First Congregational is very pleased to welcome Pastor Mary Jo Laabs.
Mary Jo is a seasoned interim minister who has served four different churches in the Wisconsin Conference, most recently she has been Interim Pastor at Hope Church in Sturgeon Bay.
She will be our new Interim Associate Minister for Congregational Life, with specific responsibility for four areas: Visitation, Small Group Ministry, Adult Education and Membership Development. This is a full-time position for eighteen months with an option to renew for six months. Her appointment has been approved by Church Council at their September meeting upon the recommendation of the Search Committee, consisting of Rick Behm, Chip Gabbey (Chair) and Becky Gilbert.
An accomplished musician and graduate of St. Norbert College and the Lay Academy, Pastor Mary Jo is a licensed pastor whose previous churches raved about her energy, her enthusiasm, her preaching and her hard work as a pastor who quickly knew everyone’s name. She has a passion for pastoral work that was clear when she interviewed with the Search Committee, and with Moderator Kris Hietpas as well as Pastor Susan. She comes with the highest recommendation of our Conference Minister, Rev. Jane Anderson.
We are excited to welcome her to worship on October 16 when she will be leading worship with Pastor Nick Hatch. Her ministry with us officially begins on October 15.
Pastor Mary Jo had planned to be serving communion on October 2, but she came down with COVID 19 the day before and needed to postpone her participation in worship. She will be moving to Appleton on October 12.
Please welcome her to First Congregational and pray for her during this transition!
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