THE CHIMES October 2016

Transcription

1 THE CHIMES October 2016 Volume Number 8 Published 10 Months 2016 NON-PROFIT ORG. U. S. POSTAGE PAID ALLIANCE, OH PERMIT NO. 298 Christ United Methodist Church 470 East Broadway Street Alliance, OH Reverend Stephanie Lee, Pastor Church: Our Mission is to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ and to Serve God by Sharing Compassion Hope and Love church@cumcalliance.orq.7,t.':aimme7n-ammeeinece= ---, Web Page: THE CHIMES October 2016 October 2 October 6 October 9. October 16 October 23 World Communion Sunday Worship; An Evening with Michele Murdock and Sister Judi Clemens; Children's Sabbath Worship; Laity Worship Service and 50 Year Members Recognition followed by a Fellowship Luncheon; Kck-off of Stewardship Campaign

2 Greetings, brothers and sisters, in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! isn't it always amazing how quickly time passes?? Especially when it is the warm months that are galloping by and binging us face to face with Fall's changing colors and temperatures... and scheduling! For many of us the past few months have been a tumultuous time, a time of some awesome highs but also some discouraging lows Yet an important twofold truth seems to have been threaded throughout: that God is very much present and God is faithful! Looking back over my own personal experiences these past several months and those of our lives together all of the wonderful events we are enjoying (ministries such as Cooking for the Soul, Fiddle Fun, the new community garden, our wonderful outreach ministries, fabulous music camp, powerful and intimate times of worship, the upcoming UMW event and the dedication of our new organ console!!), and some sadder changes here at Christ United Methodist Church (saying goodbye to the early service, and some very significant losses among members of our church family) it is still clear to me that God is not only present to us, but is very much active in our lives, caring and guiding and working all things together for good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28.) But that realization also points us to our human responsibility in this human-divine relationship within which we exist. And that responsibility is also twofold: to seek God and to submit to Him. It is not lost on me, now looking back on it, that as a community of faith, our own feeble attempts to seek God and be faithful in answering God's call on this corner clearly have been steps that have paved the way to the wonderful "successes" of at least this small chapter of our story. And this unbeknownst to most if not all of us -- as so many of our steps were faltering at best, feeling so unsure in the journey God has had us on and no clue as to where it might lead. And that is exactly what makes me so excited about this journey of our faith community as we move through this Fall season and all it brings. As you know, a number of the members of our church have been meeting together to try to focus on building up our membership. A wonderful step forward! In that coming together, among other efforts, we have individually and collectively come to the realizations mentioned above: that we as a faith community need to be more intentional and focused on seeking God that is, in personal and collective study and prayer; and further, that we need to submit to God's will and purpose for this church, His church! Yes, God's vision, purpose and direction for our community of faith! And following that line of thinking, it doesn't take a particularly astute individual to ascertain that the outcome for our church will be directly impacted and shaped by our collective attempts to be faithful to that responsibility! The good news of the past few months is still true. Our steps don't have to be perfect or sure... just faithful. After all, God is actively present in the life of this faith community, caring and guiding and working all things together for good as we define ourselves and respond as people who love Him and are called according to His purpose. That brings to mind the image of the potter in Jeremiah 18. God sends the prophet Jeremiah to the shop of a potter to watch him at work. While there, Jeremiah observes how the potter works his clay on a wheel set between his legs and begins to fashion a vessel. (What a powerful image of intimacy and what implications of birth and new creation!) If the work in progress is not successful and the vessel taking shape is somehow defective, the potter will squeeze and shape the clay or squash the clay and begin again. It seems the pliability of the clay has everything to do with the measures the potter must take to form a useful vessel!

3 Likewise, as we face the transitions ahead the inevitable changes the seasons of living always brings our pliability as clay in God's hands will determine the difficulty or ease of the creating process and the beauty of the vessel he forms of us and of our church. Sometimes the squeezing may be a little uncomfortable (especially for those of us who have become older clay!), but what better place to be than on the wheel set between the knees of our maker, being lovingly formed (or re-formed, as the case may be) into a beautiful creation that brings help or comfort or beauty to others? What better image for our church as we begin to make those faltering steps on the journey God has put before us? Friends, as we move ahead into inevitable times of change, re-visioning, and therefore, recommitment, let us determine to be faithful (not necessarily perfect) as is our responsibility in the divine-human relationship faithful in our seeking God through study and through prayer and through worshiping together, and then faithful in our submitting ourselves and our wills and our agendas to God; because remember even as the story of our church's wonderful new ministries and partnerships has demonstrated, God is ever working things out for good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Our sincere attempts to be faithful, faltering steps though they might be, we will no doubt one day find them to be the steps that paved the way to a wonderful conclusion to this chapter of our lives. Amen. "Can I not do with you, 0 house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, 0 house of Israel..." (Jeremiah 18:6) Pastor Stephanie CHRISTIAN ED CORNER CHILDREN'S SABBATH Here at Christ United Methodist Church we will celebrate The Children's Sabbath on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at the 10:15 AM worship service. The theme for this year is entitled: "Children of Promise: Closing the Opportunity Gaps". These gaps refer to gaps in poverty and a lack of access to high quality education. In our own country, the American child poverty rate is one of the highest among the industrialized nations. When we consider child poverty we must also consider that it creates gaps in the cognitive skills of the children. Child hunger can jeopardize children's health as well as their ability to learn. Child poverty, then, can fuel that intergenerational cycle of poverty. Here in Ohio we find that the infant mortality rate ranks 45 th in the nation which is 21% higher than the national average. We will join other United Methodist churches in this effort to live in the General Rules of our Church by strengthening all existing efforts for helping children and looking for new opportunities to help them. Here at Christ, the Christian Education Committee will partner with our United Methodist Women to CHRISTIAN EDUCATION sponsor a mission project during our Children's Sabbath celebration. We will ask for your support to purchase special infant sleep ware designed to promote safe sleep. As we pray, study and reflect as a community of faith, we can also pray that we can continue to be encouraged and commit to long term efforts to close as many opportunity gaps as possible. Peace, Dr. J

4 Everyone Is Invited to the Free United Methodist Women's Special Event Thursday, October 6, at 7 p.m. the United Methodist Women will be hosting "An Evening with Michele Murdock, author of Journey of Courage (about the life of Sister Dorothy Stang, who was killed in Brazil because of her work with the peasant farmers) and Sister Judi Clemens, who served in Brazil with Sister Dorothy". It's an opportunity to learn more about Brazil, environmental issues there and Michele Murdock's faith journey in writing the book. All are welcome -- men as well as women and students. The book A Journey of Courage is available in the church office for $10. It is also available from the main and branch locations of Rodman Public Library and the Copeland Oaks Library. While the event is free, reservations are required and may be made by calling the church office or by ing to umweventqmail.com.. For the residents of Copeland Oaks, please register at the front desk for a free bus ride. WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS FOR OCTOBER John Christian Mike Greiner Arnie Hirvela USHERS - Team #2 Jim Greiner Captain Charlie Manypenny Keith Noble Bill Sol COMMUNION STEWARDS October Susan Haddox November Patti Hirst December Ellen Sol & Betty-Jo Sutherin January Susan Haddox NORTH & WEST DOORS GREETERS 2 Connie/Larry Pyers 9 Karen/Mark Locke 16 Carolyn Miller/Zac and Sarah 23 Kathy/Gene Stroia 30 Nancy/Bill Prueter OCTOBER TELLERS 2 Julie Greiner/Marilyn Bower 9 Jan Essick/Nancy Prueter 16 Bill Prueter/Ruth Williams 23 Jim Greiner/Larry Pyers 30 Pat Helsel/Marilyn Ruff VISITATION MEMBERS 4 LaVerne Edwads, 3080 Ridgehill 11 Robert Hunter, 3001 S Union Ave 2 Susan Haddox 9 Will Kinser 16 Jamie Greiner 23 Pat Helsel 30 Ellen Sol LITURGISTS SANCTUARY GREETERS 2 Treva/Chuck Cline 9 Jean/Boyd Webster 16 Ellen/Bill Sol 23 OPEN 30 Amy Starkey WELCOME CENTER GREETERS 2 Carol/Frank Woolf 9 Cynthia Carlin/Charie Manypenny 16 Betty Thorpe/Dick Diser 23 Betty Sheetz/Susan Burden 30 Peg/Jirn Williams NOVEMBER TELLERS 6 Jill Greiner/Donna Essick 13 Mark Locke/Bruce Helsel 20 Julie Greiner/Marilyn Bower 27 Jan Essick/Nancy Prueter 18 June Luca, 2531 Pleasant Place, 25 Marilyn Horning, Nellabrook Ave. NE,

5 SCOUTS ANNUAL FALL POPCORN SALE: Boy Scouts of Troop 50 and Cub Scouts of Pack 50 are taking orders for theft annual Popcorn sale. The variety of specialty corn, Chocolate Covered, Carmel, Cheese, etc. is extensive, along with microwave packages, both buttered and butter light. Look for a Scout and place your order. The Scouts thank you for your support UNITED METHODIST WOMEN October Circle Meetings: Oct. 17th, Oct. 17th, 12:15 Lunch 1:00 Meeting 7:00 pm Oct. 18 th 7:00 pm Oct. 18 th 7:00 pm Unit Meeting: Dorcas Circle at Copeland Oaks M & M Circle at Betty Thorpe May Smyth Circle at Betty Jo Sutherin Susie Buckel Circle at church Oct. 6th : the meeting will take place in fellowship hall at 7:00 pm. The program for the evening is "an Evening with Michele Murdock and Judi Clemens". Oct. 24th 7:00 Executive UMW Board Meeting Church Women United will be meeting on Oct. 7 th at the Salvation Army at 1:00 pm. The program is by Shirley Griffin and is titled "MARY & MARTHA'S APRONS" RECYCLE!! Bring all your PAPER to the bin in the North parking lot. BRING: * Junk Mail * Newspapers * Copy Paper White or Color * Coupons, * Magazines / Catalogs * Brown paper bags * Flattened Cardboard * School Paper * Wrapping Paper LAITY SUNDAY AND FIFTY YEAR MEMBER RECOGNITION Please join in worship on Sunday, October 16 h. That Sunday will be Laity Sunday and as part of the worship Service we will recognize members who have 50 or more years of membership in Christ United Methodist Church (and in First Methodist Church too, prior to 1968). This tradition of 50 year member recognition began at C UMC in This year, two new 50 year members, who joined the Church in 1965, will be recognized: Mark Brandon Donna Messenheimer Essick Diane Smith Hisey Jay Marsh Pauline Ranft Smith Katie Winner-Weitzel Church History and Records Committee Oct. 8 th- Tusc. District Fall Meeting is from 9:30 am to 1pm at Gnadenhutton UMC. Panel discussion about Martern/Child Care in Ohio "Thrive" will accept Love Offering. Oct is the EOC Annual Celebration held at Menter UMC.

6 OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES 2 Brian and Joan Skidmore 12 Rodney and Carolyn Nichols 3 Doug and Amy Kirk 21 Larry and Connie Pyers 6 Jessica and Colin Richmond 24 Dolores and Richard Lapp 11 Bill and Phyllis Messenheimer 26 Lee and Paula Springer OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 3 Mary Aufrance 19 Rachel Collins 7 Joseph Richmond 21 Erin Stone 7 Jamie Greiner 22 Janet Fisher 8 Dorothy Rogers 25 Janice Stoll 9 Bill Prueter 28 Nancy Prueter 9 DeAnne Herald 29 Nancy Sandifer 10 Susan Haddox 29 Eric Shields 13 Pam Stonebraker 30 Martha Andregg 16 Jeremy Fisher 31 Boyd Webster STEWARDSHIP NEWS If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. On October 23, Christ United Methodist Church will begin the 2017 stewardship program theme, "Extravagant Generosity". This will be followed by two Stewardship Moments on Oct. 30, Nov. 6, and Commitment Sunday on Nov. 13, and a luncheon after the church service. You will soon be receiving a revised copy of the pamphlet, "Our Scope of Ministries". Stewardship has many facets for our resources; prayers, our monetary gifts, presence, service, and witness. Christ U.M.C.has many ministries which depend on our generosity in many ways. "Extravagant generosity means to graciously and responsibly place ourselves and our resources in service to God... Giving reflects the nature of God. Growing in the grace of giving is part of the Christian Journey of faith;a response Christian Disciples offer to God's call to make a difference in the world." (Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations) Good stewardship means that we invest in the people we love, spending our resources as well as our time to enrich our church. Ellen Sol Stewardship Chairperson

7 COOKING 5 ryt The Susie Buckel Circle will once again be conducting a series of free "Cooking for the Soul" classes this fall. This series of :lasses ja sche d uled for, consecutivetithrf,day s October 27 th, November 3rd, and 10th, 2016 at 5:30PM in Fellowship Hail and will focus on Crock Pot Cooking. Registration is limited to 1 women and their children Each woman will receive a FREE Crock Pot as part of the series, al-ond with all of the ingredients and supplies necessary to make the meals. Foe I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink I was a stranger and you invited me in. Matthew 24:35 In addition to these 3 classes, we will also be holding another Special "Cooking for the Soul" Cookie Celebration for all of the women and children that participated in the previous classes. This event is scheduled for Thursday, December 1 st, 2016 in Fellowship Hall and will consist of preparing various Christmas Cookie doughs for freezing and constructing edible Christmas gifts for our participants to take home. This will definitely be a fun way to re-connect with these women and children and begin our celebration of the Christmas Season with them. We will provide snacks, music, and children's activities. Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to get involved/support these events more information is forthcoming. Soon the Apron Tree will once again make its appearance in the Lounge. We are very excited to have the opportunity to continue this project. We hope that the "Cooking for the Soul" Classes truly exemplify faith, hope, and love in action, through education, service, and spiritual growth. Love in Christ, The Susie Circle FOR YOUR INFORMATION: Sunday, October 2 is World Communion Sunday, a churchwide Special Sunday of the United Methodist Church. World Communion Sunday gifts support scholarships for graduate national and international students, Ethnic Scholarships for national and international undergraduates studying within the United States and ethnic in-service training. Your decision to give next Sunday enables faithful students to change the world. Please check out the Youth Snack Supper Chart and mark where you can help support our Youth Program. THANK YOU!

8 *Sunday Worship & Program Opportunities 9:00 A.M. Sunday School for all ages 10:15 A.M. Worship Service 5:00 P.M. Youth Choirs 6:30 P.M. Youth Fellowship [ Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Fr.. l u i i',! I 0..,,......, 1!OetOb$ J 1 2 9a Sunday School 1015a Worship 5p CRC Visitation 3 6:30 pm Cub Scout Rain Gutter Regatta 4 12p Prayer Time/Chapel 5:30 Community Dinner 5 4 p Staff Mtg 5:30 Halleluia 6:3 Chan.Bells 7:3 Chan Vocal 6 7:00 pm UMW Evening with Michelle Murdock &Judi Clemens 7 1 pm Church Women United at the Salvation Army 8 9 *See Sunday Schedule 10 7p Den Mtg 7p Christian Ed. 7:30p Christian Outreach 11 12p Prayer Time/Chapel 5:30 Community Dinner 7 p SPRC 12 4p MusicMtg 5:30 Halleluia 6:3 Chan.Bells 7:3 Chan Vocal 13 6:30p Threads of Love *See Sunday Schedule Laity & 50 yr. 12 p Luncheon Sp CRC Visitation 17 12:15 Lunch 1p Dorcas Circle -Copeland Oaks 7p M&M Circle 7p Den Mtg 18 12p Prayer Time/Chapel 5:30 Community Dinner 7p May Smyth Cir. 7p Susie Buckel 19 1:30 Cong Care 4 p Music Mtg 5:30 Halleluia 6:30 Chan.Bells 7:30 Chan Vocal 20 UMW Basement Sale setup p Basement Sale p Basement Sale & Cleanup 23 *See Sunday Schedule 30 *See Sunday Schedule 5p CRC Visitation 24 ecot 5pm Peanut 7p UMW Exec. Board Mtg 7p Den Mtg Deadline for Popcorn Sales 31 ecot 5 pm Peanut Brittle v el,.,7 ).-i' ecot 12p Prayer Time/Chapel 5:30 Community Dinner 6:30p Trustees 7 p Worship 26 ecot 4 p Music Mtg 5:30 Halleluia 6:30 Chan.Bells 7:30 Chan Vocal 27 ecot 5:30 Cooking for the soul 28 ecot 29 OctoOer t BrOst Chitcer AzOarestes Month