Session Approves New Statement on Financial Stewardship. Open Door

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1 Volume 36, Issue 5 May, 2012 Session Approves New Statement on Financial Stewardship AS A RESULT of a recent workshop on the theological and scriptural basis for financial stewardship, LPC s Session resolved to develop a statement re-affirming our understanding of Christ s call to be responsible and generous stewards of one s personal financial resources and the church s financial resources. The following statement was developed by a task force including Subhana Cathy Graf, Claudia Meyke, Bob Paraska, and Jim Butler (ex officio), and reviewed, edited, and approved by the Session on April 18, Open Door Hope Friendship Service Inside this issue: Message from the Pastor 2 Pentecost Offering: Phoenix Project 3 Good Company Concert 3 New Groups Forming 4 Fellowship/Personals 5 I n the beginning, GOD In the beginning GOD created (Genesis 1:1). GOD is creator, provider and owner of all that is, of all that we have, of all that we are. What we call ours, is really GOD S. Everything is given us in trust to carry out GOD S plan of love for the whole of creation. The earth is the Lord s and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1). And GOD so loved that GOD gave us the most precious gift, Jesus Christ. Our natural response to GOD S amazing love and generosity is joy. Our hearts expand with love and thanksgiving. Our joyful generosity flows out of our response to GOD S wondrous generosity and love. In Biblical times, God s people dedicated their first fruits to God in gratitude and acknowledgement that they were receiving God s bountiful harvest. They trusted that God would provide for them as they used the remainder wisely for their own needs. Can we in our time do any less? Jesus told us in parables (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 16:1-13) about the owner of the house entrusting resources to his stewards. The stewards do not own the resources, but are charged with managing them well for the owner. As brothers and sisters in Christ we are stewards and trust God to continue to love and take care of us as we manage the bounty God has provided us. The beautiful, sacred space in which we worship and are equipped to serve, where we listen and learn, sing and play, rejoice and give thanks, is SEE STEWARDSHIP 2 Coming in June: Sunday, June 17 Father s Day Brunch follows worship Saturday, June 30 General Assembly begins, Pittsburgh, PA

2 A Message from the Pastor The Rev. Dr. James C. Butler I don t think I have ever been more impressed by a church Session than I am with ours right now. Following a day-long workshop on stewardship and church budget development back in early March (at which every member was present!), the Session prayerfully discussed the what do we do next? question. At the next regular meeting, we had a very honest, candid, and passionate discussion about what generosity to the church should look like particularly among its elected leaders. The Session resolved to develop a clear and concise statement about generous financial stewardship based on solid Reformed theology and biblical interpretation that would inspire and guide our giving and oversight of the church s financial resources (see the front page of this newsletter). What impressed me most was LPC has some of the finest and most faithful lay leaders I have ever known. that the entire Session put their money where their mouth is! All of us committed to increasing the remainder of our 2012 pledges by 10% so that we can achieve a balanced budget at year end. The hope of course, is that our joyous and hopeful extra commitment will inspire all of you to increase your giving as you are able and as God has blessed you. I have always said that LPC has some of the finest and most faithful lay leaders I have ever known. This proves it. Eastertide blessings of joy, peace, and freedom to each and every member of this community of faith. Stewardship (Continued from page 1) God s house, not ours. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are the church, the hands of Christ in the world, a community of faith: proclaiming, nurturing, celebrating, doing justice and loving kindness. We have been and are a generous congregation. We inherited the vision and mission and generosity of those who went before us and we act in trust for those who come after us. Appropriate and responsible use of LPC s endowment has been a sacred trust taken very seriously over the years. Responsible stewardship dictates that an endowment be used as a cushion and an accelerant for special projects and a minor supplement to the regular budget. Equipped with a better understanding of the theological basis of stewardship, the Session of LPC was inspired to articulate our understanding of: God s ownership, love and generosity; who we are as people of faith, as God s church, as inheritors, recipients and stewards; the appropriate and responsible stewardship of our endowment and budget. Therefore in our first response as leaders of the church, the members of Session committed to: immediately increasing our current regular giving by 10%, as God provides and we are able; increasing our gifts in an attitude of joy, thanksgiving and trust; making stewardship a more central focus for the congregation in all areas of our lives. Stay tuned. More to come. These are exciting times. Thanks be to God. Amen. APRIL Session Highlights Heard reports from LPC s commissioners to the March Presbytery meeting Received letter from the Avon Lake Church s Personnel Committee honoring Brian Case for his assistance with a staff search committee Approved Statement on Stewardship and Church Finances (see front page) Authorized payment for repairs to roof and masonry caused by lightning strike Prayed for guidance and blessing of our ministry and for members seeking healing Page 2 OPEN DOOR

3 Pentecost Offering A Presbyterian church in a storefront in Lakewood? Absolutely! The Phoenix Project was officially adopted by the Presbytery of the Western Reserve in 2008 as a new church development. Since that time a small congregation has grown. They meet in a storefront at Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. Pastor Meredith White- Zeager originally reached out to the community through informal meetings in coffeehouses and restaurants. They now worship every Sunday at 5:00 p.m., share a Bible study at noon, and open their door throughout the week. There are no stained glass windows or organs. Instead, there are old couches and chairs but there is a strong feeling that God is present and at work. Recently they began attracting young people who need a safe place to gather away from school. Phoenix offers a drop-in center and some adults to help. Thanks to the efforts of some of the youth, a group which calls itself Freak Flag has formed. They held their first meeting in December and continue to meet monthly. Adults offer some instruction in life skills and pastoral counseling is available. They also share some refurbished computers and lots of music. In March they held their first fundraising event to support their efforts and raised an impressive $300. The Phoenix Project has a five-part mission statement: Participating in what God is doing in the world, celebrating the gifts we ve been given, recognizing the needs of our community, responding with our whole selves, and empowering others to do the same. According to the pastor, they are less about telling someone how to encounter God and more about empowering people and allowing them to recognize the already present experience of God in their lives. The annual Pentecost offering is designated to meet the needs of children at risk, youth, and young adults. Since 1998, Presbyterians of all ages have raised over $8 million for these ministries that benefit the younger members of God s family. One of the unique things about this offering is that 40% of it is kept by the local congregation for use on behalf of children at risk. The rest is divided to support General Assembly ministries with youth (25%), to support Young Adult volunteer opportunities (25%), and to support General Assembly child advocacy ministries (10%). Through gifts to the Pentecost Offering, we act to make tangible, positive changes in our community, our church, and our world. This year the Phoenix Project youth group will receive the 40% of our offering designated to stay in the community. Both the youth group and the church itself operate on the proverbial shoestring so our gift will make significant impact. You will have a chance to hear from Reverend White-Zeager during a Minute for Mission later in May. An envelope for your use is included with this mailing and more will be available in the pew racks. Matthew 18:20 reminds us that where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Certainly that is true of the youth of the Phoenix Project. Good Company: A Vocal Ensemble, Karen Weaver, Director, will present a program of choral works entitled Dare to Dream on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. at Lakewood Presbyterian Church. The 25-voice mixed ensemble is featuring works by Eric Whitacre, David Conte, and Lili Boulanger as well as works by local composers Jennifer Scolnick, Carlos Castells-Hogan and Jan C. Snow. Claire Black is pianist. There is no admission charge for the concert, but a free-will offering will be taken. A reception will follow in the Atrium. Plan to attend this choral event and invite your friends and family to join you! Visit for more information. VOLUME 36, ISSUE 5 Page 3

4 New Groups Forming at LPC! The Gatherers Are you in the 20-something to 50-something age group? Are you interested in getting to know other LPC families, individuals, and couples better at LPC? Then come join our new group called The Gatherers. We meet once a month for activities and you can bring your children or not! We have a picnic coming up on Sunday, June 3, at Bain Park in Fairview Park. We also have a May event in the planning stages so watch the weekly Sunday bulletin for more information. Registration for Fall Is Underway! Lakewood Presbyterian Church Nursery School (LPCNS) is a licensed, nonprofit, nondenominational preschool. They offer a quality preschool program designed to stimulate social, physical, and mental development in an open, friendly atmosphere. Library Adds Books for All Ages! Nonfiction for adults: 3:16: The Numbers of Hope A 26-word parade of hope beginning with God, ending with life, and urging us to do the same. Brief enough to write on a napkin or memorize in a moment, yet solid enough to weather 2,000 years of storms and questions. For the children: Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin with Me (includes 12-song CD) The lyrics to this cherished song have been beautifully interpreted by Caldecott Medal artist David Diaz. The Tallest of Smalls A rhyming story about how Jesus can lift up even those who feel small and worthless. I Can Be Happy Because God Blesses Me Introduce your child to one of the best-loved messages in the Bible. This book gently presents the message of the Beatitudes using familiar childhood experiences. Page 4 Adult Kickball New Summer Adult Kickball League Forming at LPC! We would like to start a kickball league at LPC but need to know if there is enough interest in forming a league. Games would be played on Thursday or Friday evenings at 6:15 or 7:15 in the Cleveland Metroparks on Tyler softball and soccer fields. We need a minimum of eight players with a maximum of 20 players. You must be at least 18 years old to play. League begins on Thursday, June 7. Deadline for registration is May 11. The entry fee is $75 per team with a game fee of $10 per team/per game. Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women July 18-22, 2012, Orlando, FL. Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. Theme: River of Hope. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. Psalm 46:4-5 This event every three years draws over 4,000 women (children and men) from around the world to experience Bible Study, workshops, drama, education from nationally renowned religious speakers, over 50 program opportunities and several mission excursions. Plus exhibits and shopping. Booklets are available in the literature rack in the Atrium. Faith Journeys Sunday School May Rotations Pentecost: May 6 & 13 End-of-Year Party: May 20 Youth Group The LPC Youth Fellowship Group is scheduled for an end-of-year party on Sunday, May 20 following worship. Watch Sunday bulletins for details. Parents of Graduates Do you have a student graduating from high school, college or graduate school? If so, please a short biography of your son or daughter, including future plans, to lesliestewart@prodigy.net. We will include the bio s in the June issue of Open Door. OPEN DOOR

5 OPEN DOOR (USPS ) is published monthly, except for the combined July/August issue, by Lakewood Presbyterian Church, Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to OPEN DOOR, Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH Periodical Postage Paid Cleveland, Ohio We are an open and welcoming community of Christians committed to: Proclaiming Christ s message of hope and salvation Nurturing faith and the exploration of our beliefs Celebrating the faith we share in joyous worship Relieving poverty and oppression, and eliminating social and economic injustice Watching over and affirming one another in love Church Staff Pastor/Head of Staff James C. Butler Pastor Emeritus Merton McKendry Minister of Discipleship Sharon Sherwin Budin Organist Paula Maust Choir Directors Karen Weaver, Bob Paraska, Natalie Welty, Sara Lindberg, Paula Maust Administrative Secretary Marie Andrews Financial Secretary Beth Ann Starks Childcare Provider Kimberly Hook Evening Receptionist Becky Schneider Custodians Bonnie Peeples, Todd Strunk Newsletter Editor Leslie Stewart Contact Information Detroit Avenue, Lakewood OH info@lakewoodpresbyterian.org Submission deadline for Open Door is the 15th of the month for the following issue. articles to lesliestewart@prodigy.net. Submissions are subject to editing for length and clarity.