First News. April Your RunnRev, Pastor Robin

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1 Page 1 First News Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! This announcement and response signifies the joyous proclamation of the Easter (Eastertide) Season. In all actuality Easter is celebrated (or should be) every Sunday because every Sunday is a little Easter. So the reality of Easter is that it encompasses the entire year, but still we set aside the 50 days of Easter from Easter morning through Pentecost as particularly significant. This year the United Church of Christ stresses the importance of Easter through Mission 4/1 Earth (read: Mission for one Earth ). This 50 day mission effort emphasizes the unity we share as a United Church for the witness of resurrection for the world around us. The mission states 3 broad goals: 1. Collectively offer more than ONE MILLION HOURS of engaged earth care, including clean up, advocacy, education, and behavioral changes that will impact the environment. 2. Collectively plant more than 100,000 TREES locally and globally in partnership with the National Arbor Day Foundation and the UCC s denominational partners around the world. 3. Collectively write/send more than 100,000 ADVOCACY LETTERS on environmental concerns to elected officials and local and national newspapers. The spirit of Easter morning is carried throughout the next 50 days as a reminder of the resurrection and regeneration that occurs through our faith. And in the minds of many, Easter is synonymous with springtime and the renewal of all nature around us. It is fitting, then, to lift up these themes and physically work towards a renewal of all creation at this time. The following are only a few suggestions of what can be done: 1. Read a book or article, or watch a documentary, about the environment 2. Plant and tend an organic garden. Weeding and watering time will mount up quickly. 3. Write advocacy letters (the letters count twice: toward the 1 million hours goal AND the 100,000 letters goal!) 4. Install energy efficient light bulbs or appliances. 5. Recycle coffee grounds and old coffee by putting them on acid-loving plants. 6. Donate items to thrift shops and shop there. 7. Create a compost bin. 8. Turn out the lights in rooms you are not in. 9. Donate plastic grocery bags to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or second-hand shops. 10. RECYCLE. First Reformed United Church of Christ, Lexington, North Carolina 11. Wash clothes in cold water. 12. Use detergents that don t harm the environment. (Vinegar can be used for cleaning all sorts of things instead of harsh chemicals). 13. Recycle empty toner and ink cartridges. 14. Plant a tree in your back yard. Go to ucc.org/earth for more information or talk to your RunnRev. Let s keep track of our time and pass your totals on to me. Our efforts will say to all of creation, Have I told you today that I love you? Your RunnRev, Pastor Robin (RunnRev@windstream.net) April 2013

2 Page 2 Consistory Highlights March 2013 Financial Report: Harriette Murphy, Treasurer reported the average weekly offering for the month of February was 3,446. Board of Christian Education: Chairperson, Carolyn Spivey Easter Egg Hunt and activities are March 23 rd from 10-11:30am. The children will make a seasonal gift for shut-ins. Thirty Hour Famine participants collected $300 that will be donated to Haiti. Sunday school perfect attendance is being taken and recognized monthly. Please continue to support the feed my sheep campaign. VBS is August 5-9 from 9-11am daily. Final plans will be discussed April 25 th. March 17 th a fundraising luncheon is scheduled with donations going to support Johns River campers. The church picnic is June 9 th from 4-7pm at Wildcat. Directions will be forthcoming. Sunday, May 5 th is the day of the Dash Baseball Game. Tickets are $10 with money due March 31 st. Congregational Life: Co-chair, Nicole Smith Thanks to Betty and Larry Link and Nicole Smith for hosting the March first Sunday social. Congregational Life is in the process of planning for the reception following the Davidson/Forsyth Palm Sunday evening joint worship service, March 24 th. Property Committee: Glenyce Fulton reporting for Ron Hutcheson Property Committee reviewed submitted quotes and voted to continue the church contract with Mike Stegal Fellowship Hall window repair has been completed Property Committee and Trustees are currently reviewing a quote for the repair of the Sanctuary windows. Evangelism Board: Chairperson, Lynn Klopp Average attendance for February was 112. Board chairs please notify Trudy of upcoming events so she can get events publicized New Business: Reverend Keating showed a power point presentation to the Consistory with ideas as to how to make our church more visible in the community. The power point was titled FTV s (first time visitors) Must Be VIP s The next meeting of the Consistory will be Sunday, April 7 th at 7pm.

3 Page 3 March 8, 2013 First Reformed UCC, This is to acknowledge the Sunday school materials I got from Barb DeSouza. I want you to know that this will greatly help the Christian Education program of Silliman University Church which is a UCCP related school. UCCP (United Church of Christ in the Philippines) is a sister denomination of UCC, USA! Dear Board of Trustees, I m writing to express my gratitude for being extended the Hinkle, Sink, Swing Scholarship for Regrettably, I can t thank you in person as things here at Wake Forest are getting busy! I m currently planning out my academic experiences for the summer and the fall. I m planning on going to the Middleburg Summer Language Programs in Middleburg, VT to study Russian language for two months. In the fall I will travel to Moscow, Russia to study Russian politics, language, and culture for the semester. I can t explain how excited I am or how much I appreciate the continued support from my church family. Your gracious giving has allowed me to continue the Wake Forest experience and all of the ensuing adventures that it holds! Thank you again, I hope to see you all soon. I m taking these materials with me when I go visit the homeland this May. I do hope and pray that your church will consider this its mission. Again, thank you. SHALOM, F. M. PIA ALISA JOHNSON JAMES GRAY MIKE BROWN BUDDY LOHR CLIFFORD LOPP Thanks to the individuals who worked on a blustery day in March to spread pine needles on the church grounds. You are appreciated!! MATTHEW JOHNSON ALICE GRAY JOHN POTTS RICH JOHNSON JOHN SMITH SINCERELY, PEYTON BARR Dear First UCC Board of Trustees, I would like to thank you for your generous donation of the Hinkle, Sink, Swing. I can assure you that the money awarded will be put to good use in order to expand my academic horizons. Most likely, the scholarship money will be used to fund the text books that I need to purchase for the upcoming school year and also for fees that come with applying to Ph.D programs. Moreover, it will also be able to pay for my yearly payment to remain a member of Tri Beta, the honors society for biology majors, as well as the Elon chapter of the American Chemical Society for biochemistry majors. Lastly, what I have left after the above expenses have been covered I can also begin paying back some of the loan money I borrowed to go to Elon in the first place. Once again, I give you the most humble of thanks in choosing to award me this opportunity. ALL THE BEST, ADAM K. MCKERLIE

4 Page 4 Women s Life Fellowship Many thanks to those who prepared casseroles; supplied salad dressings and tea; Belinda s famous banana pudding; and those who served the meal at the homeless shelter March 11 th. Dishes came back empty and our ladies received two rounds of applause. The meal was enjoyed by all! When we returned from serving at the shelter, Belinda inspired us with devotions and Mary Jo filled us with delicious sweets. Business items discussed were: Desserts for the Baked Potato and Salad Luncheon upcoming on Sunday, March 17 th (St Patrick s Theme). Thank you phone message (today s technology) from Rita Tussey for the Bingo prizes we collected for the Piedmont Center Ideas on Touching Davidson County With Love from Lynn Klopp The reception following the Palm Sunday Evening Joint UCC Service our church is hosting on March 24 th. We voted to fund the reception that Congregational Life is planning. We missed those who were unable to be with us and look forward to seeing everyone at our April 16 th meeting. All women of the church are invited to join us for fellowship and service to our church family and community. Morning Glory Circle Six members were present when the Morning Glory Circle met in the Church Parlor on March 6, Gladys Snider, President, opened the meeting. The minutes for February were read and approved. Treasurer report was given. Our April 3 rd meeting will be a covered dish lunch at Carolina House with residents: Janie Lohr, Maxine Lohr and Lucille Williams. The menu was discussed and each member assigned a dish to bring. The meeting then adjourned so that we could attend the Community Lenten Service at First Methodist Church.

5 Page 5 CHURCH COOKBOOK UPDATE I now have an internet link that you can use to type in the recipes to submit for our Fall Cookbook. Simply click on the link below and follow instructions on the screen to type the recipe. Be PATIENT as sometimes it takes more than a second for the website to come up. You will first see a log on screen on the right side of the page. Click on Log In and another log in screen will appear.. The user name and password are already there so click on submit. Then you will see a contact box and you just type your name under the contact person (me) information and then click on submit. You will see three boxes and you select Add a Recipe. Make sure you save after typing and proofing the recipe. And let me know if you have questions. Thanks, Harriette PS: You can still bring copies of your recipes to me and I will type them in for you. United Friendship Club The Friendship Club met on Wednesday, March 27 th for a delicious covered dish lunch. Special thanks to Betty and JW Bates, Lib Sink and Camille Morgan for the beautiful table decorations. The fellowship hall looked like spring! Wanda Daye shared devotions. Harriette Murphy, club president discussed plans for upcoming meetings. Everyone enjoyed a time of laughter and fellowship. The next meeting of the club will be a covered dish lunch on Wednesday, April 24 th at noon in the fellowship hall. Nancy Robbins is in charge of devotions and the food and decorations committee is Cathy Waitman and Paula Lopp. The Men's Brotherhood meeting was held on Monday, March 4 th. Clifton Murphy {with lots of help from Harriette} provided a Poor Man's Supper that was enjoyed by all. Special thanks to Frank Callicutt who presented a program on Communities in Schools. He gave us a history of CIS and highlighted benefits that students receive through this program. We hope everyone has a safe Easter and is able to take advantage of the many events that are taking place. Please watch bulletins and newsletters; there s always something happening at First Reformed UCC. The next meeting of the Brotherhood is May 6 th.

6 Page 6 Upcoming Events April 11, 2013 at 5:30 (THURSDAY) PRAYER SERVICE & HOTDOG SUPPER There will be inspirational music, a short informal service by Rev. Kelley Groce and hot dogs with the trimmings for participants & their families this year on Thursday, April 11. Bring lawn chairs and enjoy the fellowship. The event will be held at First Methodist Church located on State Street across from the YMCA parking lot. In case of rain, the event will be moved inside. Please let me know as soon as possible if you plan to attend. APRIL 13, 2013 (SATURDAY) DAY OF SERVICE Mark Smith will be leading a yard work crew at the American Children s Home this year. Our church s first priority will be to staff a team of workers for this project. However, there are other opportunities to sign up for. Sign-up sheets with more specific information are posted in the church narthex and printed in the bulletin. We hope that you will consider sharing your time and talent to help others in need. If you are unable to participate on the service project date, please pray for the workers, that they will be a blessing as they serve as God s hands, feet and heart through these projects. Pray also for those who are served on this day that will be able to see God at work through these volunteers. TDCWL COLLECTION As part of Touching Davidson County with Love, we are collecting TOOTH BRUSHES & TOOTHPASTE to be distributed to clients of Department of Social Services Please bring these items to church between now and Sunday, April 7. Thank you! Lynn Klopp Call me at or me at: lynnklopp@earthlink.net if you have questions; or contact Adena Wall or Bonita Hooper who are also assisting with the project this year.

7 Page 7 Check out this great opportunity Stephen Ministry Visitation Training Members of the Stephen Ministry is offering a one day Visitation training for those who have signed up as visitors with our members who are home bound, in care facilities and/or hospitalized, This training is also open to all persons, particularly caregivers and anyone interested in improving their listening skills. The date is Saturday, April 6 th, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided. Please call the church office, John Barber or June Grubb to register by April 1 st. The table below shows a summary of caregiver contacts made by our Stephen Ministers. If you have questions or to submit the name of someone to contact, please John Barber at punkbarber@hotmail.com. CATEGORY TYPE OF CONTACT MONTH TOTAL DATE SICK SHUT-IN OTHER PHONE VISITS OTHER CONTACTS MINUTES SHARED July Dec X X X Jan-Dec X X X Jan-Feb 2013 X X X PERIOD TO DATE TOTAL Prayer Shawl & Blanket Ministry The Prayer Shawl/Blanket Ministry sews lap-size blankets or shawls for those experiencing illnesses, difficult times, youth going off to college, newborns, baptisms, and weddings. Prayers are offered for recipients as the blankets are constructed. Church members continue to share names of loved ones, associates, acquaintances, locals, out-of-town, out-of-state, etc. individuals who need a hug that can be shared through a shawl or blanket that was pieced together with loving hands and prayers. There will be another shawl/blanket blessing on Sunday, April 7 th. Please have completed shawls and blankets for blessing in the parlor by Thursday, April 4 th. Wrapping God s Love, First Reformed UCC Prayer Shawl Ministry

8 Page 8 Mary Berrier Myrtle Latimer MARY BETH KEATING {Pastor Keating s Mother} John and Vicky Gray NIKKI SLEMP {Alisa Johnson s Mother} BILL EVERHART {Frankie Hedrick s Brother} John and Vicky Gray CLARA C. YARBROUGH {Barbara Sink s Sister} Wanda Daye EVELYN SINK SMITH {Doug Sink s Sister} Wanda Daye Roy and Anne Bevan Camille Morgan Roy and Anne Bevan VICKY GRAY James & Alice Gray Happy Birthday NANCY ROBBINS Heart Sister Happy St. Patrick s Day MARY BERRIER Heart Sister Happy Easter JOHN GRAY Hospice of Davidson County BARB DESOUZA Nancy Robbins BUTCH BOUCHARD Nancy Robbins Happy 99 th Birthday PAULA LOPP Nancy Robbins Happy Administrative Professional Day! You are cordially invited to attend the Service of Installation honoring Reverend Bobby R. Bonds as Pastor Emeritus Bethel Bear Creek United Church of Christ Bear Creek Church Road Mount Pleasant, North Carolina Sunday, April 28, 2013 At 3:00 o clock in the afternoon Reception to follow at the Archie Moose Fellowship Center RSVP by Sunday, April 21 to Charles Hiatt ( ) or ddhiatt@aol.com

9 Page 9 Palm Sunday morning the First Reformed UCC youth, led by Pastor Robin, entered the church waving palm branches. Congratulations to our Confirmands or were recognized during the Davidson/Forsyth joint Palm Sunday service of worship held here. Pictured are Reverend Keating, Kalyssa Hutchens, Holt Biesecker, Camill Freeman, Ashley Johnson and Griff Smith. (unable to attend were: Mary Lloyd and Annabell Callicutt and Emma and Katie Keel). Many thanks to all of the First Reformed UCC members who assisted in hosting the Davidson/Forsyth District Joint Palm Sunday Service of Worship. Reverend Keating, Ellen Peterson, Lee Ann Peele, and Choir Members who participated in the service. Our ushers: Jeff Hutchens, Tony Peele, Clifford Lopp and Rich Johnson. The Reception Committee and helpers: Glenyce Fulton, Nicole Smith, Harriette Murphy, Rita Lohr, Mary Jo Jessup, Belinda Yates, Paula Lopp, Betty Link, Mike Price, Clifton Murphy, Clifford Lopp, Eddie Yates, Dave Fulton and Buddy Lohr.

10 Page 10 Christian Education Cathy Waitman, Director of Christian Education Spring is here and our calendars are loaded with activities. Last month, the children planted potatoes and onions in the Community Garden, hunted Easter Eggs, made Easter gifts for the shutins, sponsored a luncheon for Johns River Camp, waved Palm Branches to begin the Palm Sunday service, walked the labyrinth, and sang on Easter Sunday. The Easter Egg hunt was a great success and the special basket winners were Coreen Freeman, Jianna Miller, Baron Freeman and Jacob Hartle. The Johns River luncheon plus donations netted a profit of $1100+ for our campers this summer. I owe Mike Price, Brian McKerlie, and Betty & Darren Barr a huge thank you for organizing and purchasing food for the luncheon. June Grubb, Lena Johnson, and Alice Gray along with Kids Club decorated the tables with campfires and the dessert table with campers tubing down Johns River. The children, parents, and grandparents helped cut up veggies, washed and wrapped potatoes, and cleaned off tables. Amanda Fulton and June helped us get food on the table. Sylvia Walser and Rich and Lena Johnson helped us with kitchen clean up. Women s Life members furnished the St. Patrick s day cakes and the tea. Church members were very supportive with their monetary donations. Thank all of you for working so hard to help! If more children decide to attend camp we will have another fundraiser in the future. We had a very successful Feed My Sheep campaign for Pastor s Pantry this year. We collected 35 crates of food! Pastor s Pantry picked up three pickup truck loads of food and were very appreciative for all of our donations. We have helped many elderly citizens in our county have enough food to eat. I am so thankful for all of you who brought food! Our church always works together helping our community.

11 Page 11 We have youth Sunday school lessons beginning this month on the book, Heaven is for Real. The Sojourners are continuing their study of God is Listening. The New Way class is continuing to study Women of the Bible. Willing Workers is concluding Women of the Bible. The Men s Bible Class continue with The Present Word. We need more of our members to join us for Sunday school. With all of the choices above, we hope that you can find a class you would like to attend. The third annual Winston Salem Dash outing is scheduled for May 5. The game begins at 2:00. Our seats are in the shade behind third base. Concession stands and bathrooms are close behind our seats. We still have about 15 tickets left if you would like to go. All money is due to the Dash by April 5. June will soon be here and we are planning our picnic for June 9 at a new location this year. Wildcat is a beautiful retreat about 20 minutes south of here with a lake full of fish, hiking trails, and a picnic area. Parking is conveniently located for those who have mobility problems. Mike Brown and his Men s Bible Class helpers will be cooking our hotdogs and hamburgers. There will be corn hole games, bubbles, bat and ball, and kickball available. Mark your calendars now to join us. Vacation Bible School is going to be August 5-9 this year. We are going to try a schedule of 5 mornings from 9 11 with a picnic lunch at 11 on Friday. I will be contacting people to be committee chairs and come to an organizational meeting this month. We will be soliciting donations of food, snacks, and decorations closer to time. If you can help and have not been contacted, please , call, or see me. Spring is a time for new beginnings. Please make a special effort to come to Sunday school and church. I know everyone is really busy and schedules are full, but God blesses us everyday and we can express our thanks to Him in worship and prayer on Sundays. Hope to see you here soon! Kids Club met on March 17. We quickly completed our "Tubing on John's River" display just in time to get it set up on the dessert table at the fundraiser luncheon. We designed and created children tubing down John's River, complete with rabbits, snakes, lizards, and even a skunk watching from the bank of the river. Money raised at the luncheon will help send our children to Johns River Camp for a session this summer. Alice and James Gray and Katarina Strenk

12 Page 12 Liturgist: Reverend June Grubb APRIL STEWARDS Ushers: Chairperson: Jeff Hutchens Captain: Birke McNeill Ushers: James Atkinson, Adena Wall, John Gray, Bonita Hooper, Thomas Johnson, Frank Callicutt Plate Attendant: Scott Frye Acolytes: Griff and Claire Smith Sound Tech: James Gray Adult Joint Sunday School: Class responsible for songs and announcements New Way Class Spiritual Journey Presenter: Beth Jessup Callicutt Social Host/Hostess: Mary Jo and Lee Jessup and Beth and Frank Callicutt Greeters: April 7, 2013 Joel Byrd and Ramona Yarbrough April 14, 2013 April 21, 2013 April 28, 2013 Doug and Barbara Sink John and Sylvia Walser Buddy and Rita Lohr WORSHIP HOUR Nursery: April 7, 2013 Belinda and Eddie Yates April 14, 2013 Betty Bates April 21, 2013 Raeann and Holt Biesecker April 28, 2013 Beth and Frank Callicutt (CAROLINA HOUSE) Micki Smith, Janie Lohr and Maxine Lohr (PIEDMONT CROSSING) Rita Tussey (BRIAN CENTER) Barbara Sowers (ALSTON BROOK) Willie Ruth Leonard Sadie Bailey is in Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Holton Davis, Valerie Price, Juanita Beck, Earlie Hartley and Mary Crouse. Also, remember Corena Garver, Margot Everhart, Jimmy Grubb, Jim Womack, Mary John Allred, Johnette Davis, John Rollins, Victor Furr, Levi Olson, Alex Myers, Karen Steele, Bunny and Virginia Hill, Connie Weichert, and Randy Carter. Please remember our men and women serving in the Armed Forces. To add a name to the prayer chain, contact Adena Wall at or the church office at We extend Sympathy to and share Christian hope with: Betty Bates upon the death of her Sister, Lorell Myers.

13 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6:30pm (Parlor) 1 BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MEETING 2 6:30pm (Parlor) EVANGELISM BOARD MEETING 11am (Parlor) MORNING GLORY CIRCLE 3 9am-2pm (FH) VISITATION 5:30pm YOGA TRAINING SESSION Page 13 9:45am Joint Sunday School (Chapel) 7 4:00pm CONFIRMATION CLASS 9:45am SS Classes for Everyone 14 11:00am WORSHIP SERVICE AND KIDS CLUB FOLLOWED BY A RECEPTION I(FH) 11:00am WORSHIP SERVICE AND KIDS CLUB 9:45am SS Classes for Everyone 28 11:00am WORSHIP SERVICE AND 4:00pm CONFIRMATION CLASS :30pm BELL CHOIR 7:15pm CHOIR PRACTICE 6:30pm BELL CHOIR 7:15pm CHOIR PRACTICE 6:30pm BELL CHOIR 7:15pm CHOIR PRACTICE 10:20am Sunday School Social (FH) 11:00am WORSHIP SERVICE, BAPTISM, BLESSING OF PRAYER SHAWLS 7:00pm CONSISTORY MEETING (WW Class) 4PM (SANCTUARY) CATAWBA SINGERS CONCERT 7pm (FH) GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MEETING 5:30pm YOGA 11 9:45am SS Classes for Everyone 21 6:30pm (Parlor) 22 STEPHEN MINISTERS 7pm (Parlor) WOMEN S LIFE FELLOWSHIP MEETING :30pm YOGA CHILDREN S CHURCH 10:00am (Parlor) PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY April 2013 Noon (FH) FRIENDSHIP CLUB :30pm (First UMC) TDCWL 5:30pm YOGA 25 HOT DOG SUPPER AND PRAYER SERVICE 6:30pm (WW Class) VBS PLANNING MEETING MAY 5TH DASH BALLGAME TOUCHING DAVIDSON COUNTY WITH LOVE MAY 19TH MOTHER S DAY AND GRADUATION SUNDAY MAY 26TH MEMORIAL WEEKEND SUNDAY

14 First Reformed United Church of Christ 104 East Center Street Lexington, NC Church Office: Website: Return Service Requested CHURCH STAFF Minister Reverend Robin Keating cell # Director of Christian Education Cathy Waitman Administrative Asst Paula Lopp Choir Director Ellen Peterson Organist Lee Ann Peele SUNDAY SERVICES Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Lexington, NC Permit #168 Page 14 Catawba Singers Concert 4pm Sunday, April 14, 2013 The First Reformed United Church of Christ Arthur and Maggie Thomason Endowment is sponsoring a concert by the Catawba Singers of Catawba College on Sunday, April 14 th at 4pm. This free event will begin in the sanctuary followed by a reception in the fellowship hall for everyone. Please share this information with friends, family, coworkers, etc. along with an invitation to come join us. Dr. Jim Shepherd is Catawba College s Director of Choral Music and will lead the 34-member Catawba Singers. This is a select choral ensemble open to Catawba students by audition only. The Singers are very active in performances both on and offcampus, and perform in several major concerts each year. Their repertoire consists of mostly chamber literature, sacred masterworks, pop, vocal jazz and Broadway literature for a Cabaret performance in the Spring of each year.