For example, I have completed two workshops required by the Disciples of Christ for all their clergy—one having to do with maintaining proper gender boundaries for clergy and the other having to do with combating racism.  Some continuing education opportunities focus upon pastoral care issues, others on church administration.  Ordained clergy wear a lot of hats, and both Kevin and I seek to maintain our competencies in all of them through continuing education—most recently in the area of preaching.

Without prodding, denominational or otherwise, we might be inclined toward laxity when it comes to continuing education.  With so many things to do it is easy to neglect the "optional" responsibilities, such as staying current in our professional pursuits.  How much more prodding might we need to continue our spiritual development?  So allow me to offer a little prodding as we consider our New Year’s Resolutions.  First and foremost is faithfulness to our pew.  Let us keep the Sabbath Day holy by ceasing from life’s distractions so that we may apply ourselves to God’s Word as is variously proclaimed in worship.

Second, consider a refresher course in Bible study and/or theological reflection through the various group opportunities currently offered at The Church in Aurora.  On any given week we have study groups for men, women and mixed adults; groups that meet during the daytime and evening hours, and groups that meet on weekdays and Sundays.  You will find these group offerings on the calendar attached to every Spire.  You will also find short-term study groups on focused topics such as parenting, financial responsibility or marriage enrichment.

Finally, consider leading a group in an area of interest to you.  Do you have a book you would like to discuss in a group setting, or a social issue of concern, or a need to meet with other singles, or a short-term Bible study, or a theological curriculum that has sparked your interest?  See me about how to launch an interest-gauging article in the Spire, display a sign-up sheet and/or arrange for a bulletin insert and plug during Sunday morning Words of Welcome.  If interest is expressed by a core group, you will find the church very accommodating in terms of providing space and other resources.

In the meantime, Rev. Horak and I will continue modeling the kinds of choices that help us grow in grace and understanding and ministry to our family of faith.  Please join us in this sacred calling of "Raising Up a Family of Faith." -Bill

January 6 – Rev. Horak (Communion)

January 13 – Rev. Schnell

January 20 – Rev. Schnell

January 27 – Youth Sunday (9:30 a.m.), Congregational Meeting (11:00 a.m.).

November 25 – 9:30 - 141; 11:00 - 94; Total – 235

December 2 – 9:30 - 169; 11:00 - 134; Total – 303

December 9 – 9:30 - 163; 11:00 - 134; Total – 297

December 16 – 9:30 - ; 11:00 – ; Total –

First Time Visitors – (11-25) Debbie Blakeway (12-2) Mike, Claudia, Katie & Ben Whisler of Southington, OH

Births – Nathaniel Joseph, son of Scott & Beth Wolf, grandson of Alice Ann & Ken Wolf

Baptisms – MaKenzee Lynn Feskanin; Evan Thomas Radzanowski, son of Tom & Kris Radzanowski; Brennan Michael Scope; Joseph William Scope; William Caden Koeth

Natalie Hodge was named to the Second Team of the RPC’s Volleyball All-Stars.

Heather Schroeder scored 9 points and had 6 assists in her first varsity basketball game.

Dan Simpson received Honorable Mention in the Associated Press Northeast Inland all-district football team.

Stephen Wong and Evan Buehler were part of the winning 200 medley relay team at the Bedford Relays swim meet.

Jason Allenspach was voted RPC Girl’s Soccer Coach of the Year.

Laura Holman has been named Aurora’s Person of the Year.

Steve Spinelli was the silver medalist in the national Drug-free Power Lifting Meet in Colorado.

Justin Morrison pinned his opponent at the wresting match against Wickliffe.

Nutcracker Sweets 2008 – There will be a meeting on January 9^th at 7:00 PM in Fellowship Hall for anyone interested in making "Nutcracker Sweets" 2008 a reality!  As the profits from "Nutcracker" benefit not only missions but every department in our church, we are hoping there will be a large turnout for this meeting.  Please bring your ideas, creative thoughts and offers to help out our chairman, Joni Hanson.  If you have any questions please call me at 330-562-6261.  Thank you so much.  Tanya Shively, Women’s Guild President

2009 WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!  The church will celebrate its bicentennial that year and we are already getting ready.  Let us know what you would like to see as part of that very special celebration.  All ideas and suggestions can be forwarded on to Rev. Horak.

Live Christmas Trees for Sale – Aurora Cub Scouts will be selling trees this holiday season next to Hollywood Video.  Trees will be on sale beginning Nov. 24 and ending Dec. 23.  Sales are open from 6 – 8:30 PM on Thursday and Friday evenings, with Saturday/Sunday sales from 10 AM to 7 and 6 PM respectively.

3H PM.  We are planning on enjoying another evening of fellowship on Thursday, January 10, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM in the Stephen Ministry Room.   Plans will be to share Chapters 9 and 10 from Beth Moore's book, Believing God, as we continue working on our afghans and prayer shawls.  ~ Kathleen Horak, 330-562-1930.

Women’s Guild – The January Women’s Guild meeting is the ever-popular Soup and Salad lunch.  Simply bring a soup, salad or dessert to share.  If that is difficult to do, you can always contribute the usual $4 to defray the cost of paper products.

Our speaker that day will be Rev. Kevin Horak.  He will share his extensive Ward and Sears catalog collection with us and reflect upon a century of American morals and manners as shown in their pages.  This promises to be very interesting and entertaining.

Please join us at 11:30 AM in Fellowship Hall on January 9^th for a very special day.  Feel free to bring a friend.

CHURCH LIBRARY – So many have asked me if we have the newest Nicholas Sparks book.  Yes, yes, yes.  The Choice is typical Sparks, a love story, but is it just one-sided?

All of you Jan Karon fans will be happy to know that she has started a new series.  However, Father Tim doesn't go back to Mitford, but Home to Holly Springs, his birthplace in Mississippi.  He hasn't been there in many years, so why go back now?

Solomon's Temple, Myth and History, with 202 illustrations is a beautiful book.  Built around 968 B.C., the temple was destroyed in 586 B.C., but the site remains one of the most sacred places on earth for Christians, Jews and Muslims.  There is a chapter on the beliefs and traditions of each of these religions. 

We truly appreciate the support of Circle A.  The ladies are donating the profits from their holiday bake sale to our library.  

Book Group Update – The Book Study Group will continue its discussion of Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert on Wednesday, January 2, in the Church Library.  Please bring suggestions for next month’s selection.  For more information, contact Bonnie Niebuhr (330/995-5084).

Care for the Community - Stephen Ministry is a care-giving ministry for all church members, their friends and their families in the local area.  Compassionate volunteer lay people are equipped by a training program and commissioned by the church to go forth and care for others.  Stephen Ministry provides a confidential Christian friend at a time when life may seem to be at a low.  Stephen Ministers are familiar with community resources appropriate for special circumstances and can help provide referrals.

3-H Circle – 3-H Circle ladies will be busy again when they meet Friday, January 4, at 9:30 AM in Fellowship Hall.  Four Portage County nursing homes will be receiving "care" pillows made by 3-H members.  We need help in several ways: stuffing the towels, machine finishing, label making and hand sewing.  Members and friends, please bring needles, white thread, scissors…and a friend!  Remember…Helping Hands bring Hope…that’s why we are called "3-H".  For more information, call Marion Tarbell (330-571-4500) or Pat Way (330-673-7917),

Wanted! Used Ink Cartridges and Cell phones—Upgrading your cell phones this holiday season?  Don't throw away your old ones!  Please save them for the Workcamp Fund.  A drop-off basket is in the Great Hall. Large quantity pick-ups of laser print cartridges are available.  Contact Kim Williamson at 330-562-4930 for information.  HELP SAVE OUR LANDFILLS while providing financial support for Workcamp!

You must love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39

15 shopping bags of food and 3 bags of stuffed animals were collected for Aurora families in need by the 5^th and 6^th Grade girls and boys church school classes. The collection was the result of their study of Jesus’ commandments. After hearing from Sue Altman about the Volunteers of America food bank and holiday needs, everyone went to work. In three short weeks the project was completed with the help of the students’ parents. Many of the students said the project made them feel good. Thanks to Carol Kalp for coordinating this successful mission event.

Board Meeting – November Board Meeting – The Church in Aurora Board met on Monday, November 19, in the "blue room" in the recently refurbished Escape.  The meeting was held one week later than normal due to the Moderator’s travel schedule.  The meeting began with a presentation from Boy Scout troop 265.  The troop is looking for a new location to hold Scout meetings.  Ted Hollo, Elders, will review the Scout’s request and get back to the Board with a summary proposal for review and approval.

Peter French, Moderator, noted that ytd worship service attendance is down 9% from last year. Together with the Board, Peter thanked Mary Wallace for her hard work and leadership in organizing a successful "Honor a Friend" day.  Peter also reported that Mary had been appointed to the Bicentennial committee.

Jim Maulis, Assoc. Moderator, reported that the Long Range Planning committee had finished its study on the 20-40 year old segment of church membership and distributed a copy for review by the Board. 

Jim Niebuhr, Treas., noted that 2007 Faith Promise receipts had picked up, but that it still looked like we would end the year below our budget income.

Tom Siewiorek, Stewardship, reported that based on current results the 2008 Faith Promise campaign could end up $33,000 short of our goal.  A contingency plan will be developed at the next Stewardship meeting. 

The Trustees report noted that the church painting and waterproofing projects had been completed and that discussions on the upgrade to our fire alarm system are continuing.

Gordon Ober, Deacons, advised the Board that they are compiling a list of medically trained church members that could be available to assist in the Sanctuary if a medical emergency were to occur.

Martha Gray, Women’s Guild, advised the Board that there will be a 2008 Nutcracker Sweets planning meeting for all concerned and interested on January 9^th at 7 PM.  Details will appear in the January Spire. 

Please contact Peter French, Moderator, 330-562-3352 or PEFrenchsr@aol.com, if you have any questions regarding the Board meeting.

December ’07 Board Meeting – The Church in Aurora Board met on December 10^th.  Peter French, Moderator, noted that year to date attendance through November had improved to down 8.2%, from down 9% at the end of October.  Average worship service attendance is 267 vs. 291 last year.

Jim Niebuhr, Treas., asked all committees to make an effort to reduce December expenses, as at the end of November it appeared that total income could be $10,000-15,000 below budget.  Jim is, however, hopeful that December receipts will put us in a break even position by year end.  Ed Williams, Stewardship, noted that our current Faith Promise campaign has been very successful relative to past years.  However, their current projection is to achieve 96% of the $517,880 goal, which would leave us about $22,000 short of our FP income target.  Ed also reported an excellent response of over $29,000 from first time givers.  Peter French, Moderator, noted that current 2008 budget income and expense projections showed a deficit of approximately $55,000 and asked all committees, especially the Trustees and Elders, to review their 2008 budgets and be prepared to discuss cutbacks at the next budget meeting in early January.  The final budget will be submitted to the Board on January 14^th, and then to the congregation on January 27^th.

Ted Hollo, Elders, presented a request by a "profit" organization wanting to rent church space for regular weekly use.  The Board declined the request as it was not a "non-profit" organization, and could require use of church space dedicated for other activities as well as increased security and maintenance costs.  Ted then presented a proposal to become a sponsor for Boy Scout Troop 265.  "Sponsorship" would include weekly meetings at our church plus some other administrative requirements.  The Board approved a motion to become a sponsor subject to details of the agreement being finalized by the Elders.

Jimmy Eavenson, Missions, noted that this year’s Caring Tree included 199 names, up 25% from last year, and that they expect all cards will be taken.

Jodi Spinelli, Fellowship, reported that the "hanging of the greens" was completed, but the turnout of volunteers was less than hoped for.  New ideas will be considered in an effort to increase the participation next year.

 Martha Gray, Women’s Guild, confirmed their annual Christmas luncheon for the next day, as well as their Jan 9^th program which will be the "Retail Catalog" presented by Kevin Horak.  Martha also reminded the Board of the Nutcracker Sweets meeting on Jan 9^th at 7pm.

December Trivia - The original Federated Church Memorial Organ was in memory of whom?  "Our Boys, who answered their country’s call in the World War 1917-1918" (from the plaque on the wall to the right of the altar)

January Trivia - How much money has the Endowment Fund distributed to The Church in Aurora since 1999?

A reminder of two CARE TEAM services brought to you year-round: If you missed a service and would like an audio tape, contact Flip Eavenson at 330-995-6268, or borrow one from the church Library (located in the top drawer of the cherry chest near the door).  As the weather changes, remember members of the CARE TEAM offer parking assistance during Sunday services to those in need.  Please contact Flip Eavenson by the Saturday before, if you desire this "service with a smile"!  If you would like to learn more about or donate some time to the CARE TEAM, please contact Flip Eavenson at 330-995-6268.

Mission of the Month – This month the Missions Committee is dedicating the Vesper and Christmas offerings to America’s Second Harvest/Cleveland Food Bank and Haven of Rest Ministries respectively.

America’s Second Harvest is a national organization whose mission is to create a hunger-free America.  It is the largest charitable hunger-relief organization in America with a network of more than 200 certified food banks and rescue organization affiliates serving all 50 states.  The Cleveland Food Bank is an affiliate of America’s Second Harvest.

Haven of Rest Ministries is the largest private social service organization in the Summit/Portage county areas.  Its purpose is to serve God through Christ-centered outreach of love and compassion that responds to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of disadvantage men, women and children.