VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

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1 The Flame The Flame June 2015 Our Mission is to be a welcoming place where people meet Christ and grow in their relationship with God through our worship, service, and fellowship. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Vacation Bible School is just around the corner (June 22-26). Sign up youth using the permission slips found on the clipboard table. Youth are encouraged to bring a friend and have fund Hunting for Treasure. The cost is $10 per youth (scholarships are available to those who need them). For more information, contact Cindy Pekarek. By the way, Cindy still needs a few volunteers to help make this year s offering a success. 1

2 Fr. Tom s Tidbits Summer is just a few weeks away. Summer is when most families, and individuals, set aside time to refresh relationships and life in general, by spending time together on vacation or just enjoying the warmth and outdoors. When I was in seminary, we were told summer is a time that slows down in the life of the church since people are away. I really want to ask them what church they are talking about. In both of the parishes I have now served, summer has never been slow; in fact, I would argue the pace of life picks up. While the activities might be different, such as pool parties and movie nights, vacation bible school, rummage sales, mission trips, diocesan summer camp, city parades, just to name a few; we are constantly working at building and maintaining relationships with God and one another. Add to this, the summer is when most military families move, and we here at CHS see a surge in visitors, if we were to sit back and take things easy, we might miss an opportunity to begin a new relationship or to be a prayerful presence for someone seeking a community where they might explore and experience the love of God. Being a prayerful presence is not just the role of the priest, deacon, or greeter. It is a shared role we must all strive to embrace. Nothing says you re not welcome here more than to be noticed and then ignored. I would like us to try an experiment this summer; let each of us try and learn the name and story of at least one other person who visits or goes to CHS who we don t already know. By the way, don t forget to share your name and story with them. In fact, why don t we try and learn about one other person a month during June, July, and August. By the start of the fall program in September we might just find we have some new relationships that strengthen us and our community. In doing so, we might just help a visitor to find a new parish family or help one of our own parishioners feel more at home. This month s Third Sunday Ministries is the Battered Women s Shelter. Toiletries are always needed for these women who may have left home with nothing. Third Sunday Ministries is a community service program where CHS parishioners collect items for different local charities. The first Sunday of the month the charity is announced and on the third Sunday the collection box is placed in the parish hall. All items collected are taken to the chosen charity and distributed through their programs. 2

3 Recognition Sunday Congratulations to all our graduates; especially Elic Chisam, Mike Gearhart, Crystal Kunkel, and Alyssa Weilandt who graduated from High School, Cole Chisam, Nathan Fredrickson, and Ali Clark, who graduated from College; Shawna Fredrickson who competed her Master s Degree; Joan Wood, who completed her studies at the Kemper School for Ministry, Linda Blinston who completed her final year of Education for Ministry (EFM), and all those who accomplished so much. Let us not forget to say congratulations to those who supported our students in their journeys. Youth Group Car Wash Thanks to Lisa Weilandt who helped manage our Spring Youth Group car wash and our youth team: Lexi, Kayla, and Kelsey Blinston, Jillian Pekarek, and Daunte and Darius Hagen. With your help, our youth raised a total of $ that will go into the youth mission fund and will help those who worked go on mission or camp. Thank you for your support. SPIRIT Event We hoped for a little bigger turnout for our third Spirit Event. However, those who attended enjoyed a great pot luck and an evening of oldies Trivial Pursuit. With summer pool parties and movie nights, our next Spirit Night will be Friday, September 18 th. If you have any ideas for themes or how to make these events appeal to a wider audience, please contact Marcia Adams. 3

4 J2A Graduates Several youth from our parish took the next step in their faith journey during a service held at St. Luke s in Plattsmouth last month. Three of our youth, Kayla Blinston, Michael Gearhart, and Della Wilson all completed the program and during the service shared briefly the faith they claimed as their own by reading a Creed they developed during the last year of Journeys. They then helped guide and encourage those moving from J2A to YAC, and those completing the first part of their journey moving from Right 13 to J2A. It was a wonderful service and the weather held off long enough for all to enjoy the evening. Special thanks to Jennifer Moffett and all of our adult mentors who journey with our youth each week. If you are turning 12 years old or entering 6 th grade, we would like you to join us on Wednesday evening s beginning in September. If you are an adult who wants to help, please contact Jennifer over the summer to find out where your passions meet the youth s needs. Werner Park We are at it again. With two Werner Park nights under our belt, we are excited to wear the CHS visor and let our service be seen in the community. We don t have any nights in June, but we have one on Thursday, July 2 nd. This is promised to be a big night at the ballpark as it includes Fireworks. As always, once the carts are closed down, volunteers are welcome to stay and enjoy the rest of the game and entertainment. Check out our summer dates on the clipboard table. Movie Nights Our first movie night was the same night as our Mobile Food Pantry last month. We have at least three more nights planned on Saturday June 20 th, July 18 th, and Aug 15 th. We run a film for all ages and one for a slightly older crowd. If you have a favorite movie you think others would enjoy, let Fr. Tom know and we can add it to the playlist. 4

5 Pentecost celebration Last month was the annual Pentecost celebration. We had a lot of folks wear red and the food during coffee hour was a bright red too. Thank you to all who joined in the festivities and helped make our parish feast day such a special day. Regional Confirmations Saturday May 30 th at Trinity Cathedral, Kyle Culp took part in the Bishop s Spring Regional Confirmation service as he made his own mature public affirmation of their faith. Community Rewards Program Baker's, and the Dillon Family of Stores, which are in three states and 85 stores, are giving away $2 Million to non-profit organizations. Church of the Holy Spirit would like to get a percentage of that. All that you have to do is enroll your Baker's Plus card in the Community Rewards Program, enter Church of the Holy Spirit as your designated organization, and then shop as normal at Baker's by having your Baker's Plus card swiped as you would for their Fuel Rewards program. If you don't already have an online account with Baker's, then you will need to set one up. You will need an address and your Baker's Plus card number. Go to communityrewards and click on "Create Account" to create an online account or click on "Sign In" if you already have an account. After signing in, you are able to "Enroll Now." Select Church of the Holy Spirit in Bellevue or enter our 5 digit number that has been assigned to us. How much will we make? It depends. This is where math gets involved. Each quarter, Baker's will take the total amount (in qualifying purchases) spent by our supporters who are enrolled and divide that by the total amount spent by all supporters who are enrolled and get a percentage. They will take that percentage and multiply it by $500,000 and send us out a check for that amount. So if we spend even just 0.1% of all the people enrolled in the program, then they will send us a check for $500. How can we make more? Invite your friends, neighbors and relatives who shop at Baker's to enroll their cards and designate Church of the Holy Spirit as their organization. Enrolling will not affect Fuel Saver Points, digital coupons or discounts. Watch the Sunday bulletin and the Weekly Spark for Sign-Up Sundays if you need help getting enrolled. Help will be available during coffee hours and between services. If you have questions, please see Sharon Jones. 5

6 Swim Nights We have once again reserved the Cascio Pool for family fun over the summer. The dates we have planned are June 5, 26 and July 11, 25. This year, let s bring back the pot luck. Bring your own entrée to the pool at 6:30 and bring something to share and let s have a meal together before swimming begins at 7pm. This is a great opportunity to bring friends and neighbors to do church together without going to church. Joan s Ordination If you haven t heard (not sure how that would be possible) Joan Wood will be ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Church during a service here at CHS on Saturday, June 13 th, beginning at 6:30 pm. Please join Bishop Barker, and clergy from across the Omaha area, as we celebrate this next step on Joan s journey of faith. A reception will follow. If you would like to help us prepare the parish for such a wonderful event, please contact Lynda Wyant or Charlotte Austin. Summer Worship & Summer Book Club We will be continuing to offer Wednesday morning service at 9:30 this summer. It will be either Holy Communion or Morning Prayer depending on staffing. CHS is offering an opportunity for some fun and thought provoking reading this summer. The first book, Hobbit Lessons, A Map for Life s Unexpected Journeys by Devin Brown. We will meet at 10:15 on Wednesday mornings in the conference room and at 9:30 on Sundays in the library. The first meeting will be on June 3, The book can be ordered through Amazon or we will have 5 books available for purchase at the church. The book, if ordered through Amazon is $9.99. Please contact Kim Culp or Joan Wood for more information. 6

7 Rummage Sale If you haven t done so, clean out those closets, look in the dark corners of your basement, and bring whatever you don t need any more to the church for our annual Rummage Sale (June 12-13). This is always a great time to interact with the local community who typically lines up outside the doors waiting for us to open. If you have time to help set up, or tear down, or work during the event, please contact Karen Gray. General Convention Later this month, Fr. Tom will head to Salt Lake City as part of the diocesan team participating in the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Every three years, members of the church gather to look at where the church has been and where it is going. This year, we will elect a new Presiding Bishop, look at proposals for change to the national church structure, review proposals before the Church on the environment, social justice, and its understanding on the theology of marriage. Issues of funding and outreach will be of particular note as the Church decides how best it can share the good news of Jesus Christ in the world. How can you follow the discussions and decisions? Visit and read the daily comments posted. If a diocesan blog is offered (as has been done in the past) we will get the word out through The Spark. Please keep our Church in your prayers during the Convention (June 22-July 3) and while our delegates travel to and from Salt Lake. 7

8 Mission Rosebud Last call for those interested in going to Rosebud this summer. Registration ends on June 10 th. If you are 12 years old or older and would like to go, register on the diocesan website by clicking on the registration link found at: Scholarship funds are still available to CHS Youth who wish to go. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Tom. Virtual Community Over the summer, we will be looking at how we can expand our presence in the virtual community through posting and inviting. While this may not seem real to some, it has become one of the fastest growing forms of evangelism and enabled churches to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in ways and to people never before imagined. Would you like to help us figure out how to do this? If so, talk with Fr. Tom and mark your calendars to join him for a discussion on this topic mid-july. Watch The Spark for a date and time for this gathering. Adult Formation Suggestions During June and July, Fr. Tom is soliciting input on what types of adult formation people would like to have here at CHS beginning in the fall. A suggestion box has been placed on the clipboard table. Please use the sheets provided to let him know your thoughts. If you have any additional thoughts on a possible Lenten program, please make sure to slip it in the box along with any other recommendations. Registration is now open for this year s Diocesan summer camp (July 20-24). At a new location (near Fremont) youth from across the diocese gather not only to enjoy each other s company doing fun stuff like riding down zip lines, swimming in the outdoor pool, playing human foosball, sitting and singing around bonfires and more; but also spend some time connecting to Jesus and exploring their faith in really neat ways. For details check out the flier on the Chapel hallway bulletin board or speak with Jennifer Moffett. Scholarship funds are available for youth who wish to attend. To register, visit 8

9 CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT VESTRY MEETING May 14, 2015 Present: Fr. Tom Jones (via Skype & cell phone), Vic Culp, Leslie Nutting, Linda Blinston, Dave Conley, Bob Richter, Judy Darrell, Corey Hagen, Terri Storm, and Melanie Ennen, Vestry recorder. Linda Blinston opened meeting with a prayer at 6:32 pm. Vic Culp gave Financial Reports Overview-Nothing startling, EOG dropped to 78%, remarking this is a little low but not alarming. Over all income at 89%. Expenditures for year-to-date at 91%, this includes the $2,400 designated savings (contingency savings). We are $950 in the red for the year. Checking account balance (operational):$16,000 Changes in Equity- FHFO: Some funds moved ($2,800) for Karen Sterzer medical bills. $2,800 moved out of ministry for nursery and some for the sidewalk repairs and stump removal. $8,300 moved from Endowment Fund for grant requests previously approved Vic Culp moved to approve financial reports as presented Linda Blinston 2 nd, all approved. Vic Culp moved to pay bills Linda Blinston 2 nd, all approved. OLD BUSINESS Webmercial Update: All slides complete, ready for voice-over talents, should be done this month. Secret Visitor Program: Between Jun 1 st and Aug 31 st, Vestry is asked to attend other (preferably Episcopal) Churches in the area to see how they welcome visitors and see if we can get ideas to better our efforts. Survey to use is available and was passed out to members. Mention was made to visit a church at which members might not be known. Joan wood s Ordination: This is taking place here at CHS on Saturday, June 13 th at 6:30 pm. Choir working on music, there is a tea being held here by ladies group and a luncheon for her at a private home by invite. Bishop Scott barker will be at CHS, along with clergy from all over the Diocese to help celebrate. Pre-Event clean-up is recommended. NEW BUSINESS Rummage Sale: Starting date for drop-off of items for sale is Monday, May 18 th. Items that are acceptable/not accepted are in weekly bulletin. Items will be stored in Christian Education room. Lots of muscle is needed for successful event, both set-up and clean-up. Diocesan Recommendation: Healthy parishes have been encouraged by the diocese to raise the deductible on their insurance and lower their premiums. They also asked that parishes set aside the $1,000 for the next two years as a precaution. Discussion on the recommendation took place and Terri Storm motioned that we accept the recommendation and Dave Conley seconded, all approved, motion passed. Fr. Tom will be on mission Trip at Rosebud from June th with 14 or 15 youth, still looking for more adults to join. Fr. Tom will be at General Convention June 22-July 3 rd. Fill-in clergy will be here while he is out. Fr Tom will take two days off: July 6 & 7. Will be on vacation July 27. Fr Tom will supply clergy for one of the Sundays I will be gone, working on the second Sunday. Motion to adjourn by Terri Storm, 2 nd, Judy Darrell. Vic Culp gave closing prayer. Meeting wrapped up at 7:03 pm. 9

10 Financial Report as of April 30, 2015 Actual Budgeted YTD Actual YTD Budget Pledged $ 13, $ 16, $ 59, $ 67, Other Inc. $ 1, $ 2, $ 7, $ 8, Total Inc $ 14,421,14 $ 19, $ 66, $ 76, Expenses $ 19, $ 18, $ 68, $ 75, "Who is it?" answers by row and left to right Row 1: Karen Gray, Linda Blinston, Vic Culp, Marcia Adams Row 2: Father Tom, Gary Gray, Dave Scarborough, Kim Culp, Charlotte Austin Row 3: Joan Olander, Chris Darrell, Jan Sinram, Glenna McVey Row 4: Judy Darrell, Sharon Jones, Beth Scarborough, Dean Olander 10

11 JUNE LAY MINISTRIES SCHEDULE Ministries June 7 June 14 June 21 June 28 Coffee Hosts 8am 10:30am Greeters Sat 5pm Sun 8am 10:30am Ushers 10:30am VPOD C Hagen T Storm D Conley B Richter Altar Guild TBD Team 1 Fr Tom S & J Wood D & J Olander B Wilson V Culp J Wood S Scarbrough K Culp T Conley TBD Team 2 Fr Tom S & J Wood G & K Gray TBD Team 3 Fr Tom D Adams/ S Wood J Herring N Beitenman TBD Team 4 J Wood J & S Wood J & P Parsons J & P Strecker G & K Gray C Darrell D Olander L Blinston T Wingert K Smith S Jones C Austin J Sinram M Kunkel K Leigh J Mellor S Vassar J Olander B Scarborough Altar Bread L Lentsch L Lentsch L Lentsch L Lentsch LEVs K Culp J Wood K Culp J Wood J Sinram K Gomeringer D McVey G McVey LEM Sat 5pm A Yäger K Smith A Yäger K Smith 8:00am Lessons Prayers R Sanders S Howard S Russell-Heller C Austin T Storm H Tarleton R Sanders C Kunkel 10:30am Lessons Prayers K Gomeringer V Cummings K Culp T Storm J Wilson J Sinram V Cummings M Hagen Acolytes 8:00am 10:30am Team 1 Team 3 D Wilson G Wilson E Wilson Team 2 Team 6 S Chisam B Richter W Richter Team 1 Team 4 K Culp M Storm C Marks Team 1 Team 5 D Hagen D Hagen I Hagen Please submit articles for the July 2015 issue of The FLAME to the church office by June 12th. Thank you! UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS! Swim Night - June 5 [time to be announced} Rummage Sale - June 12 & 13 Joan s Ordination - June Rosebud Mission - June Family Movie Night - June 6:30pm VBS - June

12 Regular Services: Saturday: Sunday: Education: Office Hours: 5:00 pm Holy Eucharist (chapel) 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite 1 (church) Nursery from 9:00 11:30 am 10:30 am Holy Eucharist (church) Wednesday: 9:30 am Holy Eucharist / Morning Prayer (chapel) Sunday: 9:30 am Book Club ( Library) Wednesday: 10:30 am Book Club (Conference Room) Monday Thursday: Friday: 9:00 am 3:00 pm 9:00 am Noon Rector s Day Off: Friday The Flame is a monthly production of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Episcopal, in Bellevue, Nebraska. We welcome all stories, pictures, and suggestions, but must reserve the right to choose what we can print. Please send articles and pictures to CHS Admin at holyspirit@chsepiscopal.org. The next deadline for submitting news is June 12th. Webpage: holyspirit@chsepiscopal.org The Flame Newsletter of The Church of the Holy Spirit - Episcopal 1305 Thomas Drive Bellevue, NE