UBBC News. Monthly Newsletter from University Baptist & Brethren Church

Transcription

1 M A Y UBBC News Monthly Newsletter from University Baptist & Brethren Church Inside this issue: One Great Hour of Sharing Offering May 13, 2018 Tom Cook, Board of Missions Both of our denominations participate in the One Great Hour of Sharing. This special collection reaches those near and far, sometimes changing the life of someone in distress in our own community and other times impacting the lives of those we will never meet but who are in need of our compassion. It s not the size of the gift that matters; it s that we share what we can. This special offering supports the following activities: American Baptist disaster relief, development projects, and refugee ministries. Brethren s Global Mission and Service, Congregational Life Ministries, Brethren Disaster Ministries, Brethren Volunteer Service, work camps, the Global Food Initiative, and others. The purpose of OGHS has remained constant since its inception over 60 years ago: to collect funds to assist those in need. Today, projects are underway in more than 100 countries, including the United States and Canada. From the 1990s to the early 2000s, receipts have exceeded $20 million annually. While specific allocations differ in each denomination, most use their One Great Hour of Sharing funds to make possible disaster relief, refugee assistance, and development aid. Contributions to OGHS make a difference in the lives of real people. Leaders of impacted communities identify the needs of their people. Priorities for short, medium and long-term solutions are then made for the purpose of improving the quality of life for individuals and the communities. Around the world, OGHS continues to respond to needs equally critical as when it was first created. Page 2: Pastor s Page Page 3: Mission of the Month Page 4: Christian Education Campfire Kids Graduates Middle PA District Page 5: UBBC News Bike Month Summer Music Worship Committee Page 6: Denominational News Young Adult Conference Summer Conference Page 7: Financial Update

2 Pastor s Page From time to time I ve described UBBC as a post-denominational congregation. Let me explain. We re living in times when denominational affiliation has become less important to Christians in general. I often say that at UBBC we have more former Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Methodist members and friends than we have American Baptist and Church of the Brethren folks. The people who come to UBBC come because of our core values, the ways we worship and live out our faith, NOT because of our denominational affiliations. So that raises the question of the importance of denominations. Does our dual affiliation with the American Baptist Churches USA and the Church of the Brethren matter? And if so, why? I d have to say yes and no. Yes, it matters because I think people become a part of UBBC community of faith because of the character of the congregation. And that character is largely shaped by our Baptist and Brethren heritage. Both denominations espouse the priesthood of all believers, the idea that all of us are ministers and are responsible for the ministry and mission of the church. The Baptists practice soul freedom and the Brethren, no force in religion, both of which allow for a wide range of belief and responsibility for one s life of faith. Both denominations are congregationally based and encourage walking the talk when it comes to practicing your faith. Another reason why denominations matter is that congregations working together 5000 Baptist and 1000 Brethren can do so much more. When I think of our December special offering for disaster relief in Puerto Rico I am amazed on many fronts! First, we had a goal of $2500 and received $ , more than three times our goal! Second, these funds have already been put to good use initially providing money for food and water on the island; and sending or delivering such supplies as water filters, solar lights, solar chargers, tarps, propane tanks and burners for cooking. Now in the second phase of response both denominations are coordinating rebuilding efforts with congregations. Denominational staff with expertise in disaster relief help congregations like ours be effective partners with our sisters and brothers in Puerto Rico! We ll be hearing more about the need for skilled and unskilled volunteers to help in the rebuilding. So yes, denominations still matter! Yet, in some ways they don t. UBBC has felt the tension with both denominations regarding our Welcome Statement. Neither the Baptists nor the Brethren have adopted inclusive positions about the LGBTQ community. For a time UBBC was disfellowshipped from the American Baptists and we still functioned and carried out our ministry and mission. In the Church of the Brethren the tension continues to be around marriage. Officially, same sex marriages are prohibited however, here at UBBC they are celebrated! So we part ways with both of our denominations official positions because we believe God has called us to do so. In my mind that s where denominations don t matter, except as we try to make an impact for justice within them. When it comes to denominations I guess I m speaking out of both sides of my mouth. They do and they don t matter. What do you think? Bonnie Church of the Brethren Continuing the work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together. 2

3 Mission of the Month Interfaith Human Services Sylvia Neely, Board of Missions This year Interfaith Human Services celebrates its 50th anniversary of providing help to those in need in Centre County. And UBBC members were there at the start. At an anniversary celebration at Foxdale Village on April 12, Dot Wiggins was honored as one of the founders of the organization. Mary Lou Bennett provided a recollection of the origins of the group. She was then a member of Diakonia (United Presbyterian), which along with University Baptist, Park Forest United Methodist, and Sycamore Community decided to pool their resources to better serve their neighbors. From that beginning, the organization has grown to include 32 congregations. First called Christian Mission, it became Interfaith Mission, and then finally Interfaith Human Services in Over the years its name has changed, but the mission to help those in need (no matter what their religious affiliation) has remained constant. One of the strengths of IHS is that, with the steady support of the congregations that make up the organization, it can adjust quickly to address problems as they arise. Several years ago, when some mobile home parks in State College closed and the residents needed to find new housing quickly, IHS was able to lead a fundraising initiative to provide money for their transition. IHS manages the Centre County Fuel Bank that provides emergency fuel assistance in the winter. When funds ran short one year, IHS in cooperation with Interfaith Power & Light began offering classes that taught people how to reduce their energy use and prepare for the financial demands of winter. These classes are required in order to receive assistance. One of the special services offered by IHS is helping individuals manage their finances. Many clients who receive government aid in the form of disability or social security payments find it difficult to manage their money. IHS offers money management classes and also serves as a representative payee for clients. As representative payee, IHS receives the pension or other benefit and makes sure that all necessary household expenses (such as rent and utilities) are paid and that the resources will last to the end of the month. Helping people with financial management frees them from dependence on charity and also helps charitable dollars go farther. One of the most visible and longlasting programs is the Free Furniture and Appliance Recycling Program. The IHS truck picks up donated furniture and dispenses the items to qualified individuals from a warehouse in the Nittany Mall. In the 50 years since its founding, society and institutions have evolved, and so has Interfaith Human Services. While continuing to provide emergency financial assistance to needy families as it did from the beginning, the role of IHS today includes helping them navigate an increasingly complex network of benefits and regulations so that they can take advantage of all the aid that is available to them. From a handful of volunteers, it has grown into an organization with a professional staff of three full-time and four part-time employees who cooperate closely with government agencies and charitable groups that often refer their clients to IHS for assistance. UBBC supports IHS through a yearly contribution, by including IHS in the Alternative Christmas Fair, and by ringing bells during the Wishing Well campaign. Whatever new and unexpected challenges arise in the next fifty years, Interfaith Human Services will remain committed to responding to the changing needs of the people of Centre County, just as it has in the past. In order to do that, the continued support of its member congregations and the community is essential. Website: 3

4 Christian Education Karen Moser, Director of Christian Ed Campfire Kids Events Group Activities for all generations Mount Nittany Hike - Saturday, May 19, :00 p.m. We will meet at the parking area, hike a 2-hour loop that s about 2.5 miles and includes two lookouts. Please bring water bottle, snacks, and wear shoes for hiking. Fun at Diamond Valley Lodge Saturday, June 15, Hosted by the Dreyer Family. Camping & Canoeing in Cook Forest State Park September More details will be posted soon. These events are open to all. For more information or to sign up for an event, please contact Karen Moser at karen@ubbcwelcome.org. High School and College Graduates We will be recognizing high school and college graduates from our congregation on Sunday, May 20 th during Worship. Please contact Karen Moser with names of college graduates at karen@ubbcwelcome.org May Adult Forums May 6th Reformations and Radicals Kim Hunziker will share tales of her travels to Germany, Italy and the southern US with her RE/Formation Travel Seminar (for seminary). The course was designed to explore the impact of both the reformations of 500 years ago spurned by the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. s life and work 50+ years ago was another sort of reformation of church and culture. May 13 th Creating Worship Centers Denny Wolnick May 20 th The Facility Study Committee will update about the feasibility study. May 27 th Memorial Day Weekend No Adult Forum Middle PA District Camp Blue Diamond ( June 1, 2018 Meet Joe Murgo, Chief Meteorologist for WTAJ. August 14, 2018 Brethren Open Tournament 2018 at Iron Masters in Roaring Spring. August 17-19, 2018 Family Camp For more information about the above events, please contact Camp Blue Diamond at (814) or campbluediamond@verizon.net. 4

5 UBBC News May is Bike Everywhere Month After the long winter, it s time to dust off your bike and consider using your bike for transportation to school, work, and worship. Biking is fun, it is healthy, is green, and saves money. State College has many bike paths for public use. For a listing of bike path maps, check out: Summer Music Chris Kiver, Director of Music As the Sanctuary Choir and children s music groups enjoy a well deserved break from their regular musical offerings during worship, I extend a warm invitation to all members of the congregation to consider sharing their musical talents during the summer, from June 3 rd to September 2 nd. We welcome all ages and stages, and you can offer one piece or as many as three. If you have ideas of musicians you would like us to invite who are not congregation members, do not hesitate to let me know. Interested? Have questions? Contact Chris Kiver at caqk272psu.edu or Worship Committee At Work The Worship Committee meets regularly to plan worship, choose themes for Advent and Lent, plan for special services like Taizé, discuss worship décor and environment, and review our worship life. The Committee also serves as a sounding board to receive and process affirmations and concerns about worship at UBBC. As plans for summer begin, the Worship Committee welcomes your feedback. Members are: Mary Alice Burroughs, Casey Hovick, Ron Gebhardtsbauer, Ann Graves, Dennis Wolnick, Leona Foore, Chris Kiver, and Bonnie Kline Smeltzer 5

6 Denominational News Young Adult Conference 2018 Teach with your life, Timothy 4:11-16 (The Message) May 25-27, 2018 Camp Brethren Woods near Keezletown, VA. Registration ($130) includes food, lodging and programming. Visit for more information or to register. Summer Conference July 2-7, 2018 Keuka College Keuka Park, NY Registration is now open! This annual conference is for everyone who longs for the spirituality, inspiration, skills, knowledge, and community to support a life of peace rooted in justice. Peacemakers from throughout the world will come together for a week of inspiration and training that will empower our personal and corporate work for justice. The daily themes are as follows: Monday Unity vs. Uniformity Tuesday No limits, no boundaries, no one left out Wednesday Decolonizing the Americas Thursday I m coming out Friday Lets go back to the water Saturday What you gonna do when you get out of jail If you are interested in creating a change, visit to find out more information or to register. Registrations must be completed no later than Friday, June 8 th to guarantee your lodging and meals. All payments must be in by June 22 nd. 6

7 Financial Update UBBC Treasurer s Quarterly Report - As of March 31, 2018 Carl Nagy, Treasurer Category Annual Budget Actual Income % of Budget TOTAL INCOME $ 385, $ 100, % EXPENSES Annual Budget Actual Expenses % of Budget Christian Education $ 38, $ 8, % Deacons (does not include Deacons Fund) Church Home (Maintenance, utilities, cleaning, ins.) $ 1, $ 0 0% $ 75, $ 20, % Pastoral Ministry $ 123, $ 25, % Music $ 40, $ 9, % Congregational Ministries (Secretary, office expenses, accountant) $ 50, $ 9, % Missions $ 44, $ 11, % Miscellaneous Obligations (UBBC employee tax obligations) $ 7, $ 1, % Outreach Properties $ 22, $ 5, % TOTAL EXPENSES $ 404, $ 91, % NET LOSS / INCOME ( $ 19,025.40) $ 8, % As of March 31 st, we are three months or 25% through the year. Strictly looking at the numbers for the first quarter, our results are good. Income came in at 1% over expectations and expenses were 2.4% less than budgeted. Our faith-based budget calls for a ($19,025.40) loss for the year. Therefore, we would expect a loss as of March 31 st to be in the neighborhood of ($4,756). The good news is that instead of a loss, we have a net income of $8, Just a reminder when we look at our financial statements on a monthly or quarterly basis: There can be many ups and downs in income and in expenses. For example, a very frigid winter can spike our heating bills and summer vacations can lower our income. As we get further into the year, these quarterly reports carry more weight. So when we look at these numbers, we need to be mindful of the wide variations. 7

8 University Baptist & Brethren Church 411 S. Burrowes St. State College, PA Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID State College, PA Permit No. 121 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED May 2018 Newsletter Inside! Our Mission Woven Together in love, We seek like Jesus To serve God s world Justly, Simply, Compassionately Believing that God s unbounded love and grace are offered to all and meant to be shared and celebrated by all, we embrace persons of every age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnic and religious background, and economic means as vital and integral members of God s family. We welcome EVERYONE to participate in all aspects of the worship, membership and life of our church. UBBC Staff: Bonnie Kline Smeltzer, Pastor Karen Duclos Moser, Director of Christian Ed Christopher Kiver, Director of Music Phone: (814) office@ubbcwelcome.org Phil Jones, Property Manager Leona Foore, Organist Alysia Hockenberry, Administrative Assistant