over 12, 24, 36 months in addition to your annual pledge for 2024. If you need help or have any questions please contact Nikki at: office@1stcongucc.org, or by phone at 563-582-3648.
We know that times are hard for many right now. Costs for everything have gone way up and funds are tight for so many. We are hoping that you will still consider doing what you can to enable us to be here to accompany you, your families, and current and future friends and parishioners through both our day-to-day lives, as well as life’s important milestones – Baptisms, First Communions, Weddings, Christmases, Easters, and Funerals.
Prior generations saved and sacrificed to build our beautiful Church and its surroundings for us. It’s now our turn to do the same for our children and future generations. Let us band together to give the gift of faith, worship, and community to them. Thank you for considering this request and for being as generous as you can to support these efforts. May God continue to bless you and your family and may God bless our congregation.
Your Fundraising Team,
Pastor Kaity Kemp
Carrie Keller, Board of Trustees
Travis Nelson, Moderator
Jeff Mozena, Vice Moderator
Tina Sio, Board of Trustees
Jeff Szalkowski, Board of Trustees
Merle Santjer, Chair of Trustees
Even in a period of transition, we continue our focus on our pillars of strength -Worship, Faith Formation, Mission & Service, our Historic Church Building and Church Relations as we undergo desperately needed repairs and renovations to safely and successfully continue our Gospel work. Our faithful commitment to our church’s mission has led us to launch a Capital Fund Campaign this Fall in conjunction with our annual stewardship drive themed: REBUILD-RESTORE-RENEW -paving the way to the future.”
Enclosed is a brochure to share with you the goals of our Capital Campaign, the reasons for these goals and the details explaining how we hope to accomplish the major project of caring for our historic building. Thanks to generous pledges already received, we are blessed to have a good start (30%) towards our goal of $1,250,000.00 needed to accomplish the Rebuild/Restoration portion of the campaign.
How can all of us help? To supplement the above pledges already received, we have set a remaining goal of $881,000.00 for the Capital Campaign and $286,000.00 for the 2024 annual gift contributions that support ongoing costs such as salaries, youth and adult programs, support for our Cafe’ ministry and other essential expenditures needed for church operation.
Additionally, there is a very detailed, Pledge Form enclosed and a return envelope to use to return your pledges confidentially to Nikki Ketchum by October 23, 2023. This is similar to what we’ve used previously regarding annual pledges; however, it also includes pledges specifically focused on the Capital Campaign that can be pledged over 12, 24, 36 months in addition to your annual pledge for 2024. If you need help or have any questions please contact Nikki at: office@1stcongucc.org, or by phone at 563-582-3648.
We know that times are hard for many right now. Costs for everything have gone way up and funds are tight for so many. We are hoping that you will still consider doing what you can to enable us to be here to accompany you, your families, and current and future friends and parishioners through both our day-to-day lives, as well as life’s important milestones – Baptisms, First Communions, Weddings, Christmases, Easters, and Funerals.
Prior generations saved and sacrificed to build our beautiful Church and its surroundings for us. It’s now our turn to do the same for our children and future generations. Let us band together to give the gift of faith, worship, and community to them. Thank you for considering this request and for being as generous as you can to support these efforts. May God continue to bless you and your family and may God bless our congregation.
Your Fundraising Team,
Pastor Kaity Kemp
Carrie Keller, Board of Trustees
Travis Nelson, Moderator
Jeff Mozena, Vice Moderator
Tina Sio, Board of Trustees
Jeff Szalkowski, Board of Trustees
Merle Santjer, Chair of Trustees