The Visitor A newsletter for members and friends

of First Baptist Church, Madison, Wisconsin

No. 10 May 15, 2020 Vol. 63

Letter from the Transitional Minister

Grace to you and peace from God the Creator and

from the Lord Jesus Christ.

This Sunday, May 17, will be Rev. Jason Mack’s

last Sunday as Minister of Community, and this

Friday, May 22, will be his last day in the office. As

he announced recently, he will take up the post of

pastor of Underwood Memorial Baptist Church in

Waukasha in June. We wish God’s blessings upon

him. This Sunday we will have a brief liturgy of

farewell. I know that you will want to be online to

participate in that experience.

FBC thus goes from a two-pastor church to a one-

pastor church. It first called for an associate pastor

in 1955, John D. Blythe, according to The First 150

Years of First Baptist Church Madison, Wisconsin,

p. 69. This transition is an important marker in the

history of the church. What does God have in store

for us now as a one-pastor church? What blessings

are ahead? What challenges? What is God calling

each of us to do? Please pray with me these

questions.

Sunday and Monday, May 3 and 4, I participated

in an online retreat for clergy presented by Shalem

Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington,

DC. The theme of the retreat was “Living and

Leading from the Spiritual Heart in a Time of

Heightened Anxiety.” Almost 200 ministers from

around the world gathered. Our leader talked about

leaning back into the spiritual heart and leaning

forward in compassion and courage. Living from

the spiritual heart means two things:

(1) spending significant time each day in prayer and

meditation, and

(2) being a contemplative presence in our ministry.

During the retreat I produced this painting on my

computer. It is entitled, “Living from the Spiritual

Heart.”

From this retreat I took an adaptation of

Psalm 46:10 with which I closed my sermon last

Sunday:

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am.

Be still and know.

Be still.

Be.

Friday, May 8, I also participated, along with

Vern Lowell, in an American Baptist Churches

USA training to be a Climate Ambassador.

According to the advance material, “The training

and subsequent certification help people of faith

build an understanding of the connection between

faith, creation care, and our climate, and to gain the

skills and confidence to share a call to action with

others in your community.” You may remember

that we had some Adult Education lessons on

creation care earlier this year. I’m sure that you will

hear more from Vern and me as we seek God’s will

in how we as a church care for the earth. In the

meantime here is what American Baptists are doing

through the Creation Justice Network:

https://www.abc-usa.org/creation-justice/

I will continue to preach from the Gospel

lectionary text. Here is my sermon schedule for the

rest of Eastertide:

Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 17, 2020

“The Spirit of Truth: Jesus Abiding with Us”

(John 14:15-21).

Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 24, 2020

“That They May Be One: Jesus” “Prayer for Unity”

(John 17:1-11).

Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2020

“They Were All Together in One Place”

(Acts 2:1-11)

See you online!

Peace to you,

Rev. Michael Newheart

P.S. Both Pastor Jason and I work under the

Covenant and Code of Ethics for Ministerial

Leaders of the American Baptist Churches in the

USA

(http://ministerscouncil.com/resources/covenant/cov

enant_english.pdf).

It says, “I will, upon my resignation or retirement,

sever my ministerial leadership relations with my

former constituents, and will not make ministerial

contacts in the field of another ministerial leader

without his/her request and/or consent.” Pastor

Jason, then, will not be ministering to people at

FBC because he has a position with another church.

If you see him around town, please do not ask his

opinion about occurrences at FBC. This would not

be fair to him or to current or future leadership at

FBC.

April / May 2020

*Online numbers represent the number of

devices / households joining in. It does not

represent the actual number of individuals.

JOIN SUNDAYS AT

10:30 AM Using a Computer:

https://tinyurl.com/y774ujwq

Meeting I.D: 418 896 234 Password:

Joining by telephone: Call 1 (312) 626-6799

For those new to Zoom, detailed instructions are on

the last page.

Live Stream to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistMad/

Scroll down the timeline to find it. The video will

appear when the service starts.

Join a Board

Make a Difference

It’s almost that time of the year again when FBC

transitions to a new fiscal year and new board

members.

Although things are different due to the

Coronavirus, many things stay the same. The need

for member participation is more important now

than ever so that our church can keep moving

forward and stay strong.

We specifically need people to serve on the Board

of Outreach and on the Board of Trustees.

Information for the boards will be provided in the

next issue of The Visitor. If you would like to find

out more about any or all of the boards, please

contact one of our current board chairs or the office.

FBC Boards or Teams June 2019

Moderator Gil Emmert (1-Year Term)

Victor Crentsil, Vice Moderator (2-Year Term)

Coral Bishop, Treasurer (1-Year Term)

Claire Rider, Assistant

Carla Eakins, Church Clerk (1-Year Term)

Gene Dewey, Membership Clerk (1-Year Term)

Barbara Eggleston, Historian (1-Year Term)

Term Expires June 15 of Year Listed Board or Team 2020 2021 2022

Trustees *Paul Chotlos Adán Lara

Erica Kersten

Nancy Emmert

Diane Adams

Carl Siddell

Coral Bishop/Claire Rider

Outreach *Wynn Davies Lynette Miller

Geneva Moore Sheila Donald

Dennis Ray

Sam Gunshor

Bob Sweet

Education *Carolyn Cross

Jennifer D’Angelo

Jeanette Kersten

Jodi Lara

Date Worship #

04/05/20 68 (Online)*

04/09/30 38 Maundy Thursday

(Online)*

04/12/20 71 (Online)*

04/19/20 55 (Online)*

04/26/20 62 (Online)*

05/03/20 60 (Online)*

05/10/20 59 (Online)*

FBC NEEDS YOU NOW

WORSHIP ONLINE AT FBC

ATTENDANCE NUMBERS

Board or Team 2020 2021 2022

Deacons *Mary Fiore Katy Marty Barry Kita

Joan Turner Janet Reinke

Mary Ray

Barbara Eggleston

Pastoral Relations

Bill Fiore Victor Crentsil

Nancy Emmert

Brooke Siddell

*Board Chairs

Church Leadership Council Members

Moderator, Gil Emmert

Vice Moderator, Victor Crentsil

Board of Christian Education, Carolyn Cross

Board of Trustees, Paul Chotlos

Church Clerk, Carla Eakins

Board of Christian Outreach, Wynn Davies

Board of Deacons, Mary Fiore

Interim Minister, Michael Newheart

Budget Update:

The budget income for April was $903.54 less

than the budget expenses, but there is still a

$54,272.84 budget surplus. At this point in the

year, the overall income and expenses should be

at 33.33% of the annual budget--income overall

is at 52.08% and expenses overall are at

36.07%. The budget expense lines already over

their annual budget are Office Expenses at

105.13%, Insurance at 129.08%, Fire Alarm

Monitoring at 101.25 and Furnace Water

Treatment at 133.33%. Insurance and fire

alarm monitoring should not have any more

expenses this year, furnace water treatment

might, and office expenses will definitely incur

additional expenses throughout the year.

The Endowment Fund now has regained all

its principal, but there are -$21.843.33 in

Uncommitted Earnings, making it unlikely that

there will be $14,500.00 available to transfer

into the budget this year, as was budgeted.

The Account Balance (Statement of Financial

Position) shows -$5,871.92 in the Operating

Fund at BMO Harris. That is an error I caused

when I transferred $50,000. out of the checking

account to the Operating Fund at ABEC

because there was a large balance in the

checking account. I neglected to investigate

how much the balance was attributed to the

Operating Fund vs. the Designated Fund.

Today we have requested $35,000 of the

amount in the Operating Fund at ABEC be

transferred to the Designated Fund at ABEC.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have

any questions.

Nancy Moore, FBC Bookkeeper

Dear Friends,

It’s not easy dealing with the reality of aging and

death of a dear one. My mother’s passing was

difficult and sad, especially during this time of Safe

at Home. So many plans have changed due to the

Coronavirus; but my family and I have coped as

best as we can.

Thank you so much to all of you. Your cards,

calls, and emails with beautiful words of support

and sympathy certainly have been a great

consolation to us all.

With appreciation,

Blanca Salazar James and Family

Church Family: Jeanette Kersten’s father, Paul

Husting’s friends David and James, Sally, Del, and

Lance Dockter, Jill Thomas’ sister Carol, Sheila

Donald, Carl Siddell’s father, Jacki Barnes’

daughter-in-law, Jane, Linda McCarroll Stamm and

family; Chrys Hegley and family, the Gunshor

family, Katy Marty’s mother, Ruth Evans and

family, Pam Mack’s cousin, Michelle Gotwald,

Bernie Long and family

Our Shut-ins: Pat and Harley Young, Linda

Olson, Ruth Parfrey, Martha Fuguitt, and Atlee

Wilson

Others: Those whose names and needs are

unspoken.

PRAYER CONCERNS

WITH APPRECIATION

FROM FBC’S BOOKKEEPER

As we continue to adapt to online sharing, FBC

has activities that you are invited to join:

Bible Study Group (Online) – This group is co-

led by Rev. Bob Martens (retired ABC pastor)

and Rev. Michael Newheart. (Rev. Martens leads

one Wednesday, and Rev. Michael leads the

other.) They focus on the lectionary texts for the

following Sunday. It meets for about one to one

and a half hours.

Join Zoom Meeting Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. https://tinyurl.com/y7ddvfrm Meeting ID: 180 468 362 Password:

Telephone dial in: 1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

and enter the meeting ID number.

FBC @ Prayer (Online) – This prayer group

lifts up joys and concerns of the congregation.

The group is led by Revs. Michael Newheart. It

meets for half an hour.

Join Zoom Meeting Thursdays at Noon:

Spiritual Renewal Group 1 (Online) – Spiritual

Renewal Group 1 is reading and discussing a new

book, Howard Thurman’s Jesus and the

Disinherited, the most popular book written by

one of the leading spiritual writers of the 20th

century. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. carried

a copy of this book everywhere he went. The

book answers the question, what does the gospel

of Jesus say to folks such as African Americans

whose backs are up against the wall?

We meet via ZOOM from 7:00 to 8:30 PM the

first and third Monday of each month. We would

love to have others join us. Call or email Vern

Lowell if you have questions.

Spiritual Renewal Group 2 (Online) – We meet

via ZOOM 4:00 PM the second and fourth Tuesday

of each month. We pick a spiritual book and

discuss it. We are more than a book club, as our

goal is to grow in our spiritual journey, so only pick

books that help us to grow. We have become a

support group as well. We endeavor to not tell what

each other says to the general public, and no one is

wrong, so we don't try and convince each other that

we are right. Also, we do not discuss church

business when we meet. We get along very well

because of the policy of the group.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://tinyurl.com/y8brxx4e

Meeting ID: 825 2775 4175 Password:

If joining by telephone, the number is 1 (312) 626-

6799 and enter the meeting ID and password.

Maundy Thursday: https://youtu.be/hHGqKzyVeVo

Easter Sunday: https://youtu.be/M1lnykRZwCA

During this time of the pandemic, we are all

isolated in different ways, but we need not feel

alone, for all of us have a connection to one another

as children of God. The deacons, understanding the

isolation that we are all feeling, hope to bring us

together in all the ways that are available to us. We

ask you to consider the needs you may have,

whether they are physical, social, emotional, or

spiritual. Do you need someone to deliver groceries

or pet food? Help make sure you get your

medications. Offer a listening ear through phone,

email or cards/letters? Connect with a church

“buddy”? Assure that you are connected with those

you love? Share a comforting prayer or poem?

If you are able to help, you might be able to

provide assistance with any of the above. In these

challenging days, there are no separations between

those who accept help and those who give help.

Please call or email the church office (233-1880),

fbcoffice@firstbaptistmadison.org if you would like

to connect.

The United Way has a site up now for posting

needs for volunteers and connections for people

who want to volunteer. This is a statewide site, not

just Dane County.

https://tinyurl.com/unitedwayvolunteer

There are many Madison area volunteering (and

giving) opportunities, such as The Road Home

(https://trhome.org/) and Second Harvest Foodbank

(https://tinyurl.com/harvestfood). ABC of

Wisconsin’s Covid Response web page is

at https://tinyurl.com/wisfaith.

VOLUNTEER

KEEPING CONNECTED

FBC BIBLE AND STUDY GROUPS

May 2020 / June 2020

Message from Pastor Jason

Tara, Ethan and I will be forever grateful for the

opportunity that First Baptist has provided us:

welcoming us to Wisconsin, supporting us as a

family, nurturing Ethan’s faith development and

being friends to us throughout our time here. We are

grateful for the friendships we have made among

members and staff and for the pastoral guidance and

professional mentorship from both Pastors Mark and

Michael.

I came to First Baptist with almost no experience in

mainline, established congregations, and I am afraid

at times, that it showed. I am thankful for the patience

that I was offered and the opportunities to try some

new things. I leave First Baptist a better minister,

more mature Christian, and more empathetic human

being then when I arrived.

I hope that over these past eight years God was able

to use me to be a blessing in your life. I hope that

something I said from the pulpit, in a meeting, or one-

on-one will stick with you and help you in some small

way. I hope that some of the things I have tried to do

with worship, outreach and education will stick around

after I am gone. But most of all, I hope that you always

remember that God loves you, right now, just the way

you are.

Forever grateful,

Rev. Jason Mack

Farewell and Congratulations

Pastor Jason

We will miss you! We wish you all the

best as you move on in your ministry.

1 Sam Gunshor

1 Hynji Haynes

2 Katy Marty

2 Russell Novkov

2 Morgan Turner

12 Frank Hill

18 Nancy Moore

24 Doug Haynes

24 Kevin Lempp

25 James Moen

27 Steve Daggett

29 Brock Dockter

30 Jim Davison

30 Del Dockter

30 Charlotte Kersten

2 Gil Emmert

2 Lisa Ashwill

5 Jennifer Angelo

5 Matthew Chotlos

6 James T. Evans

8 Laura Sweet

10 John Darling

11 Julia Voss

11 Brenda Moen

13 Sean Blythe

20 Gerald Eggleston

21 Ava Kersten

23 Billy Holland Jr.

24 Karen Fennema

25 Les Ferge

28 Susan Hausler

28 Barry Kita

28 Sylvia Lowell

29 Edith Davison

30 Vern Lowell

BIRTHDAYS

IT’S A CELEBRATION AFTER WORSHIP

WITH PASTOR JASON AND FAMILY

Farewell to Rev. Jason, Tara, and Ethan

As you have undoubtedly read or heard, Pastor Jason has accepted a call to be the pastor of Underwood Memorial Baptist Church in Wauwatosa, WI. Sadly for us, this is his last worship service with our church family (May 17).

Normally, when a pastor leaves, we have a party in Fellowship Hall with cake and punch to say goodbye and send him/her off with our best wishes. The Safer at Home directive doesn't allow us to do that, so...

we are having a virtual party during Fellowship Time after our online worship.

This will be our chance to be with Pastor Jason, Tara, and Ethan to celebrate their eight years with us and to express our best

wishes as Pastor Jason and his family embark on a new phase of his ministry.

In preparation for this virtual celebration, you should have your own cake and punch, or whatever refreshments you want, at the party. Mary Fiore has volunteered to bake a cake for Pastor Jason and his family and will deliver it to them on May 16.

We hope you will join and help us

express our appreciation and present

Pastor Jason with a gift.

MEMORIES OF PASTER JASON’S YEARS AT FBC

SOCIAL JUSTICE MARCHES AND SUPPORT

YOUTH GROUP RETREATS, VOLUNTEERING, AND FAITH-FILLED

EXPERIENCES

WORSHIP WITH SPECIAL MESSAGES AND MEANING

TALENT SHOWS AND LECTURES

FAITH RETREATS AT GREENLAKE