Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 51 No.                 SOUTHSIDE ORACLE  _                          __ _ __          March 7, 2008

 History of the Southside Church (3)

Reaching Out to the Community

1962 was a significant year for Southside. Construction of the new building was under way and members donated hundreds of hours of labor in addition to the contractual work. On completion the property was valued at $105,000. Indebtedness was retired in August, 1977.

Before the building was occupied the area was canvassed and neighbors invited to the first service. Attendance opening Sunday, October 12, was a record 141 with many community visitors present. On December 2, seven were baptized, bringing to fifteen the number baptized in 1962. Membership now stood at 60.

In the following years the membership fluctuated because of many moving away. In 1976 fifteen families moved away. Yet each time the church built back because of new converts.  Gradually the composition of the church changed.  Initially most members were move-ins, but as more local people were baptized the church came to be composed of those native to the area. By 1973 membership stood at 84.

New programs were begun in the 1960's. A church library was started in 1963. In 1964 Southside initiated a cooperative booth at the Wisconsin State Fair. This was repeated the next year and again in 1974 and 1975. Though effective, the booth required so many volunteer hours to operate that it was decided that resources could be better spent in other efforts.

In 1965 the church began a direct mail program with brochures introducing the church being sent into the community. The program has continued to the present; currently 40,000 pieces are mailed annually. It has proven to be our most effective outreach and has contributed significantly to the many community visitors with which we are blessed each week.

For many years a daytime summer vacation Bible school was conducted, often exceeding 100 students with many from the neighborhood.. Later it was changed to an evening Bible school to appeal to families instead of children only. In 1968 the church conducted a survey of 700 community homes. The survey was preceded by a training period in which half the church participated and resulted in numerous favorable contacts.

In 1970 Southside began offering area-wide Monday night advanced Bible classes for thirteen weeks during the winter. They were open to anyone wishing to come and some drove a long distance to attend. These classes continued for five years with Edwin Broadus from 35th and Cherry and Monroe Hawley doing most of the teaching. Attendance often exceeded twenty. Later the classes were resumed for a two year period.

 The Bulletin Board

CAN YOU HELP?   The Southside Youth Rally will be March 28 - 30. To make the youth rally a success, we need your help. Please review the posted sign-up sheets to volunteer for:

            • Food donation for youth and adult sponsors

            • Provide housing for visiting youth and adult sponsors

For questions or comments, see Denise Eppler or Juan Santana.

We extend our condolences to the Saunders family in the death of Dennis' mother, Rachel Emerson, on February 27^th. The funeral was in Black River Falls on Monday.

The Sick - Michael Shuster had treatment for a heart blockage last week, but is now doing well .... Sue Backus had recent shoulder surgery .... Ann Tevik is undergoing rehab at Franciscan Woods.

The CPR class has been re-scheduled for March 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. An extra hour may be needed if the class is large. Snacks will be provided. Contact us for details.

The Tweens are sponsoring a Family Pool Night at Greendale High School. on March 7^th from 6:30 -- 8:30 p.m. This is for the whole family.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

(*) first service, 135, second service, 87

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME begins Sunday. Come an hour earlier.

Praise and Palate will be Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Bring Irish food .

Calendar of Events

March 7 -- Family Pool Night sponsored by Tweens, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Greendale High School

March 9 - Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.

March 19 - Christian Workers' Meeting, 9:00 a.m.

March 28 - 30 - Southside youth rally

March 30 - Elders' forum, 6:00 p.m.

July 12, 13 – 50^th anniversary homecoming of Southside Church

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