Can you believe it’s mid-July already?? Here’s the latest info and summer happenings here at First:
Fresh Emails for Teams
As a part of our continuing updates for tech, we have cleaned up our email addresses for the Teams and ministries at church. We had many random emails that were not being used, so the new plan is to have one group email per team. This email address is a “distribution” list that will send your message to all the members of that team. That way the whole team is notified of your communication, but from there the Team can decide who should respond. The response will be from the team member(s) personal email. We’ve also made the addresses similar and shorter. Here is the new list, including staff email addresses:
- office@frcportage.org – Cindi/general church communication
- kyle@frcportage.org – Pastor Kyle Douglass
- pastorsteve@frcportage.org – Pastor Steve Johnson
- hayden@frcportage.org – Hayden Axe
- financeteam@frcportage.org – Marti Phelps
- vicepresident@frcportage.org – Vice President of Consistory (currently Peter Cook)
- consistory@frcportage.org – all current Consistory members (both Elders and Deacons)
- executiveteam@frcportage.org – all current Executive Team members
- elders@frcportage.org – all current elders
- deacons@frcportage.org – all current deacons
- churchlife@frcportage.org – all current Church Life Team members
- education@frcportage.org – all current Education Team members
- finance@frcportage.org – all current Finance Team members
- missionandoutreach@frcportage.org – all current Mission and Outreach members
- prayer@frcportage.org – all current Prayer Team members
- property@frcportage.org – all current Property Team members
- tech@frcportage.org – all current Tech and Security Team members
- worship@frcportage.org – all current Worship Team members
Family Fun Night – August 12, 2024
Let’s celebrate the too-fast-passing of summer and the USA victory in the Olympics (right??) with an evening hangout for the whole family. On August 12, 2024, 5:30-8:00 PM, there will be music, an Olympic Competition hosted by our very own Hayden Axe, and food! And what’s more American than Tacos and S’mores? So bring your lawn chair, your appetite, (and friend or two??) and your patriotism!
Help us estimate for food and games by signing up here: https://frcportage.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2398902
Know someone who might need help with online registration? No worries, just email Cindi at office@frcportage.org and she can add them manually, or feel free to add them to your registration. Team work makes the dream work!
Expansion of Intern Program
Consistory voted Tuesday to approve an expansion of our Internship program (which Hayden is the sole member of currently), but allowing Hayden and up to three roommates to move into the parsonage. This allows the parsonage to be used for ministry and provides very affordable housing for the interns. Interns will live in the house, attend church, and serve in some area (maintenance, tech, worship, etc.). We are working out the administrative details currently, and expect move-in to begin in August/September. If you know of a male young person (18-25) currently in college and interested in an opportunity like this, please contact Kyle at kyle@frcportage.org.
Nursery Coordinator Needed
Do you love babies and cute little toddlers? Do you want to serve parents of youngin’s by facilitating a kind, safe, and love-filled environment for children during services? Would you consider coordinating our nursery program? We are looking for an organized person with a heart for kids to head up the recruiting and scheduling of volunteers and the maintenance of the nursery room. Sarah B is coordinating our new First Kids! program downstairs, and it would be very helpful to have a separate coordinator for the Nursery. Besides occasional meetings and training, the commitment should be 1-2 hours per week. Please email office@frcportage.org if you’d like more information.
Tom Byholt is New Property Team Leader
Evelyn Puckett recently stepped down from the Team Lead role of the Property Team, and Tom Byholt has stepped up to take on that position. Thank you Evelyn for all of your hard work (and for continuing on with the team) and thank you, Tom, for taking on the position!
Prayer
- Jean Kiel (Pam Reeve’s mother) is moving to hospice at Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Rose Arbor). Please pray for Jean in her final days, and for the family as they surround her with love and support.
- Peter and Peggy Cook as they care for grand children in Toronto, CAD.
- Student Ministry as Hayde continues to launch the youth program (there were 7 highschoolers at Wednesday’s meeting!)
- The growth of the intern program and working out the logistics and admin.
- Fall kick off and team planning.
- A new nursery coordinator who will delight in serving our growing kiddos!
