COB Divided or United? District Conference and Compelling Vision

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1 Envoy Volume 29, No. 10 November 2018 COB Divided or United? District Conference and Compelling Vision by Dennis Lohr Palmyra Church of the Brethren Gathered in an atmosphere of carefulness and respect, delegates of this fall s District Conference struggled to discern corporately the mind of Christ regarding a policy for dealing with pastors who officiate same sex marriages and a procedure for congregations that wish to leave the denomination. Both items, requiring a two-thirds majority vote, failed to pass. Within a few percentage points, the voting demonstrated a district that is pretty evenly split. Not much has changed in that regard in our denomination in almost three and a half decades. If our unity is based on finding agreement about the things we disagree most about, then we are and will remain a divided district and denomination. The Compelling Vision process offers another way forward, inviting us to focus on the things we can agree on. The Compelling Vision process is a denomination led, district coordinated, and grassroots fed, conversation designed to rediscover our unity. We are hosting one such conversation on Saturday, November 10, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. We anticipate and welcome participants from surrounding and diverse COB congregations, as we gather to share, listen, discern, and hope together. Please join us! An RSVP on the district website will help coordinators plan appropriately. Go to and look under the Events/Registration tab for the Compelling Vision - Palmyra link to register.

2 2 Congregational Updates! Please note these new contacts & contact changes: Elaine Burns: 44 Sycamore Drive, Apt. 326, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, (home), (cell) Russ & Marti Grubb: 1299 Grubb Road, Palmyra, PA, same phone Miriam Runkle: 8 Community Circle, Palmyra, PA Robert and Cindy Teets: 532 Sassafras Drive, Lebanon, PA 17042, , cteets64@gmail.com Donald & Cathy Martin: 19 Gentry Drive #2, Palmyra, PA 17078, , dem8778@gmail.com Congratulations to Allen & Alicia Brieve on the birth of their daughter, Sadie Lynn on October 2. The very proud grandparents are Greg and Diane Summers, and great-grandparents are Roy and Jean Summers. Andy & Bethany Hoffer on the birth of their son, Victor Lee, on October 12. The very happy grandparents are Steve & Elaine Hoffer. Please pray for the health concerns for the following persons: Samantha Auer, Sam Brandt, Sarah Brandt, Andy Cantrell, Alma Heisey, Judy Jurell, Dave Lohrer, Shirley Martin, Steve Scriniere, Lois Seaman, Sondria Shaub, Greg Smith, Phil Smith, Junior Waybright, and Art Zellers. Please Extend sympathy to the family of Sam Gingrich who passed away on October 22. Mark your calendars! Congregational Council Meeting Sunday, November 11, 1:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Important items of business include affirming the 2019 slate of officers, approval of the 2019 budget, and a state of the church reported by Dennis Lohr. COMING: Caring Cupboard Dinner & Silent Auction Friday, November 2 Doors open at 5 p.m., Dinner at 6 p.m. At the Hershey Lodge Individuals are $75 and tables of 8 are $500. Sponsorship opportunities are available. We ll have fun and raise funds through a silent auction, basket raffles, and more! Advent is a time for engaging God s word and grounding ourselves in the hope of the kingdom rather than personal wishes and desires. This season examine the words and actions of both the prophets and the central figures in the Christmas story, and rediscover the gift of waiting in patient expectation for God's ultimate promise, Jesus. Wait and Hope, by Rhonda Pittman Gingrich, is the 2018 Advent Devotional from Brethren Press that we will be distributing free of charge. Copies will be placed in church mail slots, mailed upon request, or available in the Welcome Center.

3 3 Library News The following titles are new to the library collection. Nonfiction: Love Let Go (A church in Chicago decides how to distribute an unexpected financial windfall.) by Laura Truax and Amalya Campbell You Will Not Have My Hate (The author, who lost his wife in a terrorist attack in France, writes an open letter to the terrorists.) by Antoine Leiris Deep and Wide: Hospitality and the Faithful Church by Steve Clapp, Fred Bernhard and Ed Bontrager The Anabaptist Story by William Estep Penn s Example to the Nations: 300 Years of the Holy Experiment edited by Robert Crist From Just War to Just Peace (Stories from the Decade to Overcome Violence) by Donald E. Miller Love is an Orientation by Andrew Marin Always my Child (Parents guide to understanding your GLBTQ child) by Kevin Jennings What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality by Daniel Helminiak, Ph.D. For Life is a Journey by Ralph G. McFadden Titles dealing with the loss of a loved one: Gone but Not Lost by David W. Wiersbe Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff Discovering Grace in Grief (Gospel-based help) by James L. Mayfield Final Gifts by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley Fiction: Warrior s Song by Judith Pella Children: The Seagoing Cowboy (Child s version of the history of Heifer Project) by Peggy R. Miller Serving In November November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 Head Usher John Rhine John Rhine John Rhine John Rhine Offering Usher James Hartman James Hartman James Hartman James Hartman Greeter Russ & Sue Collins Russ & Sue Collins Russ & Sue Collins Russ & Sue Collins Flowers Miriam Runkle NA NA NA Worship Nursery Lori Faiola Michele Gottshall Shila & Derek Ulrich Michele Gottshall Samantha Auer Elaine Hoffer Sharon Smith Worship Childcare Brenda Heisey Samantha Auer Lori Walmer Donna Fawber Via Jeanie Small Sherry Baiocchi Betty Smith Shirley Spahr Sunday School Nursery Melanie Hartman Jeanine Houff Cindy Bortner Cindy Weatherholtz Michele Gottshall Andy Hoffer Shila & Derek Ulrich

4 4 Social Responsibility Isn t Cheap, the Sequel You might recall the article of the above title, published in an earlier Envoy. It spoke of the idea of PCoB using fair trade (which is more expensive) coffee as a way of helping small scale, often disadvantaged farmers escape poverty. And now that your memory has been refreshed, you re probably wondering what ever happened with that suggestion. Nothing. Yet. No one offered to purchase fair trade coffee even for one Sunday s Fellowship 30. But perhaps that was because there were no prices noted in the article. Well, we ve got a price for you now! Kerry Burkholder, owner of 3J s Coffee Shop here in town, has offered to provide Fairly Traded coffee to PCoB at a reduced cost of $9.00 for a 12 ounce bag. That should be enough coffee to cover one morning s Fellowship 30. Decaf is available at the same price and should last longer since a smaller quantity of that is made. Now that you know the cost, if you are interested in providing socially responsible coffee for your church family, please speak to a member of the Peace Action Team (Steve Bortner, Marilyn Baker, Cheryl Guerrisi, Bonnie Rhoads). One of them can make the purchase. Your generosity will even be noted in the bulletin, should you so choose. And why not stop by 3J s to thank Kerry and have a delicious breakfast or lunch while you re at it?!.peace Action Team On Sunday, November 18, Harvest Home Sunday will be celebrated by sharing our food wealth with those in our community who do not always have enough to eat. You are invited to bring canned goods and other non-perishable products for the Caring Cupboard and place them in the Welcome Center beginning in early November. All the food collected will be displayed in the Sanctuary and dedicated on November 18 with delivery to the Caring Cupboard the next day. These are the items suggested for donation by the Sunday school classes, study groups, and individuals: Children and Youth - Canned Vegetables Young Adult - Bath Tissue JOY Class - Canned Meats, especially 5-ounce cans of tuna LIFE Class - Canned Fruits New Beginnings Class - Canned Fruits Individuals - Fresh Fruits and Vegetables If you wish to donate frozen turkeys, other frozen items or perishable foods, please deliver these items to the Caring Cupboard at 131 North Railroad, Palmyra. Food donations are accepted on: Mondays from 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon Thank you! The Outreach Team

5 The youth will be selling Homemade Christmas Cookies again this Christmas season! An order form can be found in the Welcome Center. Orders can also be made by contacting any of our youth or advisors. All orders should be made by Sunday, November 11th so that our wonderful volunteer bakers have time to plan their baking! Cookies will be ready for pick up during the Christmas Breakfast & Open House on Saturday, December 1st from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and the following Sunday morning during Fellowship 30. Paper Products PCOB, at the urging of its members, has been purchasing compostable paper products and cups for use at all church events. While environmentally friendly, the compostable products cost twice what normal products of the same quantity do. In light of the continued growing expense and growing use of the products, Fellowship & Stewardship teams have decided that action needs to take place. The three potential solutions that have been offered are below: 1. Use the dishes PCOB already owns and form a team that is responsible for washing them weekly. 2. Take a collection as compostable paper products are in need of purchase to help offset the cost. 3. If option 1 & 2 are not supported highly enough. Purchase everyday paper products that are not compostable. 4. We would like your input and support on what to do moving forward with the recognition that we can't continue to operate as we are. We would like to implement any changes starting January 1, Please see Lisa Gingrich or Andrew Hoffer with any questions or suggestions. Thank you The Fellowship & Stewardship Teams Your Legacy Family, Church, Charity It is better to give AND receive. Learn how on November 18. The Stewardship Team will be welcoming Jim Gill of Thrivent Financial into our midst to help us explore ways in which financial planning can help your generosity shine through. The presentation has no strings attached and is open to all interested individuals. It doesn t matter if you are an accountant, pastor, engineer, or a farmer. It doesn t matter if you just joined the work force, are retired, or somewhere in between. There is no better time than now to be thinking about enriching the futures of those people and causes that are near and dear to your heart. The presentation is not strictly about estate planning, nor is its sole focus on those who haven t begun planning out their financial future at all. There are ways in which you can actively pursue maximizing the potential of your resources no matter the size right now. Who wouldn t want to receive benefits and be able to give them to those we care for all at the same time? Please come out and discover ways to live generously and ensure your legacy lives on those touched by it will be forever grateful. The event is November 18 in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch will be provided starting at noon and the presentation will follow. - The Stewardship Team 5

6 6 By Jeff Clouser, Director of Music Come join us we need your help! Canticle Bells - Bass bell and substitute ringers needed! Chancel Choir - Tenor voices welcomed! Praise Team - Looking for a percussionist! Men's Ensemble will rehearse Wednesday, Nov 28th, Dec 5, 12, 19 at 6:15 p.m. The musical selection will be offered Sunday, December 30th. More male voices are always welcomed especially tenors. The Children/Youth will be singing or playing jingle bells with the Chancel Choir during worship on Sunday, December 16. They will rehearse at the start of their education hour in November and December. If your child is interested in singing, please make sure they join us on any or all of the Sunday's leading up to & including December 16. Reminder Praise Team, Chancel Choir, and Canticle Bells will be on break the week of November 19th in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. For more information about the Music Ministry at PCoB, please pick up one of our Music Ministry brochures located outside the choir room at the bulletin board. Opportunities to be in community with one another: PCoB Christmas Music Sunday - December 16, 2018 at 9 a.m. Palmyra Community Band Concert - Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. Holy Week Taizé Service - Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Lancaster Brass Quintet in Concert - Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. You are invited to worship and reflect on the Love, Trust, and Hope of God with prayers, meditations, and musical responses from the Taizé tradition. Sunday, November 4, 7:00 p.m. In the Sanctuary Taizé

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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 December 2018 Envoy is November 9, articles to envoy@palmyracob.org Please include the month the article is to be published.