Venice View A monthly newsletter of Venice Presbyterian Church June 2015 Reaching God through: Enrichment, Education and Extending Our Hands Venice Presbyterian Church 4244 Layhigh Road PO Box 41 Ross, Ohio 45061 Phone: (513) 738-1317 email: churchoffice@thevenicechurch.com www.thevenicechurch.com Pastor Janet Dillaman Adult Sunday School 9:15a Worship Service - 10:30a Junior Church - during worship service Youth Group Sundays: 12-TBD
The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, June 7, 2015 Inside this issue... Important Info. 2 Dear Friends 3-4 Boards/Events.. 5-17 Calendar.. 18-19 Attendance March 1.. 60 8...82 15.98 22.78 29.91 April 5..143 12 76 19 77 26 65 Venice Presbyterian Church 4244 Layhigh Road P.O. Box 41 Ross, OH 45061 Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00a-1:00p Phone (513) 738-1317 Fax (513) 738-2060 Email churchoffice@thevenicechurch.com Web www.thevenicechurch.com STAFF Pastor Janet Dillaman Cell (513-477-7746) Administrative Assistant Debbie Schwab Interim Music Director James Dillaman Nursery Attendants Nancy Renner Julia Dillaman Youth & Young Adult Director James Dillaman Custodians Marvin and Patty Jackson Venice View is published monthly. Information for the next publication is due on or before the third Monday of every month. The newsletter staff reserves the right to edit articles for space and content. 2
Dear Friends, So that all members and friends of The Venice Presbyterian Church have a clear picture of upcoming events, this letter is being sent to you by all your Church Officers and Pastor Jan jointly. At the time Pastor Jan first came to us, we requested that she be classified as our Designated Pastor. This meant that if after three years, her association with us continued as a good fit, we could request that she be installed as our permanent Called Pastor. The three year mark is now approaching. In that same initial time frame, the Presbyterian Book of Order discontinued the classification of Designated Pastor, and consequently Pastor Jan became classified as our Interim Pastor. If it is God s will and our wish, we may still request that Pastor Jan stay with us as our permanent Installed Pastor, but it is contingent upon Presbytery approval following our successful completion of a specific process called a Mission Study. The Joint Officers of Venice Presbyterian church have determined that in concurrence with the original wishes of the PNC terms for Designated Pastor and with Pastor Jan serving faithfully for the past three years as our Interim Pastor, a new Mission Study process will enable both our church family, Pastor Jan, and the Presbytery to discern the best installed pastoral relationship to continue our forward growth. The role of Designated Pastor had been changed in 2012 to an Interim relationship in our constitution when Pastor Jan was called: When a congregation does not have a pastor, or while the pastor is unable to perform her or his duties, the session, with the approval of presbytery, may obtain the services of a teaching elder, candidate or ruling elder in a temporary pastoral relationship. No formal call shall be issued and no formal installation shall take place.a teaching elder employed in a temporary pastoral relationship is ordinarily not eligible to serve as the next installed pastor.a presbytery may determine that its mission strategy permits a teaching elder currently employed in a temporary pastoral relationship to be eligible to serve as the next installed pastor. Presbyteries that permit this eligibility shall establish such relationships only by a threefourths vote of the members of presbytery present and voting. (G-2.504b- 4c). Continued on next page 3
Being commissioned as our Mission Team are: Donna Marsh, Kathy Mienheartt, Sue Toler and Dan Young. They will work this summer gathering statistical data and conducting congregational information sessions. If the Mission study discerns that Pastor Jan would fulfill the identified mission, she could be eligible for the installed position with the concurrence of the congregation with Session, the Committee of Ministry and three-fourths vote from the floor of the Presbytery. Your participation is very critical to this process and the Mission Team will inform the church family with information during the process and the final Mission Study report that is approved by the Session and the Committee of Ministry within the Presbytery. This is an exciting time as we discern what pastoral relationship would lead us forward to fulfill the needs of our church family, our community, and our outreach. We enthusiastically enter this process with full trust that God is calling us to abundant new avenues of ministry. It is also our opportunity to strengthen and bring focus to those ministries that make VPC a vibrant and foundational part of Ross. Sincerely in Christ, Rev. Jan Dillaman, Interim Pastor If you have any questions or concerns, please contact any Elder, Deacon, or Trustee listed below. Elders: Steve Maynard (844-1431), Jerry Rohrer(738-5422), Lee Steenken (868-8689), Gayla Young (738-3708), Kim Young (738-4183). Deacons: Judy Bohne (895-3079), Eunice Maynard (844-1431), Kathy Mienheartt (738-5463), Martha Young (738-1966) Trustees: Becky Berling (829-2554) Tom Kirk (738-1983), Ron Mienheartt (738-5463), Dan Young (738-3708), Greg Young (738-4183) 4
No she is not singing. Melanie kicked off the Spring Women s Banquet wearing a few of her Treasured Memories her 20 year old wedding and her 43 year old barn boots! Additional Treasured Memories that other women shared were a family plant, autograph book, homestead portrait, quilt, teapot, postcard album, rolling pin, journal, grandpa s pipe, belt buckle, photos, church women s history, cookbooks, and precious family stories. The event included a covered dish dinner and a program about Treasured Memories, which was enjoyed by 30 women. Remember, Yesterday s Memories are Tomorrow s Treasures. Capture them anyway you can, especially in your heart. Make them, share them and cherish them. WOMEN S GROUP MEETINGS: There are no Dorcas or Togetherness Circle meetings in June, July, and August 5
The farewell party for Kirsten was filled with great memories, wonderful food, and best wishes for Kirsten, as she embarks on her new journey in North Carolina. She will be greatly missed. 6
COFFEE HOUR DONATIONS NEEDED Would you be able to help the Deacons, by donating a treat for Coffee Hour? You don t even need to cook or bake anything, if that isn t something that you are comfortable with. Feel free to pick up cookies, donuts, breads, cakes, fruit or cheese and crackers at the store. These are appreciated just as much as anything else. Check the sign-up sheets on the table upstairs. Pick a Sunday that you can help and sign your name in that spot. A new sheet is placed there every month. The more people willing to sign up, the better.. Many hands make light work! Please let us know if you can help us with our Coffee Hour Time. Thank you in advance! The Board of Deacons Community Meal Center As always, help is needed in serving food to the less fortunate at Community Meals Center on the 4th Friday in June. Our last time there in April was a very, very busy evening and each and every hand worked so hard to serve, bus tables and cook the food for our guests. A special thanks to Beth Ziepfel, her family, her Girl Scouts and parents that all worked tirelessly feeding many hungry souls. We couldn t have done it without you. Please consider helping out and signing up on the yellow sign in the downstairs hallway or call Sharon Thompson at 742-9292. You ll be glad you did! 7
2015 FLOWER CHART The 2015 Flower Chart is hanging on the bulletin board in our downstairs hallway. If you would like to help beautify our Sanctuary in this way, pick a Sunday and enter your name on that line. If this is a special occasion i.e. Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation etc., simply add the occasion you are celebrating to that line, for your information to be added to our weekly bulletin. If room does not permit on that line, simply call Debbie in the church office, with the wording you would like in the bulletin. To all of you people with the Green Thumbs, would you consider sharing your talents with us, by bringing some of your flowers in on a Sunday? Christian Education News The Adult Sunday School Class is led by Kim Young on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. in the church annex. The class just started a new series entitled The Case for Faith. We will explore many of the difficult questions that we ask ourselves in our daily walk with our Christian Faith. Sunday school is a great time to learn more about the Bible and to relate what is discussed to current events and to your own personal walk with Christ. Please plan to join the group on Sundays for a time of coffee, fellowship, and sharing of faith. 8
Bible School News * New friends * Amazing experiments * Glacier games * Lip-smacking snacks * Surprising adventures * Fun Crafts * Incredible music Location: Venice Presbyterian Church VBS dates: July 6 10, 2015 From: 9:00 AM 11:45 AM To register or for more information, www.thevenicechurch.com or call: the church office at 738-1317 or Gayla Young VBS Director at 738-3708 The Coolest Week of the Summer! 9
Dear Pastor Jan, and Venice Presbyterian Church, Thank you for the gracious reception your congregation extended to me and my wife on Sunday, April 26, when we were privileged to present the Gideon Ministry in your church. It was a joy for us to be a part of your worship service. On behalf of The Gideons of the Hamilton Camp and The Gideons International, I want to express my sincere thanks to you and your Congregation for your support of the Gideon work. The offering which was given in the amount of $471.00 is tangible evidence of the love your congregation has for making the Word of God available to those who otherwise may not have a copy. This will enable 94 bibles or 362 New Testaments to be purchased and placed. We can pray that many precious souls will come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a result of these Scriptures being distributed. We enjoyed attending Sunday School class and viewing the DVD about faith. The discussion in class was very heartfelt and enlightening. Please tell Kim Young we appreciated her teaching. Please convey my thanks to Dale Hanson for his leadership in the service. He put me at ease with his kind help. Pastor Dillaman, we especially appreciate your prayerful support for this ministry. Thank you again for the privilege of representing The Gideons in your church on April 26, 2015. Adrian Bolser Gideons Hamilton Camp 10
Venice Preschool News Our preschool program is on summer break! Please contact us in the following ways for registration information for the 2015-2016 school year. 738-0158, vpcpreschool@thevenicechurch.com, www.venicepreschool.com 11
Junior Church Junior Church is continuing to focus on our Faith Weaver s Bible Study Series. The teachers will also be reading from a Bible Story Book each Sunday. We are trying to reinforce some of the traditional Bible stories and are encouraging the students to learn where those stories are in the Bible. We will also be sending home student study sheets beginning with the summer curriculum. We hope that you will ask your children what they learned that morning. Encourage them to share the Bible lessons and review the study sheet that they will be bringing home with them. Learning the Bible stories, becoming familiar with the Bible and sharing the information with others is a way for students to help put on the armor of faith to prepare them for the challenges that they will face as they grow into young adults. Junior church takes place on Sunday mornings during the worship service. Bring your children and grandchildren to church and plant the seed of faith. 12
1- TJ Heller 4 Kevin McBreen 4 Sally Schwoeppe 6 Grace Asher 6 Gary McBreen 6 - Jane Wilkinson 7 - Genevra Butterfield 7 - Gina Stitsinger 11 - Ashley Kirk 11 - Adam Schwoeppe 13 - Keith Eby 15 - Vernon Tragesser 17 - Jennifer Young 21 - Steve Maynard 22 - Curtis Reppart 23 - Marvin Jackson 30 - Judy Bohne 30 - Patty Wurzelbacher June 12 Matt and Kara Brandenburg June 16 Jim and Jane Springer June 18 Mike and Debbie Schwab June 19 Dennis and Barbara Ross June 23 Curt and Carole Reppart If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, please notify the office. 13
SUMMARY OF WORSHIP STUDY Thank you to all who responded to the worship study questionnaire. These data serve as insight to the preferences of our members and friends and will help guide the preparations for shaping and continuing meaningful and inspiring worship services. Accordingly we are sharing the written comments received and a graph which illustrates the preferences. As always, the VPC Staff highly value input regarding your thoughts which will help our church fulfill its mission in our community, so please feel free to contact Pastor Jan in order to share your ideas. 14
Worship Survey - Preliminary Assessment (28 Total Responses: Listed as Percentages Based on Number of Responses) Style of Worship Preferences Blended 71.4% Traditional 21.4% Contemporary 17.8% Worship Elements Choir anthem 71.4% More special music (solos, ensembles, etc.) 50.0% Other instruments beyond piano/organ 46.4% Shorter sermons emphasizing points in passages 32.0% Use of technology (projection, etc.) 32.0% Only a few congregational hymns 28.6% Times for personal reflection/prayer 28.6% Topical book studies/series 25.0% Hymn sing during sermon, 1 time per quarter 25.0% More organ exposure 21.4% Guest friendly bulletin 21.4% Longer sermons for Bible study 14.3% Spoken congregational prayers (+Lord s) 10.7% All Scripture readings from Lectionary 7.0% Willing to help with sanctuary decorations 0% 15
Please join us on Sunday, June 7th for Graduation Recognition Day. Please join us on Sunday, June 21st for Father s Day Recognition. ENVELOPE DASH Please watch for the envelope dash poster outside the sanctuary. Each $20.00 donation provides 1 meal and mileage for our Youth Group Mission Trip, June 21-25, in Grand Rapids, Michigan! Please put envelopes in with the regular offering, or bring by the office. 16
The Youth Group greatly appreciates all the prayers and support of our Mission Trip. Please keep us in your prayers each day as we do our small part to make the world a better place. Monday, June 22 We will be working in the John Knox Presbyterian choice food pantry, and at In the Image, a thrift store operating to provide clothing at a reduced rate for at risk clients. Tuesday, June 23 We will be giving 5 hours of gardening at St. John s Home, a residential and rehab housing facility for orphans and at risk children. Wednesday, June 24 We will be working at the Kid s Food Basket, an organization that provides free lunch and dinner bags for children who receive reduced or free lunch during the school year. We will be traveling to Michigan on Sunday, June 21st, and we will be traveling home on Thursday, June 25th. 17
Sun Mon Tue Wed 1 2 3 7p NA 7p Boy Scouts 6:30p Deacons 7:30p Choir 7 9:15a Adult SS 10:30a Worship 12:00p Youth 8 7p NA 9 6:30p Trustees 10 3:00p Quilt Grou 7:30p Choir Graduation Sunday 14 9:15a Adult SS 10:30a Worship 12:00p Youth FLAG DAY 21 9:15a Adult SS 10:30a Worship FATHER S DAY First Day of Summer Mission Trip begins 28 9:15a Adult SS 10:30a Worship 12:00p Youth 15 7p NA 22 7p NA 29 7p NA 16 17 7:30p Choir 23 24 7:30p Choir 30 18
Thu Fri Sat 4 5 6 ons r 8p AA 11 12 13 Group r 7:00p Session 8p AA 9a RAMM r 18 19 8p AA 20 8:30a Men s Group Breakfast (Country Barrel - Okeana) 9:30a Investment Committee 25 26 27 r 8p AA 11a-2p Party in the Park (Venice Gardens) Mission Trip ends 19
Venice Presbyterian Church 4244 Layhigh Road PO Box 41 Ross, Ohio 45061 Phone: (513) 738-1317 Fax: (513) 738-2060 email: churchoffice@thevenicechurch.com www.thevenicechurch.com Worship Service - 10:30a Junior Church - during worship service Sent in Christian love to: Venice View June 2015 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Permit #393 Fairfield, Ohio 20