Fellowship Church of Shawano members have chosen the First Presbyterian Church as its new permanent site.
Congregations at First Presbyterian Church and Peace United Church of Christ merged into the new church effective Jan. 1. All office operations, as of Feb. 1, and all ministry services, beginning March 1, will be held at 100 W. Presbyterian St, Shawano.
“The church name, Fellowship Church of Shawano, includes the tagline “A union of Presbyterian USA and United Church of Christ. All are welcome.”
“The name reflects the lineage of our denominations,” said Bob Smits, council president at Peace UCC.
Smits sad the Presbyterian Church building has been taken off the market, while the Peace UCC site, 208 E. Maurer St., remains for sale.
New signage at the new church will be installed soon, he added.
Throughout February, Sunday services will continue to alternate between the two churches. First Presbyterian Church will host the Feb. 6 and Feb. 20 services; Peace UCC will host the Feb. 13 and Feb. 27 services. All services begin at 9:30 a.m.
Beginning March 6, the only service will be at 9:30 a.m. Sundays at the Presbyterian Church.
Originally, the two churches planned to sell both buildings and rent a natural site.
“The operational costs weren’t feasible to operate both churches anymore,” Smith said, “but we couldn’t find a location to rent or buy that was right for us — our size, our activities and our needs. We decided it was made more economic sense to stay in one of the buildings we already owned.”
Many of the activities currently held at the Presbyterian Church will continue, including the United Way community dinners, Boy Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous and a community diaper bank.
“Christian education will be a focus for us as we hope to expand with new families,” Smits said.
For the time being, the church will operate with an interim minister as officials plan for a new full-time pastor.
“We are actively in the search process,” Smith said. “It could happen very quickly, or it could take time. Hopefully, we will have one by summer.”
Membership at Fellowship Church of Shawano is about 200.
“We’re all about welcoming,” Smith said. “We are staying in Shawano to serve the community. We serve everybody.”
For more information, call 715-526-3329 or visit the Fellowship Church of Shawano Facebook page.
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