Envoy. Sunday, October 1st. Church Nursery Has Been Renovated! Updates Completed To Help Access The Church. Join us for a

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1 Envoy Volume 28, No. 8 September 2017 Palmyra Church of the Brethren Updates Completed To Help Access The Church. The final piece of Phase 1 of the renovation project is now complete. The elevator s repairs & updates are finished and we have a fully operational elevator for years to come. We have also installed the fob lock system on the north door of the Chestnut Street doors. Folks with a fob can now use the front doors to access our newly renovated elevator to get around the church at any day or time. If you would like a fob, please contact the church office. Join us for a Sunday, October 1st Worship will begin in the Sanctuary at 9 a.m. Following the sermon, we will transition to the Fellowship Hall where we will continue our worship with footwashing/handwashing, a simple fellowship meal, and communion. Church Nursery Has Been Renovated! The church nursery has been beautifully renovated with new paint, furniture, carpet, blinds, and valances and is ready to welcome the babies and toddlers of our congregants and guests. The Christian Education Team would like to express its sincerest gratitude to the Gottshall family for the memorial fund most recently resourced to refresh our nursery and create a safe and nurturing environment for our precious little ones! In addition, we would like to thank Keith Kaylor for installing the carpet, the Properties Team, Michele Gottshall, Steve and Elaine Hoffer, Gail Wagner, Karen Haldeman, Joyce Rosborough, Deb Wilson, Kuchanda Dy, the Blouch family, Charlie Runkle, Justin Faiola, Lois Brubaker, and Lesley Smith, for all their help in making this project a success! Thank you, as well, to those who have already signed up to help work with our little ones during worship or Sunday School. Please contact Lori Faiola ( ) if you are willing and able to spend time with our babies! The congregation is invited to a dedication of the nursery and a baby shower during Fellowship 30 on September 10. The nursery is in need of infant books, disposable changing pads, burp cloths, sanitizing wipes, receiving blankets, diapers, Pack N Play sheets, and gift cards to Walmart for decorations. Refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall and the nursery will be open for exploration. Sunday School will begin as usual at 10:30 am.

2 2 By Jeff Clouser, Director of Music Palmyra Church of the Brethren expresses a sincere thank you to our Summer Melodies Musicians. Your musical offerings have been a blessing. Choir rehearsals are starting! Canticle Bells on Wednesday, August 30, 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir on Thursday, August 31, 7:15 p.m. Praise Team will assume their regular rehearsal time on Thursday, August 31 at 6:15 p.m. Women's Ensemble will rehearse on Wednesdays, November 1 & 8 at 6:15 p.m. Men's Ensemble will rehearse on Wednesdays, November 15 & 29 at 6:15 p.m. Women's and Men's Ensemble will rehearse Wednesday, December 6 starting at 6:15 p.m. Their musical offering is Sunday, December 10. The Children will be singing during worship on Sunday, December 17. They will rehearse during children's church beginning Sunday, November 5. If your child is interested in singing, please make sure they join us on any or all of those Sunday's leading up to and including December 17. Volunteer is needed to rehearse the Children's Choir during children's church beginning Sunday, November 5. If interested please see the Music Director. You will be rehearsing the song "Away In A Manger." Nancy Farber Kent and Rachel Witkovsky will provide special music on Sunday, October 8. Janie Womack and Jody Echterling will be returning to PCoB on Sunday, October 29. Canticle Bells seeks ringers and substitute ringers. Please see music director if interested. Yoga With Emily Kimak, RYT 200 September 18 - November 6, In the Fellowship Hall Chair Yoga Mondays, 5:45-7:00 p.m. $35, First class is free Chair Yoga is an 8-week course open to anyone looking to practice yoga with the support of a chair. The class is inclusive of any age or ability, and can be particularly helpful if one is experiencing chronic illness, fatigue, or limited mobility. Participants will learn several ways to set up chairs, blocks, and blankets in order to practice yoga postures, breathing exercises, and guided relaxation. Participants are encouraged to bring to their own mat to place under their chair for stability. Mats will also be available to borrow. Yoga Foundations Mondays, 7:15-8:30 p.m. $35, First class is free Yoga Foundations is an 8-week course open to beginning and intermediate/advanced practitioners alike, who are interested in refreshing foundational skills in body alignment and awareness in a relaxed environment. Each class will be an adaptable, guided practice in yoga postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation. Take-home materials will also be offered. Participants are encouraged to bring to their own mat; however, mats and block will be available to borrow.

3 3 Join Us For a Camp Swatara Fundraiser Our congregation is holding a special event on Sunday, October 22 to support Building Bridges, Camp Swatara s capital campaign. This Sunday will be a time to remember all the fun and fellowship experienced during Camp weekends, seminars and special events held at Camp Swatara over the years. It will also be a fun opportunity to help raise money for the capital campaign. A buffet lunch, featuring favorite camp foods and treats, will be served in the Fellowship Hall at noon. During the meal, you ll be entertained with live music. There will also be a silent (and maybe not-so-silent) auction featuring new or gently used camping gear, other interesting items and services that have been donated by members and friends of the congregation. Your help is needed to make this auction a success. Look around your home, attic and garage for interesting stuff to contribute for the auction. A camping lantern, lightly used campfire cooking gear, an attractive vase or flower pot, a just-like-new household gadget or collection of mystery books or campfire cookbook make great auction items. Your special treats, baked goods or desserts can also be on the auction block. Another possibility is to volunteer a certain number of hours that a successful bidder can use to ready their yard for winter, wash windows, trim bushes or other household chore. Put on your thinking caps! Interested in helping the Outreach Team with this project? Contact Steve Bortner, Team Chair; Deb Blouch, Heidi Neiswender, Don Reynolds or Evelyn Werner today. The Team needs your thoughts and ideas. We ll also need your help setting up the Fellowship Hall, organizing the auction items, serving the meal and cleanup. Be sure to tell your friends, neighbors and family members about this event so that they can hold the date. Tickets for the meal will be available from members of the Team this fall. Congregational Tidbits We pray for the health concerns for Ray Bashore, Andy Cantrell, Alma Heisey, Judy Jurell, Al Kaylor, Wally Landes, Karl Rhoads, Cindy Weatherholtz. Please extend sympathy to the following: Jess & Ed Shultz on the passing of their son Mickey, grandson of Terry & Marilyn Baker, on June 26. The family of Harry Stroup who passed away on July 9. In particular, please hold Harry s friend, Vera Freed in your prayers. The family of David Kulp who passed away on August 2. Elaine Hoffer on the death of her step-brother Kevin Edmonds on August 8. The family of Dick Groff who passed away on August 10. Congratulations to the following: Jess Baker & Ed Shultz who were married on June 24. Bill & Diane Cave on the transfer of their membership from Annville COB to PCOB on July 9. Address changes: Tim Hoffer: 81 Beacon Drive, Harrisburg, PA George & Teresa Keller: 104 Mary Caroline Spring Drive, Mt. Holly, SC, Mark Maurer: 108 Spruce Court, Annville, PA Aaron & Erin Wachter: 1038 Castle Maine Court, Elizabethtown, PA Rane & Deb Wilson: 7302 East County Road 96, Midland, TX 79706

4 4 The Caring Church- From Infancy to Primetime By Bill Cave, Coordinator of Congregational Care An article appeared in the June 2017 issue of Christianity Today entitled, Why the best witnesses use their ears first and their mouths later. I find it interesting to note that it was written by Christine Herman, not a theologian but a PhD chemist turned public radio journalist and freelance science writer. The article is based upon the premise, confirmed by both common sense and research, that it is very hard to change a person s strongly held beliefs - religious or otherwise. Given the divisions that prevail in our society, families, churches, and communities, the article goes on to argue that in order for there to be any hope of healing our divisions, we will need to learn how to have better conversations. And this will require, Herman argues, that we pay closer attention to the mounting scientific evidence which aligns perfectly with the admonition offered in the NT letter of James: to make every effort to be quick to listen and slow to speak (1:19). Though written from the perspective of a PhD chemist, the article explicitly directs our attention to what these findings mean for followers of Jesus wanting to promote unity among believers and be influential in the world. Herman believes it comes down to applying the age-old wisdom of talking less and doing a lot more intentional, focused listening. It is listening that seeks to understand and to show empathy rather than simply to respond. There is, of course, a biblical reason for practicing this kind of listening in our conversations: it conveys love. As we continue to work at following Jesus peacefully, simply, and together here at Palmyra Church of the Brethren, may the power of listening be what motivates us to be gentler and more affirming of one another. Social Responsibility Isn t Cheap. Do you remember the special SERRV coffee which we provided for the Fellowship Time on Mother s Day? Are you wondering just what was so special about it? Well, let us tell you a bit about SERRV, the source of that coffee. It is a nonprofit, fair trade organization created to help disadvantaged artisans, farmers and their families out of poverty. SERRV partners with small-scale cooperatives to bring unique products to our market places. These products are high quality items using sustainable materials and production techniques. SERRV is not the only source of fairly traded products. There are other organizations or retailers or restauranteurs who also offer fair trade items, such as Equal Exchange. (This is a co-op, started in 1986 with the purchase of coffee from small-scale farmers in Nicaragua.) Fair Trade certified goods must meet high social, environmental and economic standards. Purchasing such goods can improve the quality of an entire community s daily lives. But because there is such a strong emphasis on the social, environmental and fair economic aspects of these products, there is a higher cost. As the title indicates, social responsibility doesn t come cheaply. One must ask, Am I willing to pay more for this coffee/necklace/whatever because I know the provider was paid fairly? Because I know my purchase will help lift a family - or even an entire community - out of poverty? The Peace Action Team asks if the coffee drinkers - and others! - of PCoB are ready to contribute to the purchase of fairly traded coffee? Now that will provide a true sense of fellowship not only with each other but with third world communities as well...peace Action Team

5 5 Sr. Adult Fellowship Banquet Wednesday, October 25, 12 Noon Yoder s Restaurant $18.00 Sign up at the mail slots. Deadline is October 12. NEW! Friday, September 15 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room FREE! L.I.F.E. Living In Faith Everyday A discussion based group exploring the world in light of our faith. Join us in the parlor beginning August 27! FUNDRAISER! Decked Out Concert Series! The Vineyard at Hershey 598 Schoolhouse Rd, Middletown Friday, September 08, 7:00 p.m. Featuring: Crossing Abbey Road, A Beatles Cover Band The Caring Cupboard receives all proceeds from ticket sales. Tickets are $10!

6 6 Serving In September Date Ushers/Greeters Flowers Brenda Heisey Samantha Auer 9/3 9/10 Child Care John Rhine, Bucher Family Cindy Groff Donna Fawber Via Reserved Jeanie Small Sherry Baiocchi Karen Meads Betty Smith Shirley Spahr Bob Feeman, 9/17 9/24 Paul & Carol Boll 21st Annual Bike & Hike Sunday, September 10 Lititz Church of the Brethren 3 mile walk 10 and 25 mile bicycle rides 60 mile Dutch Country motorcycle ride Register at Thank you all for your generous donations to the school supplies drive to support the Palmyra and AnnvilleCleona area high school students. Thank you to those who participated in the backpack stuffing and ice cream social. I have enjoyed my short summer interning at the church, spending time with the youth at open youth room, planning events, and helping move items around the church. It has been a fulfilling summer spending it with my church family. I also really appreciate all the birthday cards I received while in Europe. It is these constant reminders of how awesome the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren are. Sincerely, Jenna Walmer

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10 Palmyra Church of the Brethren Continuing the work of Jesus. Peacefully Simply Together North Chestnut Street, Palmyra, PA Office: Fax: STAFF Lead Pastor Dennis M. Lohr Coordinator of Congregational Care Bill Cave Director of Young Adults Ministries Rachel Witkovsky Director of Youth Ministries Bethany Hoffer Director of Children Ministries Missy Thompson Music Director Jeff Clouser Office Administrator Gail Wagner The mission of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren is to invite, welcome, nurture, disciple, equip, empower and inspire all persons to live and to serve in the way of Jesus. Envoy is the official publication of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren. It is published 11 times a year. Deadline for the October 2017 s Envoy is September 7, articles to: envoy@palmyracob.org Please include the month the article is to be published.