FAITH AND THE DANDELION by Michael W. Cochran

Transcription

1 The GLEANER Vol. CXLVII, No. 130 October 2015 The McConnellsburg United Presbyterian Church Office: web page: FAITH AND THE DANDELION by Michael W. Cochran I remember as a young boy picking my Mom bouquets of dandelions. The smile that came to her face, the gentle kiss on my forehead and the soft words she spoke as she reconfirmed what I already knew. Sweetie, those are the prettiest flowers I ve ever seen. She would say, How about we put them on the table where everyone can see them. I m convinced they were beautiful since they always made her happy. Years later I moved into my own home and my neighbors were consumed with the war they had declared on the dreadful dandelion. I sheepishly grinned within because I knew they were up against a worthy opponent. Nonetheless, they brought in their heavy artillery and advanced across the battlefield destroying and crushing under their feet, Mom s favorite flower. One early morning, while having a cup of coffee on my deck, admiring the beautiful array of yellow dining room flowers canvassing my No War Zone, I was reminded, everything and everybody that God created is beautiful and valuable in His eyes, designed with a purpose. I ve learned three valuable lessons from the dandelion. First, they will bring a smile to a Mother s eyes. Second, they aren t destroyed when exposed to heat. Thirdly, they spring forth the next morning full of life. No matter how hard they were hit the day before. I do realize I said three reasons, but this one is free since this is my story and I can. My Grandpa always said, If Jesus can turn water into wine, then certainly he can make a good wine out of a dandelion. And, a final thought to pass on about the dandelion is, even though you can t see it at dawns break, doesn t mean it s not there. So is, our faith the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. The dandelion springs forth with new life when exposed to the morning sun, just as our faith becomes alive when we re exposed to the Son.

2 Prayer Concerns: Please be in prayer for those listed below and their families: Short Term: Family of Sheila Glenn, Family of Dale Keebaugh (Ken Keebaugh s uncle). Family of Shirley Truax, Jane MacDonald, Barb Blair (friend of Ken Keebaugh), Ben Faunce, Cathy Jo Richards, Lynn Lanehart. Long Term: Anne Howard, Martha Seville, Jerry Reed, Jonathan Farling, Chas Howells (son of Wes Howells). October 2- Brittany Mitchell 3- Mary Jane LeFevre 4- Meryl Kerlin 8- Janet McGinnis 10- Julie Dovey, Taureem Spriggs, Jason Ritchey, Dora Deneen, & Jackie Kerlin 11- Patsy Johnson 13- John Williams 14- Jeremy Dickinson & Nancy Harr 15- Helen Clusman & Pat Mellott 18- Seth Winegardner, Ken Keebaugh, & Alison Burnett 22- Kenny Walker 23-David Bivens 25- Harvey Kneas 26- Holden Hilliker 29- Kylas Mitchell Financial for August Lift project balance remaining on $102,510 debt $47, Financial for August General $11, Benevolence $2, Building Fund $2, GLEANER DEADLINE for the November issue is Monday, October 19th. Please submit your information by that day. If you can t it, feel free to call or lay a hand written document on the secretary s desk. A heartfelt Christian sympathy for the family of Sheila Glenn. Sanctuary Flowers The flowers on September 27 th are given to the glory of God and in celebration of the 90 th birthday of Barbara Walker. Evan and Maria Smith s New Address: 15 Windsor Drive Fisherville, VA 22939

3 Lectionary Readings for October Week of October 4 19 th Sunday after Pentecost Job 1:1,2:1-10 Psalm 26 Hebrews 1:1-4: 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16 Week of October th Sunday after Pentecost Job 23:1-9, Psalm Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31 Week of October st Sunday after Pentecost Job 38:1-7 (34-41) Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c Hebrews 5:1-10 Mark 10:35-45 Week of October nd Sunday after Pentecost Job 42:1-6, Psalm 34: 1-8 (19-22) Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 10:46-52 PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR THE GATHERING Thank you to the following individuals for their assistance during The Gathering in the month of September: Fellowship Committe - (13) Harvey Kneas (20) Noreen Mann (27) THE GATHERING OCTOBER SCHEDULE Marion & Charles Walker - (4) The Carlson s - (11) Bells - (18) Rachel Lane - (25) October 4 th, 2015 World Communion Oct. 15 th -18 th Fulton Fall Folk Festival Weekend October 29 5:30 Trunk or Treat Trustees Trustees met on September 3, 2015 at 7:00 in the Fellowship House with the following trustees in attendance: Scott Alexander, Wes Howells, Sandy Richards, Lisa Culler, Gary Ankney and Richard Hornberger. The board discussed the resignation of the pastor and what work would need to be completed at the manse before a new

4 interim pastor is hired. The outside door to the basement needs painting, the bath tub will need to be checked out for possible recoating and the fan in the downstairs bathroom needs replacing. A load of mulch in the backyard needs to be spread out. The board also discussed what work should be deferred until a new pastor is hired. Interior painting of the manse will be deferred until the new preacher picks colors. Richard Hornberger reported that he ensured that the manse was cleaned out after Pastor Fleming removed all of his belongings. Several boxes left in the garage were recycled. Some furniture items were left by Pastor Fleming to be donated to Christian Social Services. Richard had these items removed from the manse. Lisa Culler was selected to represent the Trustees on the Nominating Committee. The water leak reported in the woman s bathroom in the church basement was repaired by installation of a new toilet. Wes Howells handled cleaning up the water and oversaw G. M. Shearer plumbing when they replaced the broken toilet. The ceiling fans in the sanctuary were reported as not working. During a brief investigation it was discovered that the fan master switch, located in the closet, was placed in the off position. There is an issue with groups using the church building and changing the seasonal settings for heat and air conditioning, instead of just changing the temporary settings. Wes Howells will look into installing locking covers on the thermostats to secure the seasonal settings. The temporary settings will still be available to be changed. The trustees discussed the quote received from G. M. Shearer plumbing to replace the HVAC in the Education Building. Scott reported that he did not receive an updated quote from Ed Lininger by the requested submission date. The Trustees voted to accept the quote from G. M. Shearer and it will be forwarded to Session for their approval and action. The board continued their discussion of long term plans for maintenance that will be required in the church and the possible order in which items will need to be worked on. Items discussed were: the painting of the outside window frames and possible need for re-leading of the stain glass windows in the church, the cracks in the brick wall above the far left window on the south side of the church, the cracking plaster on all of the inside walls of the church, and the peeling paint on the ceiling of the church. It was decided that all of these items will need attention in the near future, but it is still to be determined in what order they will need to be completed. It was also decided that none of these issues will be inexpensive and the board will need to

5 work with session to determine how this work will be accomplished and paid for. The meeting was closed at 8:05. Next meeting will be on October 2, 2015 at 7:00 in the Fellowship House. Session Session met for their stated September 16, 2015 meeting in the Fellowship House with elders Mary Lou Eisenhower, Harvey Kneas, Al Clark, Myers Kimmel, Carolyn Kerlin, Jack Rhodes, LeeAnne Kendall and the moderator, Rev. Darlene Kline present. Elder LeeAnne Kendall led devotions and the moderator opened the meeting at 6:40. The meeting agenda and the minutes of the June 17 and August 19 meeting were approved. The average attendance for the month of August was 71. Several items of correspondence were presented by the clerk none of which needed to be acted upon except a request for a letter of transfer for Neal and Patty Hall to the Orbisonia United Methodist Church. Elders Kimmel and Kerlin will do communion prep for World Wide Communion on October 4. Ron Mitchell will present a minute for mission on September 20 regarding the Crop Walk. Session approved November 8 as Stewardship Sunday and November 22 as Thank Offering Sunday with a minute for mission on November 15. The letter of transfer for Neal and Patty Hall was approved. Elder Kimmel reported that the PNC continues to work very hard and meets weekly. The issue of ordination of current officers has been resolved and Al Clark and LeeAnne Kendall will be ordained as elders on September 27. Members are continuing to apply for clearances for the Child Protection Act. If you haven t submitted yours yet, contact Brittany in the office. In the absence of a pastor there will be no officer s retreat this year. The 90 th birthday party for Barbara Walker has been changed from September 20 to September 27 following worship. Elder Clark reported that the nominating committee will meet following worship on October 4 for the purpose of nominating members to serve as officers on the three boards. Patty Rhodes will represent the deacons and Lisa Culler will represent the trustees. We gave approval for the Stewardship committee to order offering envelopes for next year. When the new time and talent sheets are received in November they will be distributed to the various groups/boards to review for when help is needed for projects, etc. Elders Kimmel and Kerlin reported that the Christian Ed committee is planning a lockin for the youth. Tim Fowler and Alison Burnett will help with this. The Worship committee is working very hard to line up supply pastors to fill our pulpit. New Prayer partners were assigned. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 with prayer by the moderator.

6 Deacons September 2, 2015 Jo Ann Carlson, moderator, opened the meeting in the Fellowship House with prayer at 7:10pm. Also present were Connie Brown, Patty Rhodes, Stanley Kerlin and Joyce Hornberger. July minutes were read and approved with the following corrections: 12 units of blood were collected at the blood drive and the name of the project is Hands and Feet of Hope. Visits and concerns were discussed and the prayer list was updated. Old Business: Ice cream social was a rousing success with the largest attendance to date. Many thanks to Rachel for handling the collection and delivery of school supplies to the Catholic Mission. Leo Spriggs was recently baptized and received gift from the Deacons. New Business: Blood pressure screening will be September 13 after the service. Patty Rhodes will serve as representative for the deacons on the Nominating Committee. Patty will also contact Patty Hall about status of Crop Walk. Halloween Trunk or Treat is set for October 29 at 5:30pm. Benevolences: Loves Closet $50.00 Food Basket $ WIN $ Crop Walk $ Next meeting will be October 7, 2015 at 7pm. Prayer partners were assigned. Meeting was closed with prayer by Connie Brown. Presbyterian Women September 9, 2015 The September 9, 2015 meeting of the Presbyterian was opened by moderator Carolyn Kneas. Ten ladies were present. She welcomed the ladies and especially new member Nancy Bivens. Special prayers for Esther, Audrey, Charlotte, Ella, Barb Leese, and Martha Seville. Minutes of the June meeting were read and approved. The treasurer s report was given by Marion Walker. The June offering was There were no bills leaving a balance of $ Old Business: The Creager family would like to donate money to be used for the kitchen in memory of Louise. We would like to put it toward the purchase of a new stove. New business: Schedules for next year were handed out in church on Sunday. Carolyn suggested that we purchase paper products such as plates, cups, napkins, and plastic ware to be used for refreshments at our meetings then hostesses only need to be responsible for the food. Debbie Reed will make the purchase. There will be a 90th birthday party after worship on Sunday September 27 for Barbara Walker. Women will

7 provide the food: finger sandwiches, chips, pasta salad, cake, ice cream and drinks. Mary Lou read scripture from Mark 12:41, the widow s offering. Then Carolyn read an article about what happens to the shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child after they leave us. All boxes are opened and inspected. Those that aren t very full are supplemented. We then adjourned to the board room to assemble the shoe boxes to be distributed later. Delicious refreshments were served by hostess Janet Gordon. The next meeting will be on October 14 at 2:00 at the fellowship house. Richard Rotz will present a program about his trip to Russia. Charlotte Fowler will serve as hostess assisted by Carolyn Kneas and LeeAnne Kendall. Presbyterian Women Schedule Operation Christmas Child OCTOBER 14, :00 Fellowship House Hostesses: Charlotte Fowler, LeeAnne Kendall and Carolyn Kneas Program: Trip to Russia Richard Rotz NOVEMBER 11, :00 Fellowship House Hostess: Deb Reed Program: Visit with Bernice Stewart DECEMBER 9, :00 Fellowship House Hostesses: Marion Walker and FaeAnna Heilig Program: Christmas Program JANUARY 13, :00 Fellowship House Hostess: Carolyn Kerlin Program: Let It Go! Carolyn Kneas FEBRUARY 10, :00 Fellowship House Hostess: MaryLou Eisenhower Program: Infant Kits for Central Mennonite Committee MARCH 9, :00 Fellowship House Hostess: Becky Drover Program: TBA APRIL 13, :00 Fellowship House Hostess: Carolyn Kneas Program: Secret Garden of Prayer May 11, 2016 Hostess: TBA Program: TBA 2:00 Fellowship House JUNE 8, :00 Noon Salad Luncheon at Marion Walker s Home Hostesses: Presbyterian Womem Program: TBA CROP Walk There s an African proverb that says, If you ever think you are too small to make a difference, you haven t spent the night with a mosquito. This fall, in large cities and small towns all over the United States, CROP Hunger Walks are being held to fight hunger. For the last thirty-one years, members of this community have joined together to raise funds to help Church World Service fight hunger and malnutrition. CWS does a lot of good in this world by meeting emergency needs, nurturing sustainable

8 development, and assisting refugees and displaced persons. They not only feed hungry people, but they help to address the root causes of poverty and powerlessness. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised at our CROP Walk will go to the Fulton County Food Basket to assist their ministry of feeding hungry people in our own community. Please join with us this year at the Fulton County CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, October 4 th at Cowans Gap State Park. You can help to raise funds and walk with us as an individual or as part of a team, or you can give a donation. However you decide to support the CROP Hunger Walk, remember that each of us working together can make a big difference in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. Please contact Patty Hall at or phall621@gmail.com for more information.

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