The Rev. Mukondi Ramulondi 2013 Mission Partner from South Africa

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Barry Barker
6 years ago
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He will join us in worship on Sunday, September 29 and stay until Friday, October 25.

Ramulondi is currently serving at St Mungo's United Church, a congregation of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches.

He is also the Moderator Elect of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Mukondi's wife is a school teacher at a local Junior Secondary School.

1 Monthly Newsletter of Christ Presbyterian Church October 2013 Heard and Overheard Page 3 Christian Discipleship Page 4 Youth and Children News Page 6 The Rev. Mukondi Ramulondi 2013 Mission Partner from South Africa Christ Presbyterian Church, Toledo, is fortunate to be able to host The Rev. Mukondi Ramulondi as a Mission Partner from South Africa. He will join us in worship on Sunday, September 29 and stay until Friday, October 25. During his time with us he will preach, teach and join us for several conversations regarding the mission of the Presbyterian Church in the world. The Rev. Ramulondi is currently serving at St Mungo's United Church, a congregation of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches. He leads a community development project for his congregation in an informal settlement called Diepsloot which is north of Johannesburg. He is also the Moderator Elect of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Mukondi's wife is a school teacher at a local Junior Secondary School. They have a 23 year old son who is looking for employment. Their second born daughter is 19 years old and she is studying medicine at the University of Cape Town. Their last born daughter is 16 years old and in the 10 th grade at a Senior Secondary school. His current schedule: Preaching: Sunday, October 6 Sunday, October 20 World Communion Sunday 10:00 a.m. All three services 8:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Teaching: Sunday, September 29 7 p.m. "Insights and Faith from South Africa: Part I" Sunday, October 6 7 p.m. "Insights and Faith from South Africa: Part II" Wednesday, October 2 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 9 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 23 7 p.m. "Scripture Study with Rev. Ramulondi" "Scripture Study with Rev. Ramulondi" "Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches" The Rev. Ramulondi will be attending the 10 th Assembly of the World Council of Churches taking place in Busan, Republic of Korea, from October 30 to November 8, 2013.

2 Pastor s Desk Dear Friends, The activity around the church is in full force as we begin the fall. We have just celebrated the completion of our Habitat for Humanity home with a joyous house blessing at the remodeled home of April Woodward and her children. Our Quilting and Sewing Group made housewarming gifts of quilts one for each member of the family. Many thanks go to Bob Burnett for his organizational skills and everyone who contributed to the worthwhile endeavor. As the fall ramps up, children will have an opportunity to participate in a new program called Sunday Software. At 11:15 a.m. each Sunday, children who are not participating in the Children s Choir can go into Room 9 and learn the books of the Bible through the use of computer animation. This supervised computer choice should be a good addition to our successful Godly Play program and a good alternative for children attending our contemporary/praise service. October will be a time to focus on the insights and faith of our brothers and sisters in South Africa. We will be welcoming The Rev. Mukondi Ramulondi who will be joining our staff as a Mission Partner. His time with us is being coordinated through the Synod of the Covenant. He is currently serving on the pastoral staff of a local church in South Africa and will be the next moderator of the Uniting Presbyterian Church of South Africa. Mukondi will preach, teach, and spend time in conversation with us as we seek to gain wisdom from the experience of a South African pastor. Rachel and Tony Novakovic will be hosting Mukondi in their home. We can celebrate the fact that our Renewing Our Vision funds are being used to complete some much needed structural and aesthetic upgrades to our church. The jack hammers have been in full force as a new drainage system has been installed in the basement to resolve our water problems. The stained glass windows in the Sanctuary Narthex and the Chapel are being reconditioned so that they can be restored to their former structural integrity. We can also celebrate the fact that with Renewing Our Vision funds we have been able to hire Kelsey Mugler, a recent BGSU graduate,to help us with our communication needs. She has been helping to coordinate our new pictorial directory, webpage, and communication. Fortunately, she has had much to communicate as we begin the fall with new classes, support groups, and mission opportunities. Blessings, Worship Schedule First Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. All services combined in the Sanctuary Our children will benefit from Godly Play and the Tween We Believe Program at 10:00 a.m. All Other Sundays 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Traditional Worship in the Chapel 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 noon Contemporary/Praise Worship in Hansen Hall We will be holding education programs for children at 10:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. and a special Music Performance/Education program will be offered at 11:15 a.m. for children. Pictorial Directory Additional Date Have you had your pictorial directory picture taken yet? An additional date of Friday, November 1 has been added. Please sign up on-line at and follow the link on the front page, or sign up on Sunday morning on the sign up sheet or contact Tracy Dewey in the church office at to set up an appointment. Please contact Tracy in early October if you are unable to have a photo taken at this time as we have another area church with limited availability. Each family that gets their photo taken will receive a free 8 x 10 picture. Other photo sizes and packages are available for purchase including Christmas Cards. You may purchase the CD of your photos to use as you wish with a minimum purchase of other photos. 2 Tom Schwartz

3 Heard and Overheard (Congregation news compiled by Barb Ball) Hello, we re back after my long absence, and I hope to bring you up to date on the happenings in the lives of our church community. Way back in February, Jim and Nena Wagner spent ten days on a tour of southwestern Africa starting in Kenya. Their tour group traveled to Nairobi where they stayed in tent camps while on a safari through three different game preserves. (Staying in a tent may sound a bit primitive, but Nena assured me that that was only on the exterior. The inside was as opulent as any five star hotel!) The group viewed the African landscape and wildlife from the safe confines of a safari vehicle that allowed them to take photos while standing up. Ten, of the fifty or sixty, African photos Jim took are currently on display at Secor Park in the Nature Photo Gallery. At the end of June, Barbara and Richard Brownlee were on their way for an eight week tour of popular American vacation locations including Yellowstone National Park; Grand Teton Mountains; Seattle, Washington; Salt Lake City, Utah; and the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon. They have many special memories from each of these areas. From: Yellowstone, Richard s photo of a Grizzly (?) bear, shot from 200 to 300 feet away; climbing in the Grand Tetons; camping on Hayden Island in the Columbia River and having dinner every night with their son-in-law Joe Sharp who is in the Portland area on a contract work project: and maybe best of all, being with family while in Seattle, meeting for the first time their eight week old granddaughter, Madison Grace Brownlee. Madison is the daughter of Michael and Loretta Brownlee and sister of five years old, Nicholas. They also valued the many really nice people they met along the way. Speaking of new babies, Ken and Carlene McCartney are proud to welcome a new grandson into their family. Camden Andrew McCartney was born on August 15, 2013 to Craig and Suzie McCartney. Ken and Carlene visited him for the first time in Canfield, Ohio August 30 and 31. Congratulations grandparents! Grandchildren and families continue to make the news. The Bruce and Nanci Poling family attended two functions of note this summer. The first in June was a trip to Niagara Falls with the families of their daughter Dev and son Chris. The group which included their five grandchildren enjoyed visiting both the Canadian and American Falls, a ride up to the falls on the Maid of the Mist and under the falls to the Cave of the wind. The second reunion took place in July and included aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and grandparents for the baptism of Bruce and Nanci s twin granddaughters, Molly and Sophie. The girls were baptized at the Maumee Methodist Church, the church home of her paternal grandmother. Last, but certainly not least, friends and families were in attendance in the CPC Chapel on Saturday September 21, 2013 for the wedding of Betsy Gouvernayre and Tim Pryor. Betsy s friend Lois Kovanda served as her Matron of Honor and Timothy D. Pryor was the best man for his father. The Rev. Kris Schondelmeyer officiated. I would like to thank the contributors for this issue of the Beacon. Your news items would be appreciated, too. Older items are news worthy, also, in view of my long absence. News items can be sent to Barb Ball. Prime Time Luncheon A monthly educational ministry opportunity for all vibrant older adults. Participants enjoy lunch together, share in the joy of fellowship, and engage in creative and intriguing educational programs. Wednesday, October 2 The next luncheon will be Wednesday, October 2 at 12:00 p.m. in Scott Hall. The program will be A Potpourri of Organ Music. Our own Mark Mathias, Director of Music Ministry/Organist will share his expertise in knowledge and talent to provide a variety of hymn and chorale settings for the organ, including some old favorites. We ll also sing a few favorite hymns!! Everyone is invited to come and share in lunch, fellowship, and the enjoyment of organ music! To reserve a seat, please contact Tracy Dewey in the church office at or tracy@cpctoledo.org. Reservations would be appreciated each month by 3:00 p.m. on the Mondays prior to Prime Time. Thank you! Wednesday, November 6 Officer Kathleen Mohr, Toledo Police Community Services Officer, will be with us on November 6, at Noon, to bring us a program on Senior Safety and Crime Prevention Tips. You are welcome to come and learn what services are provided by the Toledo Police and how best to protect yourselves and your property. 3

4 Sermon Talks Sermon Talks is a Bible study opportunity where participants read the passage for the upcoming week s sermon and then dialogue about what the passage says to them.

4 4 Sermon Talks Sermon Talks is a Bible study opportunity where participants read the passage for the upcoming week s sermon and then dialogue about what the passage says to them. The group will meet each Tuesday morning from 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. at the church. Please contact Pastor Kris if you are interested in attending. All are welcome!!! Journey 101: Knowing God Journey 101: Knowing God, is part of a three-part basic faith small group series that helps us to answer essential questions as it guides participants on the journey of growing as a Christian. The goal? Becoming a deeply committed follower of Jesus Christ. The small group is grounded in the core traits of a deeply committed Christian--traits that paint a picture of what it looks like to follow Jesus Christ with increasing passion and dedication. Whether a longtime church-goer or a new Christian, this small group is for you. Journey 101 Small Groups will be offered this fall at the falling times: Time Christian Discipleship Sunday Mornings at 10:00am Sunday Mornings at 11:15am Sunday Evenings at 6:00pm Thursday Mornings at 9:00am Thursday Evenings at 7:00pm Fall Workday Saturday, October 12 Led by TBA TBA Pastor Tom Pastor Kris Pastor Kris This year everyone is invited to help us cleanup our church facility. We will begin at 9:00 a.m. and work until 12:00 noon. We need many hands and able (and not so able) bodies to help us clean windows and pews, spread bark mulch in flower beds and in the new playground, prepare the garden, assist with minor carpentry, and other general cleaning. This is a great way to spend time with some wonderful church members and also beautify our space. Sign up to let us know that you will be coming! We need you!!! Mission Toledo Area CROP Hunger Walk Sunday, October 13 at 3:00 p.m. CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local volunteers to raise funds to end hunger. This year s Toledo Area CROP Hunger Walk planning committee hosts two of our very own. Pastor Kris has been actively involved in helping to organize this wonderful event, and 13abc Chief Meteorologist, Jay Berschback, is the Honorary Chair. Children, youth and adults are invited to participate in this 2 mile walk on the University/ Parks Trail to take a stand against hunger and poverty locally and beyond. Twenty five percent of the money you raise through the CROP Hunger Walk stays in Toledo and goes to the Feed Your NEIGHBOR program of Toledo Area Ministries. Through Pastor Kris involvement and the wonderful support of 13abc Chief Meteorologist, Jay Berschback, CPC s influence has been instrumental. Now we need your help and your commitment to be a part of the CPC CROP Hunger Walk Team. Whether you are a young parent with a baby and a stroller or a seasoned saint, we encourage all CPC members to get involved in this local mission opportunity. Please speak with Pastor Kris if you are interested in being a part of CPC s CROP Hunger Walk Team. Updated s s from CPC are looking more interesting! We are using Constant Contact to keep you updated and informed on events at Christ Presbyterian. Hopefully, you have opened the s and found them interesting, informative and timely. Please keep us updated with your current so that we can best communicate with you! Simply write your on the attendance sheet/card or or call Tracy in the church office. Tracy may be reached at or tracy@cpctoledo.org

5 CPC by the Numbers # of side dishes contributed by you to the Celebration Sunday picnic. Delicious and thanks! # of builders from CPC who worked 300 hours to help April Woodward and her family have a new home in the Toledo area south of Dorr Street. Many thanks to the congregation for their time in construction, preparing meals, welcoming volunteers and their financial support. The Woodward Family 635 Carver Blvd. 35 # of photos taken of members, their families and staff for the new CPC pictorial directory. An additional date of Friday, November 1 is now available for photos. Grief Worship and Support Group This workshop/support group is designed to provide a safe and confidential environment in which people who have lost a loves one can come as they are and join with others in exploring some of the complexities of the grief experience. Tools for living with grief in ways that promote spiritual and emotional wholeness will be provided. The group will meet on the following Fridays from 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.: October 11, October 18, October 25 and November 1. Led by The Rev. Cheryl Nutting; Parish Associate and Hospice Chaplain. The next Deborah Circle meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 9 at 12:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join us. We will be meeting at Christ Presbyterian Church. Mom s Small Group The next meeting of the Mom s Small Group at Christ Presbyterian Church will be Wednesday, October 16 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the church. We will meet in room 6 of the Classroom area so that any preschool children can play as we discuss. If you haven t been able to join us for a while or ever, and just enjoy fellowship with other moms, please come. We hope to see you! Deborah Circle Please call us with any questions. Kate Backoff and Allison Johnson We Need Your Help! There is a tremendous need for food and toiletries for the Feed Your Neighbor Program. Each Sunday, there will be a specific item listed in the bulletin for those wishing to participate. There will be marked boxes on carts in the Narthex and near the Hansen Hall doors. October 6 Cereal October % juice bottled or single-serving size October 20 Canned fruit October 27 Packaged dinners Thank You A special thank you to anyone and everyone who participated in Project Dignity s uniform project. If you cut out patterns or made skirts or jumpers or contributed financially, you have made a difference. As the Director of Project Dignity, I thank you on behalf of all the families who received one of those skirts or jumpers. In the past month, we have distributed uniforms to more than 250 families in the Toledo area. You were a part of that and we are most grateful! Thank you for your time, your talents and your kindness. A child is able to go to school thanks to all your generosity. God bless you! Respectfully, Jill Roman, Direcor of Project Dignity 5

6 Children and Family News Erie Orchard and Cider Mill Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 27, Children and Family Ministry are teaming up with the Youth group for a fun evening at Eric Orchard and Cider Mill. We will meet at the Orchard at 4:30 p.m. for hayrides, corn maze and a bonfire for cooking hot dogs and roasting marshmallows. Come in your Halloween costumes for a fun evening of fellowship and of course yummy donuts and cider. Sunday Morning Children s Schedule Godly Play for 3 years old to 3 rd grade Children age 3 through 3rd grade may accompany their parents to the worship service. Children will then be dismissed from worship about 15 minutes later with Monica Mancy for Godly Play. Children can be picked up after the service in their designated classrooms in the children s wing. Godly Play at the 10:00 a.m. service Age 3-3 rd grade Room 5 Bible Discovery for 4 th grade and 5 th grade Chris Gaynor and Kim Long will be teaching We Believe for children in grades 4 th and 5 th. The children will spend the one year learning and experiencing the New Testament and another year on the Old Testament. After completing the two years the children will be presented with their own Bible. The children will be dismissed during the 10:00 a.m. service to the Tween room. We Believe at the 10:00 a.m. service 4 th -5 th grades Tween Room Software Sunday Children age 3 through 5 th grade will learn Bible Basics, Books of the Bible, and How the Bible Came to Be through video-game adventures. Software Sunday Room 9 Children s Choir Children s Choir will meet every Sunday to rehearse in the choir room from 11:15 a.m. 11:45 a.m. The children will sing on Sunday at the 10:00 a.m. service. Youth Ministry Confirmation for 6 th 9 th Grade Students This past school year the Youth Ministry Team rolled out a new 3 year Confirmation program for 6th - 8th grade students who are interested in becoming full members of the congregation. Because of the way this program is designed, this year s 9th grade students will be encouraged to participate for one more year. Confirmation is typically a journey that each young person in the church takes at a time when they claim their faith for themselves. This is a very special and sacred time in a young person s life, and we are excited to walk with them. Confirmation Classes for 6th 9th graders meet weekly on Sunday mornings during the 10:00am worship service (except during First Sunday worship services where they will worship with their families). To find out more about our Confirmation program, please contact Pastor Kris: kris@cpctoledo.org Youth Group on Sundays 6 th 12 th grade youth are invited to join in faith, fun, and fellowship on Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. We will meet for dinner, faith-based lessons and games, and mission. Periodically we will meet at other times for mission and fellowship based special events. If you are interested in being a part of our regular Sunday evening Youth Group, please contact Pastor Kris: kris@cpctoledo. org Schedule for October October 6 11:30 a.m. 8:30 p.m. HalloWeekends at Cedar Point October 13 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Toledo Area CROP Hunger Walk at UT Rocket Hall October 20 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Lessons of Faith from South Africa October 27 4:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. CPC Fall Family Festival at Erie Orchards (Halloween Costumes Encouraged) 6

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8 Christ Presbyterian Church Non-Profit Org W. Sylvania Avenue U.S. Postage Paid Toledo, Ohio Toledo, Ohio Phone: Permit No. 264 Fax: Address Service Requested Dated Material - Please Deliver by 9/28/13 CPC is on facebook! Come find us.

The Johnny Knorr Orchestra Returns to CPC on June 2

Monthly Newsletter of Christ Presbyterian Church May 2013 Prime Time Luncheon Page 3 The Johnny Knorr Orchestra Returns to CPC on June 2 New Members Page 3 Children and Family News Page 6 Jerry Knorr The