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Frequently Asked Questions about First English:

Q: How do I become a member?

A: If you would like to join First English, you are invited to attend a New Member Session:

Sunday, January 31: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Downtown Site
Please register by calling Kristy Howard in the church office at 920-733-2303 and indicate if child care is needed.

Q: How do I schedule a baptism?

A: Baptism is God’s gift of love and hope. All families seeking to have an adult or child baptized at either site should plan to attend a Baptismal Workshop. Please consult our online calendar for the date of our next Baptismal Workshop and RSVP by calling the church office at 920-733-2303 and indicating if childcare is needed. Whether or not you have had a child baptized at First English, plan to attend a workshop before scheduling a baptism if you haven't attended a Baptism Workshop in the past 3 years.

Q: How do I schedule a wedding?

A: Weddings at First English are conducted for those couples where at least one partner is a member of First English. Contact the church office at 920-733-2303 to be placed on our wedding calendar. You will receive a preliminary wedding packet that will help answer many of the questions you may have about our wedding policy, along with a request for a nonrefundable $100 deposit that will secure the date.

Our desire is for the church in which you are married to be not only a special place for you, but an important place where the two of you grow in faith and love. The wedding service is first and foremost a celebration of the love of God. God’s love in Christ makes it possible for us to love one another. In planning this service, lessons, vows and music will be chosen by the couple and approved by the pastor.

To help couples plan their ceremony and learn more about the wedding coordinator ministry, couples are required to attend two workshops before their wedding:

• The “Getting Married, Getting Started” session helps couples plan their ceremony and introduces them to the Wedding Coordinator Ministry. Couples will meet with pastors, musical director and wedding coordinators to learn how to plan their ceremony and music. This workshop also will discuss First English guidelines and offer small group time with other engaged couples.
  
  
• The Wes Johnson Workshop is conducted by Wes Johnson, a licensed professional Christian counselor, who assists couples in preparing for their life together, getting through difficult times and enriching their relationship. Wes has a passion for working with couples to direct them toward the type of marriage that God has designed for them. This is a group workshop. Couples must attend a workshop or work one-on-one
  with Wes before their wedding. To participate in Prepare-Enrich, a free assessment for couples that includes skill-building exercises, follow this link: www.prepare-enrich.com.
  

Couples meet with the officiating pastor 30 to 90 days before the wedding to finalize the details of the upcoming ceremony. A wedding coordinator also will be assigned.

PREMARITAL MARRIAGE WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

• Sept. 19, 2009: "Getting Married, Getting Started"
  9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the Downtown Site.
• Feb. 6, 2010: "Getting Married, Getting Started"
  9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the Downtown Site.
• Sept. 18, 2010: "Getting Married, Getting Started"
  9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the Downtown Site.

• Nov. 7, 2009: Wes Johnson Workshop, "Building a Successful Christian Marriage"
  8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Gathering Area at the North Site.
• March 6, 2010: Wes Johnson Workshop, "Building a Successful Christian Marriage"
  8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Gathering Area at the North Site.
• Nov. 6, 2010: Wes Johnson Workshop, "Building a Successful Christian Marriage"
  8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Gathering Area at the North Site.

Wedding guidelines: Follow this link.

WEDDING BULLETIN TEMPLATE

Download a sample wedding bulletin here.
Design your bulletin layout here.

Questions regarding music? Contact Melissa Moll at mmoll@felc.com.

PLANNING YOUR WEDDING MUSIC
Wedding services are joy-filled opportunities to worship and praise God
for the gifts of love and marriage. Read more.

WEDDING MUSIC INFORMATION WORK SHEET
North Site weddings: Click here.
Downtown Site weddings: Click here.

Q: How do I sign up for Simply Giving?

A: It's easy to sign up for this convenient, automated giving program sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Through Simply Giving, your gifts are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account. You determine the frequency of your automatic gift – weekly, semi-monthly or monthly – the option is yours and Thrivent pays all transaction fees. These funds are deposited on the same day into the congregation’s bank account.

For more information, download a Simply Giving form or follow the "Online giving" link on our home page.

Q: How do endowment funds work?

A: To learn more about trust funds at First English, follow this link.

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