Reflections from the Congregational Business Meeting

Transcription

1 June 2011 Reflections from the Congregational Business Meeting Graduate Blessing Please bless these graduates as they go out into the world to make it a better place, while they pursue their dreams. gently guide them, lead them, show them Your way to success and happiness through service to others, as they maximize their own potential. Fill them with joy when they reach their goals. Strengthen them, as they deal with life's obstacles, and show them that every challenge is a path to character development. Give them the intelligence to make a plan for their futures. Give them the patience and persistence to pursue their ambitions. Most of all, give them caring hearts to look for ways to help the people they meet on their life's journey. Encourage them and lift them up now, as they spread their wings into a clear sky of limitless opportunity. Let each and every graduate here be wrapped in the warmth of Your infinite love, and let Your wisdom show them the way to make the most of their lives. By Joanna Fuchs Congregational Business Meetings (CBM) are wonderful times to hear what the entire church is doing. We hear bits and pieces of the ministry that takes place through our newsletter, bulletin, and our own personal activities, but the CBM is the primary place where we hear, celebrate, and discuss the day-to-day operations of God s family at West Green Tree. However, sometimes statements such as The board just goes ahead and does what they want; or No one listens to me are made. That could be true! But it s very difficult for members of your Board to facilitate the will of the congregation if the members aren t sharing their thoughts with those who have been entrusted with leadership. Sometimes we may feel that a concern is just our own feeling, and that no one else would agree, or maybe we think our thoughts are not important to the overall running of the church. But we could not disagree with you more! Each member of the congregation has an important voice. Each person should feel that they have input into the decisions and actions of the body. As the Apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians: Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ Now if the foot should say, Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, it Inside this issue: 2011 Graduates!! 2 Scriptures, Servants & Stats 3 June Calendar 4 Upcoming Activities 6 His Divine Nature Float 7 Tiny Timbers Tidbits 3 would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body (1 Corinthians 12:12, TNIV). We also believe in the Priesthood of All Believers and that the Holy Spirit speaks through the collective Body. If you are a member, you have a voice and a vote! Even if you re not a member, you still have a voice! We cannot discern the voice of the Lord together when we re not together. A case and point is as follows: many members were not pleased that leadership elected to host CBM on a Sunday in the interest of garnering greater participation, but only one member shared this concern with the leadership (consequently, we will no longer be hosting CBM on Sundays, an official action made by the Body). This is how the Body is intended to function, and we thank the brother who had the courage to respectfully share this concern with his church family! Unfortunately, many other members who did not approve of hosting the CBM on Sunday simply chose not attend, but never expressed their concern with leadership. They let their absence speak. But this is passive-aggressive behavior that does more damage to the Body than outright disagreement and conflict. The lesson is simple: share your thoughts, ideas, opinions, reflections and concerns with those YOU have called to serve in leader-

2 Page 2 Nichole Winters will graduate from Alvernia University in Reading, PA with a Bachelors in the Science of Nursing. During the upcoming summer, Nichole will be working at Camp Swatara as a nurse. She plans to take her State Boards & search for a full time job. Nichole likes emergency nursing & critical care but is open to working wherever she can find a job & is open to many different avenues. She is trusting God to lead her in the direction He wants her to go. I am thankful for the wonderful four years of college & could not have been able to do it without my faith in the Lord & the prayers & support from family, the WGT congregation & everyone else...and the tsunami...wow! The Lord definitely brought me through that experience safely with the prayers from everyone back home! Samantha Ginder will graduate from Manheim Central High School on June 14th, She will be continuing her education at Franklin & Marshal in the fall. Samantha will major in Biology and plans to play collegiate softball for the Diplomats. Abigail Schwanger will graduate from Hershey High School. While in High school, I have been a part of the Hershey High School newspaper, The Broadcaster, for three years now. This last year I was the Public Relations Editor. I have also been involved with the French club. I was also involved in a club that is only for senior girls called Sigma Gamma. This was a club that the senior girls were able to mentor to the freshman girls and also do community service. My plans for the future are being solidified. I plan on going to HACC for my first year of college and then onto Millersville or Messiah College and majoring in English with a minor in middle school education. Abigail Myers will graduate from Elizabethtown Area High School on June 9th. She is a member of the National Honor Society. She has played clarinet in concert band, and tenor saxophone in marching band, all four years. Additionally, she played cello in orchestra for three years. Last fall she completed an internship at Rheems Elementary in a third grade classroom. A member of the Hershey Aerials Gymnastic Team, she competed in sectionals this year. After graduation, Abigail plans to attend the Baltimore School of Massage, York Campus. She is very excited for this next stage of her life and is looking forward to acquiring new skills that she can use to serve God. Jennifer Miller - After 4 1/2 years of juggling motherhood, work, and school, I m finally celebrating my graduation from Lancaster General College of Nursing. It has been a long road, but I am really looking forward to beginning this new chapter in my life. Nick and I are planning a special trip together to celebrate my graduation as he has gone through this journey with me. Right now, I am applying and interviewing for positions as an RN and hopefully will find a job in the near future. I am incredibly grateful for Nick, my family, friends, and church family who have supported me, encouraged me, and prayed during the past 4 years. I could not have done this on my own. A verse that has special meaning is Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

3 Page 3 Messenger June Sermon Texts & Servants Focus for June: Patience June 5 June12 June 19 June 26 John Weber Ezekiel 2 Craig Smith Pastor Kenneth 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 1 Samuel 2:1-7 Pastor Kenneth 2 Peter 3:1-18 Organist Mary Jane Smith Janet Myers Mary Jane Smith Pianist Sylvia Weaver Brenda Geib Special Music Audrey Garber Victoria Smith Abigail Myers RaErin Williams Offertory Chorister Marilyn Keener June Kolp Regena Tripp Glenn Weaver Greeters Lloyd Swarr & Greg Seitz Zane Seitz & Alec Drawbaugh John & Wendy Weber Dennis & Linda Gerdel Leader Pastor Don Pastor Kenneth Pastor Don John Weber Ushers Youth New Horizons SS Class Faith Seekers SS Class Sojourners SS Class Sound Room 8 am Jerry Huber & Duane Bender Duane Martin & Jerry Huber Duane Bender & Jeff Schwanger Merv McClenaghan & Duane Martin Sound Room Duane Martin & Merv McClenaghan Jeff Schwanger & Duane Bender Marv McClenaghan & Duane Martin Jerry Huber & Jeff Schwanger 8 am Nursery/ Toddler Jason & Kari Slater Daryl & Angie Harnish Mike & Marcia Hawthorne Nursery Toddler Jackie Sawyer & Adrienne Fellenbaum Rose & Marlin Hibshman Jamie & Curtis Gruber Chad & Audrey Garber Brenda Axe The Haverkamp Family The Stewart Family April & May Stats April 24 May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 Total Sunday School General $7, $7, $3, $4, $6, Building $ $ $50.00 $ $ Deacon $ $60.00 $70.00 $65.00 $65.00 Seminary $ $25.00

4 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Jr. High Clubs, Sr. High Clubs, & Young Adult Bible Study 7 pm M Men s Retreat Putney, VT 3 M Men s Retreat Putney, VT 4 8:00 am Sunday School 9:15 am 3 M Men s Retreat Putney, VT Jr. High Clubs, Sr. High Clubs, & Young Adult Bible Study 7 pm WGT at Clothing Bank Crochet Group 8:30 am 12 Honor Graduates 8:00 am Sunday School 9:15 am 13 July EVERGREEN NEWS Submissions due Flag Day Jr. High Clubs, Sr. High Clubs, & Young Adult Bible Study 7 pm Father s Day 19 8:00 am Sunday School 9:15 am Jr. High Clubs, Sr. High Clubs, & Young Adult Bible Study 7 pm Anointing Sunday 8:00 am Sunday School 9:15 am Jr. High Clubs, Sr. High Clubs, & Young Adult Bible Study 7 pm 30

5 Anniversaries 6/1 - Charles & Tracy Drescher 6/11 - Brad & Brenda Drawbaugh 6/16 - Sarah & George Clugston 6/21 - Dave & Janet Hawthorne, Glenn & Beth Funk Birthdays 6/1 - Steve Ginder 6/2 - Tina Lutz 6/3 - Tammy Eckerd, Sophie Slater 6/4 - Miranda Ginder 6/5 - Chad Garber 6/7 - Christopher Lutz 6/9 - Bob Hess, James Kolp 6/10 - Arlen Mummau, Rachel Mummau 6/14 - Shawn Eckerd 6/15 - Chet Kile 6/16 - Ashley Keener 6/17 - Heather Saylor, Kipp Kulas 6/18 - Bob Dunkelberger 6/19 - Michael Winters 6/20 - Audrey Estep, Marlin Hibshman 6/23 - Richard Dickason 6/24 - June Kolp 6/30 - Barry Miller, Mary Louise Miller The WGT Library - A GIFT! Our library is one of the many gifts God enables us to enjoy. Several visitors to our library have commented on the great variety of books we have. A big THANK YOU to West Green Tree for your continued support of our library. Our children, Lauren & Brendan, enjoy watching the Auto B Good collection. This series of DVDs enriches the Fruits of the Spirit such as friendship, sacrifices instead of being selfish, patience, self-control & that we are all special. It is very cute how these cars in the City of Auto demonstrate these lessons. These movies are part of our family movie night. Check them out! Heather Haverkamp Who s Who at West Green Tree Walter & Lois Schwanger We have been part of the West Green Tree family for 50+ years. We served as Sunday School teachers, on different commissions, served as deacons for 25 years, youth advisors & other places where & when we could. Page 5 Walter retired from construction 11 years ago. He played on the WGT softball team in the early years of the team history. He now plays in the over 60 league on the Florin Engle Printing team. Walter enjoys going to our cabin in Tioga County & hunting and fishing there. He does gardening and likes to read & travel. I was church organist & pianist for 50 years plus and have retired from the church secretary position which I held for 12 years. I enjoy cooking, shopping, & preserving what bounty comes from our garden & more and traveling with Walter. We especially enjoy spending time with out 10 grandchildren, another on the way in June! We have 5 children, 3 girls & 2 boys. Mellanie Williams lives with her husband Cyrus & 2 daughters near Milton Grove. They attend WGT regularly. Jeff lives with his wife Dori & their three children in Hummelstown. They also attend WGT. Dwayne Schwanger lives with his wife Wanda and daughter next door to us. Beverly Heckman lives with her husband and four children in Moneta, VA and our youngest, Helen McCombs, lives in Russellville with her husband Eric. They are looking forward to their new arrival in June. We are among the missing sometimes at church because of our love to travel, but it is always good to come back to greet and be greeted by our church family. ship. Otherwise, those of us entrusted with the responsibility of hearing the Lord s voice through the collective Body of priests will always be guessing, trying to hit a moving target. That is no position a leader wants to be in. The bottom line is: you are important to the work and life of the family at West Green Tree! Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 8 at 7pm. My hope is that you will be attending and will fully participate in the life, discussion and discernment of God s voice, discovering what His pleasing and perfect will is for our congregation! In Christian Love, MJ Smith, Moderator Kenneth A. Stewart, Senior Pastor

6 Page 6 Pastor Don will be retiring & we want to show them both how much of a blessing they have been to the WGT family. Mark Your calendars for August 28th!! Women s Fellowship Thank you to each one who came out on May 19th to the Daughter s of Christ Banquet. Those of us who help to plan were encouraged by all the smiling faces! There were about 80 women & we all enjoyed the food & entertainment by Joanne & Miija. We are busy planning an all day retreat for October 20th. We will have Bonni Greiner speaking on prayer & having a gentle spirit. Elva Hurst, the chalk artist, will inspire us through her art. Plan to attend this day of learning & renewal! Your WF Committee: Sue Brooks, Tracy Drescher, Audrey Garber, Jessica Groff, Mary Jane McClenaghan & Julie Ramsey Witness Commission Upcoming Activities June 11: E-town Clothing Bank July 18-22: Vacation Bible School July 31 - August 6: E-town Work Camp August 22-27: E-town Fair October 29: Fall WGT November: Operation Christmas Child & Angel Tree December: Christmas Caroling December 25: Christmas WGT There are some new activities that we are excited to share & also some outreaches we have participated in in the past. We have a lot of things to keep us buys sharing our blessings. Your Witness Commission, Doug Breneman, Deb Klugh, Jason Leonard, Mary Jane McClenaghan, & Lou Trout

7 Library News Are you looking for some summer reading? Books to read as you sit on the beach or in the shade at the mountains? Come to the library! There is a variety of new & old books. It was brought to my attention that we really do judge a book by its cover. We recently added a book to the library that was there for years and not taken out. This book was redone by the publisher & given an updated look. Many of you have taken out the book & I even received a comment about how good this book is. I challenge you to pick up the book, regardless of the age of the cover & read a little, there are many excellent older books. Enjoy reading this summer! Your librarians, Jessica Groff, Heather Haverkamp & Rose Hibshman Some words of wisdom I came across recently. Where are they from? The answer may surprise you. 1. When you first rise in the morning, give thanks to the Creator. 2. Honor others by treating them with kindness and consideration. 3. Sharing is the best part of receiving. 4. Practice silence and patience in all things. 5. Treat every person from the tiniest child to the oldest elder with respect. It may sound like something from the book of Proverbs. But, they are from the Cherokee Indians. I share this to show that God has shared with all people throughout history in some way so that they may live by His will. Steve Bender Page 7 PLEASE HELP!! The Tiny Timbers camera is missing. It was in the nursery Sunday evening during the Tiny Timbers Celebration and was not there when the teachers went to retrieve it. This camera contains pictures from this past school year. If you picked it up by mistake thinking it was yours, please return it, no questions asked! Fishing, Fellowship & Fun! Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 16th and join His Divine Nature for another float trip down the Swatara Creek. Watch the bulletin for upcoming details! Who s Who at West Green Tree The Weber Family Toby & I are retired. Toby retired from Air Products and is now working part time at Manheim Auto Auction. I m still doing house work & I like working in the flower beds. We have three sons, David married to Gaylene, Tom married to Sandy, & John married to Wendy, nine grandchildren & one great grandson. David & Gaylene live in Colorado & usually visit for a few weeks throughout the year. We have a wonderful time. The younger boys put Toby in the wiffle ball hall of fame. They made a plaque and held a ceremony. It was very neat. Our grandchildren range in ages from 7 years old to 30 years old. They are very active in sports including Lacrosse, Baseball, Football, & Basketball. That keeps us attending games which are so much fun to watch. Listening to the grandchildren s stories about school & activities gives us great joy that our grandchildren area doing well. Thanks for reading the Weber family story and have a safe & happy summer!

8 Page 8 Shake it Up Café is the theme for VBS this year!!! Mark your calendars for July 18th - July 22nd. Shake It Up Café allows kids to explore the Bible as a cookbook filled with recipes for living out God s word. Online registration is available on the church website. Simply go to this link: org and click on the What s Happening tab. Click on VBS & then HERE. This will take you directly to the Shake it Up registration site. On the left menu bar, click on Participant and you will be able to register your child.. Direct questions to Allison Huber at or AuntAlli1976@gmail.com.

9 Page 9 Another great year of Tiny Timbers Christian Preschool came to a close with the culmination of events being held on Sunday evening, May 1. Each of the four classes performed for their family and friends for our annual Tiny Timbers Evening. Well over two hundred people were present at this special event where Miss Char and Miss Sherry s classes each had the opportunity to present their songs and talents. This was an especially meaningful evening, as Miss Char and her teacher s aide, Miss Jean, were both honored for their upcoming retirement. As a special surprise, alumni students representing each of the 12 years that Miss Char taught, were invited back to take part in the ending of the program. Following the presentation, families were invited to enjoy refreshments and visit the children s classrooms to view the many creative projects on display. A special thank you goes out to Wendy and Morgan Giulivo for their balloon twisting services, and appreciation is also extended to all the church members who willingly contributed the delicious desserts! The Tiny Timbers board was able to enjoy a delicious end of year meal at the church on 5/9/11 where we were able to recognize and thank our teachers, aides, and other staff. At that time, board co-chairs, Wanda Winters and Mindy Smith unveiled the Donald E. Hollinger Scholarship Fund, benefitting Tiny Timbers Christian Preschool. The scholarship fund will be used to assist families when unexpected hardships and financial difficulties occur and make paying tuition impossible. Anyone interested in making a donation to the scholarship should see one of the board members. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for, financially supported, and volunteered your time and talents to Tiny Timbers in the past year. We are pleased to offer this ministry to our church and community families and trust that the Lord will continue to bless our school in the year ahead. Please continue to be in prayer as we seek God s will in hiring new staff to fill the vacated positions and for the transition period that will take place in this season of change. Lisa Cannon

10 WEST GREEN TREE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 740 Greentree Road Elizabethtown, PA WEST GREEN TREE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN Kenneth A. Stewart, Pastor Donald E. Hollinger, Pastor John Weber, Ministry Intern Paula M. Jones, Administrative Assistant Phone: Fax: Our Purpose Statement We intentionally develop friends of Jesus Christ by sharing God s love through words and deeds. Sunday Service Times: Contemporary 8:00 am Sunday School 9:15 am Traditional Wednesday Service Times: Jr. High 7:00 pm Sr. High 7:00 pm Young Adult Bible 7 pm