The Chimes. The Right Words at the Right Time. Pastor s Word A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. -- Proverbs 25.

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1 Christ United Methodist Church, Alliance, Ohio June, 2011 The Chimes Pastor s Word A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. -- Proverbs The Right Words at the Right Time One of the running arguments I have with modern life is the proliferation of pictures and symbols and the decrease of words for ordinary communication. This is a movement, they tell me, to accommodate those who cannot read English or who cannot read any language at all. My problem is that it causes plenty of difficulties for those of us who can read. Hospital elevators, for instance, hardly ever have the word Lobby next to the button you want to press to get there. The lobby might be on level one or two. Then again, it might be on L or G. How helpful it would be, I often ponder, if the one button which undoubtedly gets pressed more often than any other in the whole building would be labeled with the simple word, Lobby. Instead, you get a star or an arrow or a letter. Restrooms that put robot-like symbols on the door are not much better. How often have I had to study the two generic symbols for male and female for several seconds to figure out which robot is wearing a dress or not before I push open a door? Too many times, I tell you. And it often happens when I have the least time to spare, if you know what I mean. Is it that hard to spell out Men or Women? There s the popular roadway sign that features a humanoid silhouette (a solid circle for a head, a featureless torso) holding something rectangular with a directional arrow below. This is the sign for the Public Library. This one completely baffles me. Is the library really trying to reach out to people who can t read? The dashboards on our cars are just as awkward. My headlamp switch has half a dozen little pictures of alternate available lighting. But which one is which? I feel like I m looking at hieroglyphics on an Egyptian stele. What is especially puzzling in my car is that only some things are marked with symbols. Others are marked with ordinary, helpful words: Volume, Heat, Emergency, and so forth. Why some and not others is a mystery buried deep inside the minds of Detroit. I once learned in grade school that it was a mark of civilization when humans stopped using pictures and started using letters and words. We re better off, my teachers said, with a limited but memorable set of symbols (an alphabet) that can be arranged in many different ways (words) to communicate with each other. As you can see, this is an argument I have not been able to dismiss nor found any modern evidence to refute. I admit I m a man of words. But I know I m not alone. Some words, spoken or written at just the right time and clearly expressed are all anyone needs to make one s day a good one. Words like I love you, Can I help you? I forgive you, or How about lunch? go a long way to making life easier for many. Words don t cost much, but they can mean so much. And as George Eliot once said, What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other? Like golden apples in a basket of silver are words spoken at just the right time. I couldn t have expressed it better myself. - KDS

2 ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL It was gratifying to hear, at our May meeting, of the amount of work and activity that is ongoing at Christ Church in pursuit of the goals that came out of the Spiritual/Strategic Planning effort led by Rev. Allan Zagray in From efforts at reactivation of missing members, organization of a corps of volunteers to provide visitation of our homebound members, work on improving our website, development of plans for improving our facilities to plans to participate in a joint worship service this summer for all United Methodists, much is going on to achieve those goals. More details about some of those activities appear elsewhere in this issue of The Chimes, but a big vote of thanks is due to those who are hard at work to build upon the success of Christ Church as an instrument of God s love in this community. The Council s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 7:00. Remember, the meetings are open to all members of the church. Come by, share your concerns and have any questions answered to the best of our ability. Jim Williams, Chairperson UPDATE ON CONFIRMATION CLASS PHOTO Thank you to Robin Rykes Musgrave, for sharing her Confirmation Class picture from Robin and her sister Jill Ryks Greiner got together and identified everyone in the picture. Thanks also to Katie Winner Weitzel for sharing her 1966 picture. She and several other members are studying the faces to attached names for posterity. Your historical committee is still in search of 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1968 and If you can share these Confirmation class pictures, please contact the Church office, or any member of the Historical Committee. Dick & Susan Diser Jim & Jill Greiner Frank & Carol Woolf Betty Jo Sutherin Bob & Lou Clayton CONGREGATIONAL CARE COMMITTEE An ongoing ministry of the Committee is the staffing of the Welcome Center in the lounge each Sunday. Our church is committed to Radical Hospitality and staffing the Center is one way we contribute to that concept. Fourteen people take turns serving at the Center. They are: Helen Brown, Cynthia Carlin and Charlie Manypenny; Bob and Lou Clayton; Dick Diser; Rev. David and Mildred Hostetler; Larry and Connie Pyers; Peg Rodefer; Bill Sol; Betty Thorpe; and Peg Williams. We thank them for their faithful service of extending a warm and friendly greeting to members and guests alike who join us each Sunday morning. If you would be interested in helping with this vital ministry by occasionally taking a turn at greeting at the Welcome Center, any member of our Committee would be pleased to hear from you. For many years, Christ Church has had a ministry of serving, upon request, luncheons following funeral or memorial services for member families. We extend our thanks to the many volunteers who have provided food or helped with these luncheons. There is a need for additional help to keep this ministry intact. If you are willing to help in any way, please let one of our Committee members, named below, know. Thank you. Sue Burden, Paul Cope, Jane Helwig, Rev. David and Mildred Hostetler, Larry and Connie Pyers and Peg Williams, Chairperson CHRISTIAN OUTREACH FOOD PANTRY We recognize a need in our community by collecting funds, food, personal and household items to help the Salvation Army in its outreach. The Christian Outreach Committee reminds you that there is always a shopping cart in the Lounge for donations, and that the third Sunday of each month is designated as Food Pantry Sunday. June 19 th will be the next date for donations of non-perishable food items, paper and cleaning products, and cash donations to be counted for delivery to the Salvation Army. In May, 77 items and $50.00 were collected. Your response for this much needed community program is appreciated. Thank You! CHURCH IN THE PARK We will be worshiping in God s Cathedral, on Sunday June 12th, at Silver Park in the Miller Pavilion. Worship will be at 11:00 AM, with lunch to follow at 12:00 PM. Please bring a covered dish to share!!!

3 1 Brittany Strong 3 Gene Grubb 4 Don Gray 4 Elizabeth Sol 6 Jack Edwards 9 Lucinda Feess 12 Jennifer Frank 13 Aaron Webster 16 Jessica Crider 22 Chrissy Shields 23 Bob Clayton 23 Nicholas Skidmore 25 Linda Montgomery 25 Karen Locke 27 Tyler Kinser 28 Jerry Sandifer 9 Robert and Lou Clayton 11 Rev. Durlan and Alice Dumm 12 Rev. L. Chris and Cindi Martin 12 Wil and Dorothy Rogers 13 Richard and Susan Diser 25 Robert and Nancy Locke 27 William and Ellen Sol VISITATION MEMBERS FOR JUNE: 5 Darlene Howell, The Towers, 350 S. Arch Ave., #511, Alliance, OH Margaret Reisch, 800 S. 15 th St #9-137, Sebring, OH Donald Ray Alton, McCrea Manor, 2040 McCrea St., #153-B, Alliance, OH Mary Jane Bingle, 976 Mill Circle, #109, Alliance, OH HISTORY IN THE MAKING Congratulations to Frank Woolf who was honored as the Alliance Lions Melvin E. Jones Fellow of 2011, and to William Messenheimer who was presented the Alliance Lion of the Year for 2011 honor Thursday, April 28, How exciting it is that two of our active church members have been awarded such prestigious awards!! Congratulations!! Another exciting achievement for active Christ Church members, were stories published in the 50 plus 2011 (A Quarterly Reader Interest Section of The Review) which was distributed Tuesday, May 3, Born on D-Day, Jack Edwards recalls the day Japanese surrendered was the headline for the story and picture on Jack Edwards experience of World War II. Don Egli survives horrors of World War II headlines a story, picture and poem shared by Don Egli. Chuck Cline Greg Ruff Nicholas Skidmore USHERS FOR JUNE: Roger Frank - Captain Treva Cline Brian Skidmore Linda Montgomery The eight United Methodist Churches in the Alliance area - Aldersgate, Beechwood, Bolton, Christ, Lexington, Salem, Union Avenue and Vine Street - will, on the morning of Sunday, July 10, 2011, come together for a worship service at Silver Park. What began, in a meeting of the Administrative Council chairpersons several months ago as a suggestion for closer cooperation among our several UM churches has blossomed, with the full and enthusiastic support and guidance of the pastors, into what promises to be a memorable and moving service with something for every age group. From participation by the Conference Clown Ministry, hymn singing and special music, to Holy Communion, an inspirational service has been planned, all leading, of course, to - what else for United Methodists? food and lots of it. With each family being asked to bring a dish for sharing, and Christ Church s grill and others being pressed into service for hamburgers, hot dogs and who knows what else, the body as well as the spirit of every participant will be nourished in our beautiful Silver Park. Both the Miller Pavilion and the soundstage have been reserved for this remarkable event. Mark the date, Sunday, July 10, 2011 on your calendar and be prepared to enjoy worship and fellowship with our counterparts from the seven other United Methodist churches in our community. More details will be provided in the next issue of The Chimes and, of course, by way of announcements and notices in our Sunday bulletins.

4 Tuesday June 7 at 7:00 P.M. in the Dussel Room Program is: Beauty and Courage of Sudan Presented by: UMW Tuscarawas district officers This is the 2011 UMW geographical mission study. The study gives an overview of the history, sociology, culture, and religions of the region; and explores ways in which the people of faith can embrace and affirm the Sudanese people. Hostesses and Greeters will be the Dorcas Circle All Women of the church are invited and welcomed to attend!!! UNITED METHODIST WOMEN UNIT MEETING CIRCLES: June 20, 12:30 P.M. Dorcas Circle Place: Lakeview Terrace, Copeland Oaks June 20, 6:00 P.M. M&M Circle Place: Blue Fig Restaurant 2340 W. State Street June 21, 7:00 P.M. May Smyth Circle Place: TBD There will be no Unit Meetings, in July and August 2011!! Thank You, to all that helped make the United Methodist Women s Basement Sale a big success! ~ Jean Webster SANCTUARY GREETERS FOR JUNE: 5 Phyllis and Bill Messenheimer 12 Church in the Park 19 Marcene Buchs 26 Julie Greiner CHURCH WOMEN UNITED June 3 at Second Baptist Church 820 Patterson Street, Alliance, OH :30 A.M. Board Meeting 1:00 P.M. General Meeting Program Devotions from a Grocery Cart, Presented by: Carole DeRhodes FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE: LITURGISTS 8:30 A.M. 10:45 A.M. 5 Steve Diser Paul Whipple 12 (Silver Park) Bill Sol 19 Haven Ackley Allan Zagray 26 Steve Diser Jamie Greiner WELCOME CENTER GREETERS 5 Lou and Bob Clayton 12 Peg Williams and Dick Diser 19 Connie and Larry Pyers 26 Helen Brown and Peg Williams JUNE TELLERS 5 Julie Greiner & Jan Essick 12 Jim Greiner & Larry Pyers 19 Pat Helsel & Marilyn Ruff 26 Jill Greiner & Donna Essick JULY TELLERS 3 Tyler Kinser & Bruce Helsel 10 Diane Thomas & Bill Messenheimer 17 Nancy Sandifer & Mildred Hostetler 24 Julie Greiner & Jan Essick 31 Jim Greiner & Larry Pyers DEADLINE FOR THE COMBINED JULY 2011/AUGUST 2011 CHIMES WILL BE WEDNESDAY JUNE 15TH, ANY ARTICLES RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE, MIGHT NOT BE PUBLISHED. ARTICLES CAN BE SENT BY TO: cumcalliance@gmail.com, OR THEY CAN BE PLACED IN THE MAILBOX, OUTSIDE THE OFFICE.

5 GOLF TEAM NEWS: Christ United Methodist Church participates in the YMCA sponsored Church Golf League. The teams play on Wednesday evenings at Tannenhauf Golf Course. Christ Church s Team members are Dick Diser, Jim Greiner, Larry Pyers and Leo Stryffler. Christ Church s schedule is: June 1 at 5:15 P.M. verses Science Hill B June 8 at 5:15 P.M. verses YMCA A June 15 Team Event June 22 at 5:45 P.M. verses St. Joseph B June 29 at 5:30 P.M verses St. Joseph A July 6 at 5:15 P.M. verses Science Hill B July 13 at 6:00 P.M. verses YMCA B July 20 at 5:30 P.M. verses YMCA C July 27 at 5:15 P.M. verses Science Hill A Aug 3 at 5:15 P.M. verses YMCA A Aug 10 Team Event Aug 17 First Championship Round/Team Event Aug 24 Second Championship Round/Team Event Aug 31 Shotgun Start/Scramble/ Banquet/5:30 P.M. ESTATE GIFT A gift from the estate of Lois Peters has been received by Christ UMC. Lois was a 74 year member of the church and her prayers, her presence, her gifts, her service and her witness to the Kingdom of God through Christ UMC are here demonstrated even at her death. The Church is grateful for Lois support, foresight and faithfulness and for her bequest. This bequest will be included with the endowment funds administered by the Church trustees and will continue to support the programs, ministries and work for the Kingdom of God through Christ UMC. Estate gifts and endowment gifts are an integral part of our on-going ministry here at Broadway and Freedom as we reach out to the community and the world. God bless the gift and God bless and keep the Giver. Todd Skivolocki, son of John and Saundra, is graduating from Alliance High School. An active member of Christ Church, he has maintained regular attendance to Sunday School classes and, and has participated in UMYF and youth vocal and bell choirs. Todd is presently making decisions about plans for higher education. Abbey Rogers, daughter of Wil and Dorothy Rogers, graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor s degree in specialized studies. Scott Thomas, son of Diane and Brad Thomas, graduated Magna Cum Laude and was granted a Bachelor s Degree in Biology, from The University of Mount Union. He intends to pursue a graduate degree in Earth Science and Ecology. Recently he was named All American in a track and field event, the 55 yard dash. Leanne (Austin) Vaughn, daughter of Leslie and David Austin, was awarded her Master of Science in Nutrition, on Sunday May 15th from Case Western Reserve University. She will complete a dietetic internship at University Hospital this summer and hopes to work as a clinical dietician starting in August. Her future plans include working in a research lab and eventually earning her PHD in nutrition. She and her husband, Mike, reside in Cleveland Heights. Congratulations, to these members of Christ United Methodist Church, may the peace of God be with you on your journey!!!

6 CHRISTIAN ED CORNER JUNE 2011 Since January of this year, the core team for the 2011 Vacation Bible School, Panda-Mania, has met on several occasions to orchestrate this year s offering. As in the past few years, Christ United Methodist Church has joined several area churches to share human, financial and other resources; we have also developed new relationships and renewed previous ones. We have enjoyed working together and experiencing the concept of stewardship first hand as we share our time, talent and treasure. There is one distinctly different feature in this year s offering and that is the concept of inter-generational class groupings. Rather than grade or age class groups, we will form groups of various ages led by an adult crew leader (teacher) and an assistant crew leader. The exceptions are that three year old participants have their own class as will the four and five year olds. There are many churches which have adopted this inter-generational concept and do not find it unusual to have senior and middle-aged adults in a Sunday school class with teenagers and elementary age children. The major Christian publishing companies have many printed curriculum featuring this intergenerational style. Another addition this year is the Supper meal provided by the Alliance City Schools summer Meals Program. The meals will be prepared and served from set-up to clean-up and our children and youth may eat at no cost. Adults may also join in the supper meal but at a very minimal cost. There is something else that we would like to experience this year and that is to see you at Vacation Bible School. Perhaps one evening or two, if possible, visit the classrooms to see for yourself how this intergenerational concept can work. The children will appreciate your personal interest in the mission work that they will do. Your ministry of presence will mean a lot to our children and youth as well as to the staff already on site. Of course, everyone is invited to the closing activity on Friday evening which will include an ice cream social. The dates to add to your calendar are 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, July 18 through Friday, July 22. The location is the Vine Street United Methodist Church, 1544 West Vine Street in Alliance. We pray that we will see you there. Welcome New Members into Church Membership Elizabeth (Betty) Frankenberg - Betty has transferred her membership back to Christ Church from Damascus UMC. She is a member of the Dorcas Circle of the United Methodist Women. Jane Graham - Jane re-joins Christ Church by reinstatement of her membership. She is a retired teacher, mother of one daughter and grandmother of four grandsons. Jane was born in Ohio and raised in the Methodist Church. Thomas W. (Tom) Graham - Tom re-joins Christ Church by reinstatement of his membership. He was born and raised in this church. He and his wife Jane moved to Virginia in 1982, then to New Jersey in 1992 and has returned to Alliance, Ohio in the fall of Sharon Griffiths - Sharon joins Christ Church by Profession of Faith. She lives in Homeworth and is the mother of three children and four grandchildren. She also has 2 stepsons and four step-grandchildren. Sharon is retired and has been married eight years to Tom. Jim Reisch - Jim re-joins Christ Church by reinstatement of his membership. Jim is originally from Alliance and had moved to Denver, CO.; Newark, DE.; Philadelphia, PA. and is now back to help take care of his mom. Christian (Chrissy) Shields - Chrissy joins Christ Church by Profession of Faith. She is the mother of three boys and works at Precious Cargo Day Care in Sebring. She is active in Christ Church and participates in the Chancel Bell Choir and leads the Wesley Choir. Cindy Winner - Cindy joins Christ Church by Profession of Faith. She has lived in Alliance all her life and teaches kindergarten at Alliance Early Learning School. She and her husband Charlie have three grown children. Hannah Winner - Hannah joins Christ Church by Profession of Faith. She is attending Kent State Salem, and is very excited to become a member of Christ United Methodist Church. Peace, Dr. J

7 ANNOUNCEMENT FROM FINANCE & SPRC After nearly fifteen years as Church Financial Secretary, Diane Thomas has elected to retire from her position. New responsibilities and requirements at her fulltime job in marketing at Coastal Pet Products are demanding more and more of Diane's time and attention. The Staff Parish and Finance Committees are beginning the search for a replacement for this sensitive position in the Church operations. If you might be interested in the Church Financial Secretary position, please submit your name and qualifications at the Church office or to a committee member. Mark Locke, Finance Christian Outreach Brian Skidmore, SPRC "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9 It has been so heartwarming to experience the generosity of our congregation in supporting our ministries. Thank you to the youth for sponsoring the patriotic picnic on Sunday, May 15, and to the members of the Christian Outreach Commission who helped, too. We had a great crowd. We not only raised money for our covenant relationship with Red Bird Mission, but also warmly greeted our eight new members. Welcome to all of you! Thank you to everyone who was able to come and eat with us. As I write this, we are preparing for our dinner at the Alliance Neighborhood Dinner on Tuesday, May 31. I will thank you in advance for your help! We have two more opportunities to serve meals to the Alliance area in August and November. Just sign up on the Opportunity Board if you are able to help in any way. Thank you for your continued support of the Salvation Army Food Pantry. We have received a special request for cereal. So, if you are able to bring boxes of cereal this summer, it would be great. We are continuing to support our international missionary through our aluminum can collection and our fifth Sunday Noisy Can Offerings. Thank you again, and thanks to the young people for helping take up the collection. The July 9 carnival in the parking lot is still tentative, as is the July 16 rain date. This summer is so busy. Hopefully, the Apostles Build for Habitat for Humanity will go along smoothly. Thank you to Pastor Karl, Mark Locke, and everyone who is able to assist with this ambitious project. We are so blessed to be part of a healthy, vital church family. God bless each and every one of you. SUMMER SPECIAL MUSIC Please consider providing Special Music this summer. Sundays from July 3rd through September 4th are available. Contact Lew Shields at or the Church Office to sign up. Words of Thanks. Dear Church Family, I wish to express my deepest appreciation & thanks for the thoughts & prayers on my behalf, during my recent hospitalization. The lovely carnation & bouquet of flowers, from the alter, lifted my spirits & the visits & prayers from Rev. Karl & Dave & Mildred truly comforted me. I am blessed & I pray for God s blessings on you all. Most Sincerely, Dee Lapp Dearest Friends of Christ United Methodist Church, Thank you for the lovely Delphin Violet plant. It is covered with so many blooming flowers and so pretty. Please thank the lovely lady that brought it. I still have the lovely plant from Christmas and it is so pretty and doing fine. Dorothy Taylor OUTREACH FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS A project started by the United Methodist Women to maintain contact with college students/military personnel having a birthday the month of each The Chimes issue continues as a church-wide outreach. Having a birthday in June is Kent State University student: June 13 Aaron Webster 427 McNally Court Alliance, OH Susie Buckel, Chairman

8 THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING!! After much anticipation, the time has come! The ground breaking for the Apostle Build will be June 1, 2011 at 5:30 P.M. For those of you not aware the Apostle Build is a project of the Alliance Area Habitat for Humanity where 12 churches combine forces to build a home for a local Alliance family. The ground breaking will take place at the build site on Homestead Ave. in Alliance. Everyone is invited to join the family for this ground breaking celebration. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony. Since parking is limited at the job site, a shuttle will be run from the south end of the Alliance Senior Center parking lot. The first volunteer day for the build will be June 25 th. Christ United Methodist Church will be responsible for the lunch on that day. We will need to provide lunch for about 30 volunteers at the job site. We have been assigned Saturday August 13 th as the day we will be helping with the actual build. If all goes as planned we will be hanging drywall that day, but weather can delay the build and we have had a small amount of rain this spring. If our day is delayed we will keep keep everyone informed. If you are interested in helping with the lunch or build please let Mark Locke or the Church office informed. Part of our responsibility is to provide 1/12 th of the funding for the home. Each church is responsible for raising $5000 for the project. Thanks to the generosity of many of our members we have already raised over $4000 to our goal. If you can help get us to our goal please send your pledge or money to the Church. This is a very exciting mission project for Christ Church, please take the opportunity to get involved! CUB SCOUT PACK 50 NEWS Cub Scout Pack 50 held its awards ceremony and presentation recently at the unit sponsor, Christ United Methodist Church in Alliance. Achievement awards and Rank advancement recognition went to every member of the Pack. In Den 6, Tiger Cubs Amiri Mgambo, Jackson Wagner, Cooper Scarlott and Patrick Burse earned 2 orange, black and white beads for Tiger Cub activities and were presented their Tiger Cub Badge for the requirements accomplished during the past 8 months. Each member of Wolf Den 3, Nicky Mikes, Larry Hardy, Dominic Hall and Luke Gehret, earned 2 yellow beads and their Wolf Badge. In Bear Den 8, Eddie Dillon, Michael Shields, Eric Dunn, Michael Burse and Erik Ayers earned two red beads and their Bear Badge. Both Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts accomplished requirements in twelve different categories to earn their Badge. A Fitness Activity Pin and the Webelos Badge and were presented to Zachary Smith and McKade Hall. Webelos Den 5 members Austin Minear, Jacob Shields, Noah Gehret and Adam Brady earned the Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouting, culminating five years of progress along the Cub Scouting trail. The Whittling Chip, designating training in safety and use of a saw, an ax and a pocket knife was presented to Cooper Scarlott and Michael Burse. Webelos Den 5 members Austin Minear, Jacob Shields, Noah Gehret, Adam Brady and McKade Hall were welcomed into Boy Scout Troop 50 and presented their Boy Scout Handbook as they moved from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting. Troop 50 Scoutmaster Keith Crewson and the Troop members welcomed the new Boy Scouts. Mr Crewson explained some of the differences between Cubs and Boy Scouts, stressing the personal responsibility that a Boy Scout is trained to accept. The evening ended with ice cream sundaes for refreshments.

9 THE CHIMES JUNE, 2011 Volume Number 5 Published 10 Months 2011 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALLIANCE, OH PERMIT NO. 298 Christ United Methodist Church 470 East Broadway Street Alliance, OH Rev. Karl D. Stonebraker Church: The Church on The Hill Our Mission is to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ and to Serve God by Sharing Compassion, Hope and Love Covenant Relationship Staff: Thom and Chris Denman, The Joy Center church@cumcalliance.org Web Page: THE CHIMES ~ JUNE, 2011 AUGUST 17-20, 2011