Norwalk Christian News

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Norwalk Christian News"

Annabelle West
5 years ago
Views:

Norwalk Christian News Norwalk Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) September 1, 2015 The Outreach Committee would like

After contacting them, the usual backpacks and the types of supplies that fill them are not needed, but there are other

They are kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, child size headphones (no ear buds) and financial donations that will be

1 Norwalk Christian News Norwalk Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) September 1, 2015 The Outreach Committee would like to invite you to donate to the schools. After contacting them, the usual backpacks and the types of supplies that fill them are not needed, but there are other items they would like to have us collect. They are kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, child size headphones (no ear buds) and financial donations that will be used to help HS students with PE clothes, graduation items, school lunches and etc. There is a collection table in the Fellowship Hall. Financial donations can be given to Travis, Marti, Chris, Becky Darnell, or placed in the offering plates with notation that it is for the school drive.

That when you walk into our church building, there was always someone at the door both services to welcome you, show you the way, hand you a bulletin, and learn your name.

2 Pastor Travis Thoughts Hospitality Ministry Beautiful People, Back in July, I preached a sermon on Hospitality and Kindness. In the sermon I asked, What would happen if, in Norwalk, we were known as the church that shows hospitality? That when you walk into our church building, there was always someone at the door both services to welcome you, show you the way, hand you a bulletin, and learn your name. (And if you d like to volunteer to do that, let me know!) Two experiences this weekend help bring home, again, the need for us to continue to find ways to be more hospitable. First, this past Sunday, we had visitors at worship, but they were not greeted at the door. They soon found friendly NCC members to help them and had a good visit, but no one was there to say hello when they walked in. They had to wander around in order to find the rest of us. What if someone was standing there, holding the door open for them, saying Welcome to Norwalk Christian Church! as they were handed a bulletin? The second experience happened on Saturday. During the day, we hosted two wedding showers for couples that we will be marrying next month. Both showers had a lot of people who had never been in our church building before. Our church is always eager to host such events, opening up our facility to our community (because, really, it is not our building at all). However, I realized this weekend that more needs to be done to ensure that we are a hospitable, welcoming place. During the second wedding shower, the fellowship hall got hot and the A/C was not turned on properly. Marti or I were away and did not know of the problem, and our guests did not know how to access the thermostat, so they had to continue on with their shower in an 80 degree room. I felt so bad about it because these were all community guests, whose first experience at NCC was an 80 degree wedding shower. What if someone had been there to welcome the wedding shower, ensure all lights and the A/C was on, and provided a phone number to call if anything was needed? Both of these stories got me thinking...how can we better show hospitality to our guests, those who show up on Sunday and those who use our facility at other times? On Monday, I started writing, and this is what I came up with: Continued on next page

Hospitality Ministry at NCC Purpose: to provide the frontline of hospitality to everyone who enters Norwalk Christian Church, so that they know they are welcomed and loved.

3 Hospitality Ministry at NCC Purpose: to provide the frontline of hospitality to everyone who enters Norwalk Christian Church, so that they know they are welcomed and loved. Service Opportunities: Recruit and serve as greeters for all worship services, providing at least one person at each entrance to open the door and welcome everyone, handing them the worship bulletin. Additionally, have at least two additional greeters inside the Fellowship hall to welcome visitors and direct to nursery, Sunday School, Sanctuary, etc. Serve as hosts for building usage events such as baby and wedding showers, weddings and graduation parties. Unlock building, turn on lights and air/heat. Lock building and turn off lights and air/heat. Provide contact info for any emergencies during the event. Coordinate Coffee Fellowship times after worship, making sure sign-up sheet is filled for every Sunday, and help with any vacancies. Assist as needed for set-up and service (allowing some who want to prepare food but not serve the opportunity). This is a rough draft and it s nothing official. Yet. But I wonder if some of you reading this might hear in these words a call to serve. Are you gifted with being hospitable? Could you help organize others in this ministry or serve as an event host or door greeter? Don t assume someone else will volunteer--we need you. The ministry is not hard. The main skills required are a smile and a willingness to answer questions and help others. But what a blessing you will receive by sharing the peace of Christ with all who enter this place! Out to Lunch Bunch Sept. 9th Baratta s Café at the State Historical Building Following lunch will be a tour of the State Historical Building on September 9th, bus will leave the church parking lot at 11:00 a.m. Please sign-up in the Fellowship Hall if you plan to attend.

4 VOLUNTEER HELP WANTED Church Marquee Changer We are in need of a volunteer to change our church marquee along Main Street regularly, as needed. The pastors will provide you with what needs to be put on the sign. All we need is someone willing to do the work in a timely way. Data Entry Help Needed We are beginning the process of updating our church member records, collecting additional information, confirming correct information, and transferring it all into a spreadsheet format. But we need help! Do you have basic computer skills? Would you be willing to volunteer a few hours to create and clean up church member records, until our update is complete? If you are able to help in one of the above ways, please contact the church office or a pastor. Thank you! Love from Pastor Marti... Forgiven people, life with you is harmoniously beautiful. Yes, it is complex and quirky at times. Yes, it is messy and acts like a cowlick at times. But this life together I wouldn t trade for all the world. I m currently waiting on a couple to arrive in my office. When they arrive we ll be discussing healthy expectations of marriage. To ensure that couples know there will be good times and there will be rough patches. Relationships that last go through a variety of seasons. I know we haven t been here all that long, but I enjoy life with you. I see you mowing the church lawn, weeding the flowerbeds, and pruning the trees. I see you cleaning the kitchen, organizing closets, and repairing the bus. I see you teaching classes, praying for your neighbor, and gathering school supplies. I ve seen you shed tears at funerals, weddings, and baby blessings. I have seen you welcome visitors, give someone your seat, and show someone the way. You are beautiful people. And I love living life with you. Be good to yourself and be good to others. Love & Peace, Pastor Marti

The youth ministry is back in full school year force!

We have such great kids that work together so well! I am so proud of all of them.

You may have even seen them on IPTV helping Sarah put butter on the Monopoly game piece sculptures.

5 The youth ministry is back in full school year force! This past Wednesday night the youth gathered to prepare food for Meals from the Heartland. We have such great kids that work together so well! I am so proud of all of them. Our CYF & Chi Rho Wednesday night meals and class will resume next Wednesday, September 2nd. A meal sign-up sheet is located at Sign-Up Central. Our children had a great time learning all about the Butter Cow from our own Sarah Pratt. You may have even seen them on IPTV helping Sarah put butter on the Monopoly game piece sculptures. Our kids then enjoyed a relaxing swim in Kate Raun s pool. A big thank you to Sarah for the backstage pass, Kate for full access pool usage, and Marky D for driving the bus! Our JYF and Dinky Disciples afterschool programs will resume on Tuesday, September 8th. Be on the lookout for this year s calendar of events!

Hop on the Bus, Gus We have owned our bus for about two and one half years now and after two years of having pretty much maintenance free operation we have some needs that our bus, as any older

6 Hop on the Bus, Gus We have owned our bus for about two and one half years now and after two years of having pretty much maintenance free operation we have some needs that our bus, as any older vehicle does, need attending to in the weeks ahead. Before the trip to General Assembly and Mission Trip we had to do a complete break job on the front and rear wheels, we had no option than to have this work performed for all of the obvious reasons. While on the trip, the air conditioner units began to have problems so upon returning to Des Moines this work has been done and the cost being adopted by a caring member. We have been getting the bus maintenance done by Absolute Repair in Cumming and they have given us a list of things that should be done to the bus in the coming months, perhaps you may feel called to adopt one of these needs so we can count on trouble free use of the bus in the months ahead. Alternator drive belt and tensioner Estimated cost $ Shocks and Strut assembly Estimated cost $ Rear leaf springs and bushings Estimated cost $ Batteries Estimated cost $ (this one is the most likely to be needed first) Thanks to all of you for all that you do for NCC! Norwalk School District Bus Driver Opening Norwalk Schools is needing to hire a bus driver for a regular AM and PM route. The School also needs substitute bus drivers, substitute teacher associates, substitute cooks and substitute teachers. Applicants can apply online at by clicking on "Employment". For assistance contact the main office at

Junior High and High School youth are welcome to join us at 7:30 following their youth groups.

7 Summer is 'officially' over with school starting and our church programs busy with activities. The Chancel Choir rehearsals are begun and it is fun to reunite with our 'choir family' after the summer break. Would love to have more folks join us on Wed. nights 7-8:00 in the sanctuary. Junior High and High School youth are welcome to join us at 7:30 following their youth groups. Kim Ward By Kim Ward The Chancel Bell Choir has also started rehearsing at 8-9:00 pm on Wednesdays downstairs in the Bell Room. If interested in joining us please let me know. It is a very strange (but wonderful) feeling with school starting and I am not part of it. This will be my 1st "real" feeling of retiring from teaching after 35 years. I was sent a great prayer for the start of school on Facebook and thought you would enjoy it. It is blended with humor so please beware. I believe God enjoys and has a sense of humor. Just look at all of the crazy humans he created!! - BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYER God of the weird, wonderful world -- make the young minds curious and creative, and fill them with awe. Yes even for math, we pray. Thank you, God, for the village: thank you for the teachers, the neighbors, and the parents of their friends; thank you for the nurses, bus drivers, secretaries and custodians who keep them healthy, safe and keep the areas clean and attractive. Thank you, Lord, for the strong network of love and care that surrounds our young ones; for the power of good influences; and for all the extra sets of caring eyes out there in the world. Send your Spirit, Lord; to the band room, the soccer field and the science lab; to the dance studio, the art class and debate practice; to the stage and the student council elections and wherever else these amazing young people discover the gifts and talents that you have given them. Give them the courage to share those gifts with the world, even if that one mean kid calls them a nerd, or a jock, or some other word that we old people don't know yet, but that no one wants to be, for sure. About mean girls; may they not know them. May they not BE them. continued

8 Regarding buffoonish boys who do not know how to treat a lady or deal with anyone who is different; may they not be them. And may they not have to sit by them in homeroom. Let there be no guns or drugs, God. We will ask you this one again, every day. And every day we will wonder if you are listening. And every day you will wonder the same about us. Let's keep in touch. Where there is overwhelming color-blindness- let them be askers of hard questions. Where there is war and anger- give them voices of compassion and peace. Where there is constant noise which ear buds constantly in their ears-- let them enjoy silence. Please allow them to be comfortable in their own skin. Bless those teachers, God. Shield them from helicopter parents, and kids who just can't understand the importance of learning (or sitting still). Restore their spirits from the demands of staff development and standardized testing. Fill them with the joy that led them to this calling, and may their espresso drinks be plentiful, strong and topped with whipped cream. May lunch be free of gross slimy stuff; and may lunch to free for all who need it to be. Let there be freedom from rigid norms and impossible expectations of body type and wardrobe labels. Let it just all be cool so that bullies will get bored and just go read a book already. After which they will no longer be bullies because books tend to do that to people. Who knew. And finally- protect our kids from the texting-driving people who need to keep their eyes and minds on the road. And let us as parents and adults set good examples in the parking lots and in the bleachers. It seems like there should be so much more, but it is only the first week of school, God. We'll be back later. Amen. 30 & 1 Group The 30 & 1 group will meet Saturday, September 5, 6:00pm at the church for games. Everyone is welcome.

9 Financial Update By Gary Fox In my July update, I advised that our level of giving, the year to date deficit, and the unrestricted funds balance were all well below the adopted budget levels. Things have not changed much since then, with July giving at $14,850. However, at the July board meeting, the board approved a recommendation from the Stewardship & Finance Committee to move a major bus expense ($2,557 for new brakes) from the general budget to the special Capital Improvements category, since the bus is a major church asset. This accounting move reduced the July expenses to $14,187 which was just under the amount of giving and reduced our year-to-date deficit somewhat, to $15,757. At the August board meeting, the board approved another S&F recommendation to reduce the amount paid from the general budget into the Capital Improvements fund each month from the current $1, to $750, beginning with August. Because of the wonderful response to the roof fundraising, this fund has a current balance of just over $9,500 and will continue to increase the rest of the year, with a small amount of pledges still to come in and the ongoing $750 per month. The reduction in the payments will help reduce our expenses and hopefully help rebuild our reserves. S&F and the Board are closely reviewing our financial status, but there are not a lot of easy options remaining. We need to increase our general giving or our deficit will continue to increase and our reserves continue to shrink. Last year, with very strong giving in Nov and Dec, giving increased from $92,747 for the first 6 months to $110,433 for the final 6 months. We need a similar great response this year. So please consider whether you can increase your giving, either by increasing your regular amount or by making a one-time gift, or even plan some other way to help meet our financial needs. Electronic giving might be a great way to help keep your giving steady, even if you can t be there that week or month. If you have questions about this program please contact the church office. Continued on next page Electronic Donation Enrollment Forms To get enrolled for electronic donations, please pick up an enrollment form in the Fellowship Hall in the media stand. The forms can be placed in the offering tray or in the church office mail box.

10 Financial Graph Information Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Mo Budget $19,717 $19,717 $19,717 $19,717 $19,717 $19,717 $19,717 Mo Exp $18,017 $19,144 $17,988 $16,600 $22,691 $22,002 $14,187 Mo Giving $14,853 $13,490 $19,633 $18,857 $17,553 $14,408 $14,850 YTD Deficit $3,165 $8,819 $7,174 $4,832 $9,865 $16,983 $15,757 Personnel Committee Update We want to take this opportunity to thank Randy Williams for his dedicated service in maintaining our facility for the past 5 years. Randy will continue his custodial work until the end of September. Please join me in thanking him for all he has done to make our church clean and beautiful. Since Randy's resignation, the personal committee has held several interviews for his position. We are pleased to welcome Sherri Claussen as our recent hire to fill Randy's spot. Sherri is a mom and young grandma from Indianola. She enjoys playing tennis, horseback riding, and gardening. We look forward to having Sherri on our staff.

9/15 Jordan Butler 9/15 Loree LeFleur 9/19 Drew Lofsgard 9/20 Rick & Cathie Elkin 9/20 Pat Hesselberth 9/20 Shawn & Korri ClarkWilt

11 September Birthdays & Anniversaries 9/3 Dotty Raun 9/4 Marge Liggitt 9/7 Mary Johnson 9/8 Maurice Conley 9/9 Laura Juhl 9/9 Samantha Riordan 9/9 Sandy Cortum 9/11 Tim Diebel 9/12 Chris Riter 9/13 Elsie Johnson 9/14 Gene Wheeler 9/14 Lyla Hendrickson 9/14 Mike Ward 9/15 Jordan Butler 9/15 Loree LeFleur 9/19 Drew Lofsgard 9/20 Rick & Cathie Elkin 9/20 Pat Hesselberth 9/20 Shawn & Korri ClarkWilt 9/23 Randy & Teresa Williams 9/26 Deb Dillman 9/26 Marty Weaver Thanks to the Rock Stars who provided special music on Sunday, August 23.

12 SEPTEMBER CALENDAR Tuesday, September 1 Coffee Time 10:00 am Arts & Crafts 6:00 pm Wednesday, September 2 Youth Group 6:00 pm Thursday, September 3 Senior Exercise 10:00 am Saturday, September 5 30 & 1 Group 6:00 pm Sunday, September 6 Casual Worship 8:30 am Sunday School 9:30 am Traditional Worship 10:30 am Monday, September 7 Labor Day - Office Closed Tuesday, September 8 Coffee Time 10:00 am Dinky Disciples 3:15 pm Stewardship & Fin 4:00 pm Wednesday, September 9 Youth Group 6:00 pm Thursday, September 10 Senior Exercise 10:00 am Sunday, September 13 Casual Worship 8:30 am Sunday School 9:30 am Traditional Worship 10:30 am Monday, September 14 Senior Exercise 10:00 am Tuesday, September 15 Coffee Time 10:00 am JYF 3:30 pm Wednesday, September 16 Youth Group 6:00 pm Thursday, September 17 Senior Exercise 10:00 am Prayer Shawl 1:00 pm Saturday, September 19 Men s Breakfast 8:00 am Sunday, September20 Casual Worship 8:30 am Sunday School 9:30 am Traditional Worship 10:30 am Monday, September 21 Senior Exercise 10:00 am Board Meeting 5:30 pm Tuesday, September 22 Coffee Time 10:00 am Wednesday, September 23 Youth Group 6:00 pm Thursday, September 24 Senior Exercise 10:00 am Sunday, September 27 Casual Worship 8:30 am Sunday School 9:30 am Traditional Worship 10:30 am Monday, September 28 Senior Exercise 10:00 am Tuesday, September 29 Coffee Time 10:00 am Wednesday, September 30 Youth Group 6:00 pm

Norwalk Christian Church sent $2000 to the Christian Conference Center in May so that they could purchase this

Ministry Tues, Sept 1st 6-8 pm Join us for the next Arts & Crafts night Tues, Sept. 1, from 6:00-8:00 pm.

birthday calendar. For examples of the projects see the Fellowship Hall wall by the Card Ministry table.

13 Norwalk Christian Church sent $2000 to the Christian Conference Center in May so that they could purchase this furniture and a lamp for the new chapel building. This is part of our outreach for the Conference Center for Ministry Tues, Sept 1st 6-8 pm Join us for the next Arts & Crafts night Tues, Sept. 1, from 6:00-8:00 pm. We will be making Christmas gifts such as: a flower broach, decoupage coasters, bedspring crafts, gift tags and a birthday calendar. For examples of the projects see the Fellowship Hall wall by the Card Ministry table. There is a $5 fee for supplies. Even if you have a different craft you are working on, bring your craft and join us for an evening of fellowship! All are welcome!

New Members Welcome Beckel Family Adam, Angie and their son Jack,

Prayer Shawl Ministry The next meeting will be Thursday, Sept.

Thank you to my NCC family and friends for your prayers, cards,

14 New Members Welcome Beckel Family Adam, Angie and their son Jack, joined NCC on Aug. 23rd. Prayer Shawl Ministry The next meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 18th, at 1 pm. Everyone is welcome. Thank you to my NCC family and friends for your prayers, cards, calls, meals, love and support through my surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments over the past several months. You have truly been a blessing! - Kathy Rinard

15 If you would like to sign up as a foursome or be a hole sponsor (individual or business), please pick up a registration form in the Fellowship Hall.

16 Norwalk Christian News Published monthly by the Norwalk Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 701 Main St., Norwalk, IA (515) The deadline to submit articles for the next issue of Norwalk Christian News is the 20th of the month. All articles must be submitted in writing. Ministers: Rev Travis & Rev Marti Stanley Administrative Assistant: Chris Riter OFFICE HOURS Administrative Assistant: Mon - Fri 9 AM - Noon Pastors: Mon-Thurs 8:30 AM - Noon And by appointment WORSHIP SCHEDULE Casual Worship Sunday School Traditional Worship 8:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship follows each service. MISSION STATEMENT Disciples of Christ - Sharing the Journey

Stewardship Time & Talent & Treasure 2016

Stewardship Time & Talent & Treasure 2016 Skyline Community Church is a growing community - we are called to let our light shine in worship, education, social justice, eco-justice, fellowship, and fun!