( D i s c i p l e s o f C h r i s t )

Transcription

1 F i r s t C h r i s t i a n C h u r c h o f ( D i s c i p l e s o f C h r i s t ) The Disciples Visitor February 2013 Report of Feb. 16th FCC Retreat A full day retreat was held at FCC on Sat Feb 16 th and was attended by 34 participants. The morning was spent in small group sessions. Each person was ask to write a note on a sticky note page for each idea, issue, or topic that represented their personal vision for FCC in The small groups then arranged the sticky note into columns to make a list of similar topics. Then the entire group reassembled and the Elders organized the small group lists into complete listing representing the entire group. The results lead to columns of sticky notes under the organizational headings of : Evangelism, Youth Ministries, Education, Leadership Development, Spiritual Worship, Worship, Commitment, and Small Group Ministries. The topics of Evangelism and Youth Ministries had the greatest number of post it notes which would indicate that more of the participants saw these areas as priorities for FCC during During the afternoon session Pastor Scott lead a power point visual presentation / discussion session with the entire group entitled : The 8 Characteristics of a Healthy Church. Those 8 include: 1) Empowered Leadership, 2) Gift-Oriented Ministries, 3) Passionate Spirituality, 4) Functional Structures, 5) Inspiring Worship, 6) Holistic Small Groups, 7) Need- Oriented Evangelism, and 8) Loving Relationships. The sticky post it note priorities can easily be matched to one of the eight characteristics of a healthy church and by referencing FCC needs with healthy examples will help in continuing the conversations around the process of becoming a healthy growing church. The following listings are of the topics, ideas, and issues that were part of the vision for FCC as noted by the 34 participants on Feb 16: EVANGELISM: Need oriented evangelism, Outreach to community needs, Bring a friend, Crafters, Church Growth (spiritually and numerically), I worked hard to get some to come to church. You have to continue to try in getting people to church and keep them there, Don t forget your friend as a chance to get people to stay in church, Fellowship meals & gatherings, meals, Maintain our authentic friendliness to match our reputation (change is not needed to sustain this), Community Involvement, Calling on the sick and homebound, Home visitation, Frequent visits to nursing homes, Home bound members, take care of the elderly in a better way, a dedication to growing the church, ministry missions, Passion for Justice, the Church should represent Jesus YOUTH/CHILDREN: Young families, have the children in church for special services to see how the church operates, Kids, Youth, Bring in the youth of the community who need a safe haven, Youth development, Programs for youth and teens, Getting our youth more excited about church, youth activities getting more members involved, Teaching the kids what Jesus really said, Youth, Children, Youth programs, Youth activities for youth of the area not just our church, Youth activities to keep the kids wanting to come on Sundays, We need to do more for the youth, Youth age appropriate, Focus on young adult leadership. See RETREAT Page 7 Inside this issue: Summer Camp 2 Pastor s Post 3 Thank you/ella s Recipe 4 Church Calendar 5 Worship Ministries/Kids Corner 6 Birthdays & Anniversaries/Financial Report 6 If you would like to submit something for our next newsletter, please your article to fccuhrichville@gmail.com or see Lorrie no later than March 22, Retreat/Prayers 7

2 Summer Camp(s) for FCC Kids At the Feb 3 rd FCC Board Meeting a motion was approved to support our FCC families with sponsorships for the amount of half of the registration fees for camp attendance at a church camp of the family s choice. FCC has in the past paid half the camp fee for DOC Camp Christian. By taking this Board action the Board is giving the families the options to choose the camp that best suites their family s schedule and needs. List below are the dates, locations, costs and age appropriate camp information for three church camp programs. Also listed with this information are the camps website for your additional research. Brochure information for each camp is posted in the fellowship room. Disciples of Christ Camp Christian Maple Dell Rd. Marysville, OH Website: Grandparents Camp: grades 1 & 2 and a grandparent held at Camp Christian May 31 June 1. Otter Camp: grades 3 5 held at Camp Christian June 16 June 22. CHI RHO Camp: grades 6 8 held at Camp Christian (Hocking Camp district 7) June CYF Conferences grades 9 12 Held at Camp Christian (PHYO Conference) June 30 July 6. DOC camp fees $ early registration by May 1, $ after May 1. Pilgrim Hills Camp Township Rd. 20 Brinkhaven OH Templed Hills Camp 5734 Durbin Rd.Bellville, OH. Website: Grandparents Camp Templed Hills Ages 4 9; dates: June 23 29, July 7 13, July 21 27, ½ week camps Sun Wed, Wed Sat. Camp for children ages 7 12; dates: June 23 29, July 7 13, July 21 27, ½ week camps Sun-Wed, Wed-Sat Camp for youth grades 1 3; dates: July at both Pilgim and Templed Hills Camp for youth grades 2 4, at Pilgrim Hills June Camp for youth grades 3 6; dates: June 30 July 6, July 7 13 both Pilgrim and Templed Hills * Camp for youth grades 4 6; dates: June 16 22, June 23 29, June 30 July 6, July 14 20, July both Pilgrim and Templed Hills * Camps for teens grades 7 12; dates: June June 23 29, June 30 July 6, July 14 20, July 21 27, both Pilgrim and Templed Hills Camps * Family Camp: August 31 Sept. 2 at Templed Hills Camp. * Please refer to the colored brochure posted on the bulletin board for camp themes and special interest camps and costs per camp. Round Lake Christian Camp ; Camp Side Camp,114 SR 3, Lakeville, OH Lodge Side Camp, 2678 SR 179 Lakeville OH Wilderness Camp, Rock Run, Frazeysburg OH Website: Camp Side Camp: grades 1 6; dates: June 9 Aug 9* Lodge Side Camp: grades 7 12; dates: June 9 Aug 9* Wilderness Camp: grades 4 12; dates: June 14 Aug 9* *Please refer to brochure post on the bulletin board for specific dates and costs per camp. Page 2 The Disciples Visitor

3 Pastor s Post I ve Just Seen Jesus Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. John 20:18 Stare at the four dots in the center of this picture for about thirty seconds. Then, close your eyes and wait for an image to appear. What did you see? Did you see an image of Jesus? Some people see the image of Jesus and some don't. It is just like it is in real life. Some people don t see Jesus because they are looking for Him in the wrong places. That is what happened in this Bible story. Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. She found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and another disciple, whose name was John. She told them, "They have taken the Lord s body out of the tomb, and I don t know where they have put him!" Peter and John started out for the tomb. They were both running, but John outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings, while the cloth that had covered Jesus head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed -- for until then they still hadn t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. Then they went home. Mary stayed behind and stood outside the tomb weeping. As she knelt down and looked inside, she saw two angels dressed in white. They asked her why she was crying. She told them that someone had taken her master and she didn't know where they had taken him. Then, Mary turned and saw a man standing behind her. It was Jesus, but Mary did not recognize Him. She thought he was the gardener. Then Jesus called her by name and, when she heard his voice, she recognized Him. After she saw that it was Jesus, she went to the disciples and said to them, "I ve just seen Jesus! He is alive!" Some people, like Mary, Peter, and John can t see Jesus because they are looking for Him in a grave or on a cross. He isn t there! He is risen and is seated at the right hand of His Father in heaven. If you want to see Jesus this Easter, look in His Word, He will reveal Himself to you, just as He did to Mary! With Love in Christ, Pastor Scott The Disciples Visitor Page 3

4 A Special Thanks To the members of First Christian, On behalf of all the family of Ella Gladman, I want to thank you for everything you did for Ella, as individuals and as a church family, throughout her long life among you, and especially for your care of us all during Ella s last days on God s good earth. You were wither in good times and in bad and until the very end. We are all deeply grateful. And I thank you as well for your loving support to us her family; you made the difficult days easier for us all. Thank you for bringing communion to Ella on her first day at Community Hospice. The memory of that simple, holy service will remain a treasure with me always. Thank you for the beautiful prayer quilt you brought her. It covered her every day of her stay at hospice, and it warmed her and the hearts of her family. Thank you for the food you provided, at the house and after the funeral. It heartened and sustained us all. Thank you for the many thoughts and prayers of comforting words, for phone calls and cards and hugs and visits and memories shared. All were a blessing freely given and gratefully received. Thank you, and a special thanks to Sarah, Laura and Pastor Scott, for your participation in Ella s funeral service. I know Ella would have approved of it all; it was done according to her wishes. Your providing private communion for us was an especially thoughtful act as was the making of CD s of the service for us to keep. Thank you all for being with us and with Ella as she embarked on this next phase of a life well lived. With deep and abiding gratitude, Lynne Levy Ella s Fabulous Coffee Cake Many have asked for Ella Gladman s melt in your mouth coffee cake recipe. This is the same recipe Ella s mother was giving years ago. Here it is... Ingredients: 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 2 cups flour ½ teaspoon vanilla 2 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ cup salad oil Beat and blend above ingredients, take out ½ cup and mix with ½ to 1 cup nut meats. Set aside and use as topping. To the first mixture add and beat well 2 eggs and 1 cup of sour milk. Pour topping on top. Bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes. Enjoy! Page 4 The Disciples Visitor

5 S u n M o n T u e W e d T h u F r i S a t am Trustee Mtg Board Meeting 5:30 pm Bell practice :30 pm Bell practice :30 pm Bell practice Daylight Saving Time Begins 1:00 pm Bowling Palm Sunday Easter 6 pm Elders Mtg First Day of Spring 5:30 pm Bell practice World Day of Prayer Maundy Thursday 7:00 pm Good Friday The Disciples Visitor Page 5

6 Worship Ministries March 3 Doug Rummell Ann Varcolla Bob Scott Open March 10 Cindy Smith Sue Clauser Joan McCollam Open March 17 Marianne Kilpatrick Mary Ann Gowins Corrine Edwards Open March 24 Tasha Levengood Carol Wyatt Gene Muster Open March 31 Barry Williams Barry & Sue Williams Madisyn & Zoey Rummell * If you would like to volunteer for one of these ministries you can sign up in the fellowship area or contact K i d s C o r n e r Children s Choir will start April 7th at 9:30 am. The kids will meet with Sarah Fouts, every Sunday morning at 9:30 am. Sign up sheets will be posted in the fellowship hall. Thank you, Sarah for sharing your wonderful talent with our FCC Kids! We will be having an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 24th after worship service. If anyone would like to donate a bag(s) of candy, that would be greatly appreciated. Birthdays 3/1 Clay Kutcher 3/2 Scott Braskett 3/3 Margaret Scott 3/3 Marin Taylor 3/4 Shelly McConnell 3/5 Harry Heavilin 3/9 Marianne Kilpatrick 3/9 Alexandria Durose 3/11 Ken Fouts 3/11 John Quimby 3/12 Shirley Sullivan 3/13 Dawn Furniss 3/13 Barb Hines 3/16 Carol Wyatt 3/17 Sarah Steele 3/17 Erma Fouts 3/20 Chris Fausto 3/21 Megan Moser 3/24 Rick Cox 3/24 Margaret Morris 3/26 Leah Addison 3/29 Kelly Tantarelli Anniversaries 3/3 Kim & Cathy Grandison 3/4 Bill & Ardith Croniser 3/18 Rick & Sherrie Cox 3/22 Barry & Sue Williams January Financial Report 1/6/13 $1, /13/13 $1, /20/13 $1, /27/13 $1, Total $5, Expenses $10, Balance -$4, Page 6 Page 6 The Disciples Visitor

7 Retreat continued from Page 1 EDUCATION: Bible Study, Sunday School, (adults and youth) Intergenerational programs, Young family programs, Open and welcoming for all God s creatures at all times, Awareness of current world problems i.e. overpopulation, climate change, nutrition. Able to look at Archeological discoveries that relate to our Bible, Focus on monogamy and celibacy until marriage instead of against homosexuality, Focus on the teaching of Jesus (the real ones), Avoidance of the apocalyptic vision, Open discussions of the differences and conflicts today, Focus on stewardship of the earth equal to the health of man, Focus on the importance family planning, responsible lifestyle care of the earth. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Focus on communications, honesty, very open transparency with the congregation, No secrets, Encourage and develop individual gifts, Positive actions, We need to work together, Getting members to know each other better, Stay in church. SPITITUAL GROWTH: Focus on spirituality, humility, love, humor, forgiveness, tolerance, unity, Unity among all members, focus on Christianity not to be something (that someone) feels they have to join out of guilt, but rather they want to join out of love. Non judgmental, accepting, welcoming of all regardless of color, orientation, race etc., Belief that all, not just Christians can be one with God. WORSHIP: Hymns that go along with the sermon that people know, Choir, Special music, Bible centered sermons, Clear thought provoking sermons, Sermon lengths that do not estrange the listener, More people wanting to sing in the choir, More up-beat music, Appropriate religious music. SMALL GROUPS: volunteers for clean up days or any group activity, more groups for age 40 60, more activities in the evening, more adult groups. COMMITMENT: Encourage membership (join church), young adults and couples, Accountability for members who never come, Involvement of everyone, more involvement (serving in) one position or office is not enough). Reaffirm a commitment to being welcoming to all people regardless of race, orientation or religious backgrounds, Commitment to working together with people of all faiths, race, orientation or philosophy. Prayers Health Concerns Personal Concerns Becky Carpenter Dennis Carpenter Nick Cimino Virginia Drabic Nancy Gallion Darlene Gastaldo Marky Gastaldo Renee Hall Midge Harshey Nancy Lake Maddux Maple Lois Muster Carol E. Rubis Peg Scott Sam Scott Lu Shaw Jane Steele Joe Sullivan Shirley Sullivan Harold Willard Silent prayer Sam Barker-deployed to Afghanistian The unemployed Adam & Collin Shaw Allen Muster and family Church Retreat Family of Ella Gladman Family of Mildred Long Family of Rick Norman Family of Dick Wright Grief The Disciples Visitor Page 7

8 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) 125 N. Uhrich St. P.O. Box 389 Uhrichsville, OH ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Mailer s Choice First Christian Church of (Disciples of Christ) 125 N. Uhrich Street Uhrichsville, OH Phone: s: fccuhrichsville@gmail.com An Intentionally Inclusive & Intergenerational Community of Faith We are followers of Jesus Christ, Seeking to live out our faith through; Establishing True Community, Experiencing Deep Christian Spirituality, & Promoting a Passion for Justice. If you are interested in knowing more please join us Adult Sunday School 9:15 Worship begins at 10:30 We look forward to getting to know you personally! We re on the web! If you are receiving this newsletter and would prefer not to, please contact the church office and we will remove your name from the mailing list.