Members of First English Lutheran Church
You’ve probably heard of the restoration work taking place at the First English Lutheran Church, but did you know they have a monthly Third Saturday worship service as well? The Church’s Restoration efforts began in 1999, and include making the building handicap accessible and replacing the roof. In addition, benches and other features were restored, and the sanctuary dome was decorated with a sky mural. You may also wonder whether the Members are ‘white,’ as some of them are.
Restoration work at First English Lutheran Church
In December, the demolition contract for First English Lutheran Church was halted in order to conduct engineering and funding searches. The church recently completed a $1.4 million facade restoration project, funded by forty families from the congregation. The restoration effort included repairing and replacing the original oak doors, restoring stained glass windows and restoring the bell tower. The church is hopeful that a future bell restoration project will save the building’s original floor plan.
The current state of the church’s restoration project involves cosmetic improvements. A new restroom has been installed downstairs with a nursing mothers’ room. The fellowship hall has been renovated into a large gathering space. The lobby has been completely remodeled and will be a gathering space. The stained glass windows have a lasting effect on the community and the faith of those who attend. They reflect the story of the church and its mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Worship in-person every Sunday at 9 a.m.
If you are unable to make it to church on Sunday, you can watch our service live online. We have live streaming on our website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. If you can’t make it to worship, you can always watch the service later. Alternatively, you can listen to the audio recordings online. All you need to do is sign up for our monthly newsletter and receive an automatic reminder via email.
Third Saturday of each month at 5 p.m.
On the third Saturday of each month, the Silver Street Studios hosts an open studios event. Over 60 international artists showcase their work, which ranges from jewelry to sculpture to glass. Visitors can also meet artists, learn more about their creative processes, and purchase art from their creations. There are also demonstrations and lectures about the artists’ work. For more information, visit the Silver Street Studios website. At the third Saturday of each month, the studios are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Members’ ‘whiteness’
The Racial Justice Action Group at the First English Lutheran Church (FELC) formed to investigate the whiteness of the congregation. They sought to create strategies to achieve authentic and strategic diversity within the congregation. Team members included Nancy Baden, Erin McCracken, Mary Lou Larson, Cassi Smith, and Barbara Wiederanders. They conducted a survey, gathered data, and evaluated the current culture of the congregation to come up with meaningful recommendations.
In December 2014, the church welcomed Pastor Jennifer Peters McCurry as its Associate Pastor. She is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has experience in urban ministry, Christian education, and outreach to the homeless. Originally from West Fargo, ND, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and currently resides in Mt. Lebanon with her husband, Jeremy.