Steeple News

Steeple News
July and August 2008

	“For God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7

Summertime. Kids are home from school. People sit on the front porch and sip lemonade. Dogs find the shade of a cool tree to sleep under. Images to beat the heat and slow the pace of life.

And where have I been? Unlike the kids, I’ve been sitting in a classroom without air conditioning taking notes on the biblical and scriptural mandates of “welcoming the stranger”. Last week I attended a continuing education seminar at Centro Romero in San Diego. Don’t feel too sorry for me – whereas the lectures were long, hot and grueling, I did find time to go to the beach and to squeeze in a visit down to Esperanza and see Ryan.

The conference provided the scriptural undergirding for theological issues relating to the border, immigration, environment, and anthropology. Like me, many of you have been there and know first hand some of the problems at stake.

You know that as citizens of the US, we can freely travel back and forth but the citizens of Mexico are not granted the same freedoms. An example, Raquel, Ryan’s fiancée has a passport. She can travel to any country in the world including Canada, but she cannot come to the US. It takes a special visa that the US government refuses to grant.

You know the disparity of wealth. A comment made by one of our members last February is stuck in my brain. “Amazing what a difference a road makes.” In just a short distance, the highway goes from 7 lanes of smooth pavement to 2 lanes of paved potholes and then to compacted dirt with bumps. Many of the homes in San Diego are actually second homes, vacation homes, places to sit on the veranda and sip that lemonade. But the homes on the other side of the wall are combinations of discarded garage doors, pallets, and tarps or if you are lucky, made of concrete and brightly painted colors to bring some life to the drab dirt yards that surround them.

You know the environmental dangers caused by air pollutants, and toxic run off created by the US factories that have relocated in Mexico. Kids with skin disorders, mothers who birth babies with defects, the absence of fathers altogether.

You know the border is an ugly rusted metal wall. It separates people who are neighbors, it separates families, it separates God’s people. Separation is sin.

³¹“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, ³³and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. ³⁴Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; ³⁵for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ …

…‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

When you sit on your patio to beat the heat and slow the pace of life. Let your mind wander south of the border and say a prayer for those “the least of these”. Then open your mouths and tell others about the house we built for Luz and Mario. It is now painted sunflower yellow and Luz was so glad to see us again. Serenilla and her kids were thrilled to accompany the UCC group from Kansas-Oklahoma Conference to the baseball game: Tijuana vs. Mexico City. Tijuana got clobbered. Serenilla now has walls and Ryan’s welding a beautiful iron gate for her entryway. Life goes on. They remember us and thank God for our visit. Rev. Joyce

In case you haven’t been in church recently, we have a new roof over the sanctuary and will now need to get the plaster and paint damage in the sanctuary repaired. You may have noticed that our Methodist neighbors have put in a parking lot. They are completely on their own property and they have placed drainage tiling to prevent water from entering our Fowler Room as well. The parsonage needs a new roof at this time also. It’s just like our own house there is always something to be done. There will also be a group traveling to Biloxi, Mississippi in August to help with the rebuilding process in Biloxi. Please remember to keep them, the youth group on their mission trip and trip to Tennessee and all of our church friends and family in prayers as they travel this summer for relaxation, to visit loved ones and on mission. Like the children’s moment story from this past week, let our Christ Like-ness show in all that we do everyday, not just in what we say. Amen.

All are gifted by God and all are called. Generally the notion of call is understood as a calling to ministry, with a path that leads to ordination. But God grants persons varied talents and abilities and calls us all to serve in many ways. The process of discernment is a method of reflecting on life’s journeys that can open us up to hearing God’s voice urging us in a certain direction, whether in an educational or vocational path, love, a spiritual journey or some other aspect of life.

1 . The church is looked to by many for vision, direction, and courage. People long to know the scriptures, to become articulate about faith, and to see more clearly the relationship between the gospel and the realities of the world. Life-long learning enables persons to discern the shape of discipleship throughout the changing course of their lives.

2 . As centers of hope and transformation, local churches engage, in the tradition of Jesus, in discerning, cultivating and using the gifts of Christ’s disciples for the common good. —ucc.org

Together Pilgrim Hills and Templed Hills were $600,000 in debt in 2007. While this is a large sum, if divided equally among all the adult members of every Ohio UCC congregation, it ends up being only $ 5 each to retire the entire debt! That's pocket change! "It Makes Cents" is a special collection to put our camps back "in the black."

If every UCC church member in Ohio gave just $ 5 toward debt retirement, our camps would stay strong for another generation.

So far NWOA congregations have contributed $ 16,779.75, much of it in small gifts. For example, St. Paul UCC in Wapakoneta raised $2,615.71 simply by putting out a collection box in the shape of a camp cabin, and drawing members attention to it. The first day the camp collection box was out, an 8-year-old girl dug into her baggie full of pennies to pick out the quarters only, giving the best she had. An 8^thgrade boy, on learning of the retire-the-debt challenge, chose to do his part all at once by putting in a $5 bill. Interestingly, neither youngster had attended one of our camps -- yet! Can their generous giving inspire each of us to do our share?

Checks and bills in any denomination will be gratefully received, as well as change. How can we at First Congregational support “It Makes Cents” ?

National Youth Event. We are counting down the days until we leave for Knoxville, TN on July 24th. There will be five people from our congregation going (we have room for 1 more). They include Rylie Holler, Alexis Burnham, Grant Coleman, and Sara Holler and Kirsten Lux. We will be traveling with the Northwest Ohio Delegation in a stream-lined excursion bus. The Association has set aside a $100 per person grant. The registration cost for NYE is $345 per person + $80 for transportation. Please support our upcoming car washes.

The National Youth Event is only held once every 4 years. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be filled with opportunities for exciting worship, great music, fun workshops, recreation and fellowship!

Thank you for the bake sale donations and for the individual that pledged $50 per person.

Two Youth Car Washes are being planned. The first one will be on July 12th and the next one on August 23rd from 9 AM—1PM. They will be at the Marathon Station in Berlin Heights with proceeds going toward the expenses of the youth trip to the National Youth Event in Knoxville, TN. Donations only. Please let us help wash the dust off your vehicles.

After a recent audit, we were told that the treasurer should not be counting the offering money. Therefore, the trustees count the offering after worship every Sunday morning. Your help is needed.

· The amount for your offering to OCWM or any other mission project needs to be noted on your envelope.

· Any questions concerning your church offering number, please contact the Church Secretary, Mary Ann Robinson, or the Contributions Secretary, Denise Leonard.

Julie Shupe, Carl Wright, Ashley Franklin, David Ratti, Phil (Dan Pogacsnik’s friend), Cindy Hillman, Gert Whidden, Don Smith,Tammy Shupe, Mike Oehling, Sharon Weber, Linda Grech, Walter Meagrow Sr., Luella Tuttle, Caren Kindle (friend of Phil Grech), the families of Ben Miller and Diane Bauer.

To everyone who participated in Son World Vacation Bible School. It was a wonderful week with 121 young people participating with 28 registrations over the internet.

Thank you for your recent $100.00 contribution to the Big Brothers Big Sister organization of Erie County, Inc. We are an agency that is committed to putting friends into the lives of children through one-to-one mentoring and hope into those children’s futures. Sincerely, Mary Ann Campbell

Angel Food Ministry is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States. The program began in 1994 with 34 families in Monroe, Georgia (between Atlanta and Athens), and has grown to serve hundreds of thousands of families every month across 32 states.

Each regular unit cost $30.00 and contains both fresh and frozen top quality food items with an average retail value of $60. Every month there are different regular menu along with specials. Each regular box of food will assist in feeding a family of four for about one week, or a single senior citizen for almost a month.

Who qualifies? Everyone, there are no applications or qualifications to order Angel Food.

Where does the food come from? Our food is “restaurant grade” meats, frozen vegetables, fruits, dairy products, etc. which we acquire through our involvement with only the best producers/vendors of high quality, “name brand” foods. Never “seconds” or “day old” type products are involved.

Can we purchase more than one unit or special? Yes, you can purchase as many regular units as you would like. To purchase a special box you must first order a regular unit.

For more information about Angel Food Ministries, visit their website for a host church close to you: www.angelfoodministries.org or 1620 South Broad Street , Monroe, GA 30655 or call 770-267-7015 / 888-819-3745

July is close at hand…and it’s time for another summer program at the community center. The focus this year revolves around roulade. Don’t know what that is? Well come to the summer program to find out.

Children who have just completed grades K – 5 are invited to bring a sack lunch at noon and then stay for a program with hands-on activities, with the day ending at 2:30 PM. This year’s program will take place on the Tuesday’s after July 4^th. In other words, the 8^th, the 15^th, the 22^nd and the 29^th. Cost is $2.00 per week. Advanced sign-up is required for 1, 2, 3, or all 4 sessions. Please register with Kirsten Lux 419-202-1959 before July 1^st.

Join your church at Camp Victory on July 17th. We will be painting so bring old work clothes along. Then we will go to Camp Sandusky and stay overnight. Breakfast will be included in the cost of $8.00. We will depart the church at 11:00 AM and return the next day by 9:00 AM. Please sign-up on the bulletin board or call Kirsten Lux.

At Sunday School, they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs.
Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she said, "Johnny, what is the matter?" Little Johnny responded, "I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife."

Don’t all kids enjoy a day at the playground? We are going for a morning of “playground hopping” on August 6^th. We will meet at 8:30 AM in front of the church and go to a local town to play at several playgrounds. We will conclude the morning with a lunch of ice cream FIRST and then a sandwich. We’ll return to Berlin Heights by 1:00 PM. Please sign up on the bulletin board or call Kirsten 419-202-1959. Cost is $4.00 per child. Please bring a bottle of water!

What age kids??? …well any kids who like the playground! I’ll need some help with transportation.

The long hot days of summer have finally arrived so it’s time to turn off the TV and head outside to play. Keep the kids entertained with these fun outdoor games and activities.

· A scavenger hunt. Your child can do this activity alone, with a friend or in teams. Give your child a list of items to find in nature, such as a rock, dandelion, leaf or something a bird would eat. Have the kids draw pictures of what they find and finish the hunt by tallying up how many things they ticked off the list.

· Kick the Can. A variation on Hide and Seek, this game works best with at least three kids. One person is designated “it” and will guard the “can” (an empty coffee can or ball) which is set in an open space. While the other players hide, the “it” counts to 20 (or higher) and then tries to find and tag the other players. If captured, players must go to “jail”. Any player who hasn’t been caught can run in and kick the can, setting all of the captured players free. If the “it” finds everyone, he wins the game.

Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.

Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.

Place the small bag inside the large one and seal again carefully.

Shake until mixture is ice cream, about 5 minutes. Wipe off top of small bag, then open carefully and enjoy!

There is a new vaccine called Zostavax which can greatly reduce the number of Shingles outbreaks a person would otherwise experience. Shinglesis a painful rash consisting of blisters that run along nerve pathways. Each outbreak lasts from 2-4 weeks, and the pain can be quite severe. In some cases, the pain lasts a month or more after the blisters disappear. Because this is such a painful condition, there is a great deal of excitement over a new vaccine that has recently been approved.

Only people who have had chicken pox can get shingles. The virus that causes chicken pox does not go away—instead it hides in nerve cells that are located near the spinal cord. In most people the virus will simply be dormant (inactive), but as people age and their resistance weakens, the virus can “come to life.” When it does, the virus multiplies and damages these nerve cells, and that is what causes the pain. The first symptom a person will usually have is pain, itching, or even a tingling on one side of the body or face. Then the virus travels to the skin causing blisters. To make matters worse, some people progress to postherpectic neuralgia, which is severe, chronic pain that lasts long after the initial outbreak. Postherpectic neuralgia causes a great deal of physical and emotional suffering, because even clothing or a cool breeze touching the area can cause excruciating pain.

Major risk factors for developing shingles are advancing age and reduced resistance. Actually, half of all people who reach age 85 will experience shingles. Because people are living longer, there is an urgent need for a vaccine of this kind. This vaccine was only tested on people over 60 years of age, so it is currently not approved for anyone under 60. While it only prevented ½ the number of expected outbreaks, for those who did have an episode, the pain and general discomfort was reduced by 61% as compared to the placebo group. The study revealed few serious side effects. And more good news, the percentage of people who developed postherpectic neuralgia was reduced by 2/3. The vaccine must be received before the first out

break of shingles occurs, because it has been proven as a preventative, but not a treatment for anyone with shingles or postherpetic neuralgia. Almost anyone can take the vaccine, with the exception being anyone already in a weakened condition from disease.

The initial study followed vaccinated people for four years, and will continue to follow these patients to determine how long the benefits of the vaccine lasts before a booster is needed. The Erie County Health Department offers the vaccine for $188.00. Please call 410-626-5623ext 174 to make an appointment for the vaccine.

Get your group together and come to camp to help out. Lunch provided. Bring work gloves and basic tools. Job details available closer to work dates. Call 800-282-0740, ext. 207 or email campregistrar@ocucc.org for details.

The first meeting was held for the group going to Biloxi in August. We still have room for a few more if you are interested or would like to invite a friend. We will be leaving on August 9th and returning on August 17th. We will be traveling all together in a rental van and be staying overnight enroute (somewhere near Nashville, TN.) Total cost will be $375.00.

The weather in Biloxi is expected to be hot and humid. The bugs will be plentiful and so will be the work. God will see us through. There will be jobs suitable for all persons at every skill levels. Volunteers must be aged at least 16 due to the conditions in the area. If you would like more information please contact the church office.

Tuesday evening July 15th beginning at 7:00 in the Fowler Room we will be having an orientation for persons interested in exploring church membership. If you have been visiting and would like to take this next step, please join us on this evening.

to host a public meeting at Berlin Heights Community Center on July 9th and August 6th at 6:00 PM. The meetings will be held for Watershed Planning for Old Woman’s Creek. For more information call Bre Hohman at 419-626-5211.

· Saturday 9:00 AM – Women’s Fellowship Country Store opens for business. Baked goods, fresh fruit and veggies, pickles, relish, and jams will be available. Bring items to donate to the BH CC by 9:00 AM. Thanks!

· Saturday 11:00 AM – Point of Light Pork BBQ begins. Roast Pork Sandwiches, chips and a drink will be served at the BH CC. Cost is $6.00 for the meal.

· Garden Club Flower Show Saturday August 2 10AM—5PM

Sunday August 3 11AM—5PM

· Sunday 11:00 AM – Visit our Parish Nurse Parasol. Blood pressure checks, and “health goodies” will be available.

Finalist Matt Dorame, 22, is a member of First Congregational UCC in Phoenix. He is one of 16 finalists on the hit reality dance show, which incorporates American-Idol-style voting from the viewing public. According to his mother, "Matt has a strong faith that keeps him grounded". "He had attended various churches searching for a place where he could feel comfortable and welcomed." For more information see www.ucc.org/news.

New Cookbooks being published.
Please start to think about your favorite recipes and which ones you might share. The Women’s Fellowship is planning to put together a new cookbook this fall. More details will be coming in September, but for now start pouring over the recipe files and set aside your favorites.

Need that FIRST cup of coffee or tea in the morning? Love your Java? Well, a new shipment of coffee has arrived. The coffee is located on the credenza in the Fowler Room and is sold on an honor system. Just put your money in the envelope and if needed make yourself change.

This is a UCC Coffee Project. Equal Exchange pays farmers a fair price for their crops and allows them to build a better future for their families. For each 12 oz. bag of coffee you buy, $1.00 goes to our Point of Light Missions!

· Americans drink approximately 320 million cups of coffee every day? 20 percent of the world's total coffee production.

Some 20 million people near the equator depend on coffee for their livelihood, but for many the coffee trade keeps them trapped in poverty. With little access to markets, farmers often sell through middlemen who offer the lowest price possible. With world coffee prices in constant flux, farmers have no guarantee of how much they will receive for their crop.