The Church In Aurora - Newsletters - General

Volume XLXIII January 2009 Number 1

A Message from the Minister – 2009. There, I’ve typed it. Usually I am late getting the hang of a new year, having to rewrite the date on a few checks before I get it right. For a change I am writing the New Year early, as this article is being composed a few weeks into December 2008. But already I am in the frame of mind for counting the years in keeping with the New Year’s holiday. Technically speaking, I will become the third longest serving Senior Pastor of The Church in Aurora on January 27, 2009. I say “technically” because the predecessor whose tenure I am surpassing (Rev. William Van Auken—our Pastor Emeritus) continued on as a part-time Co-Pastor for 4 years after serving as Senior Minister for 13 years, 1 month and 23 days. Rev. Van Auken brought us such things as “Questions from the Pew” and his wife, Sister Jane, who, following her graduation from seminary, became a part-time Co-Pastor with him and later a full-time Senior Pastor in her own right.

To put things in further perspective. The fellows in the number 1 and 2 positions have over twice the years of service as I (and I would have to serve until I was 76 to catch them). Our founding Pastor, John Seward, served the longest at 32 years. J.R. Hutcherson came in at 31 ½ years. Brother J.R. was a history buff. Indeed some of his lead articles for the Spire were in the form of letters written to his dearly departed predecessors in pulpit including “Priest Seward.” J.R. knew of Brother Seward’s tenure as surely as I know of both, and it is a measure of the man that he would preserve the honor of longest tenure for Brother Seward by retiring 6 months early.

The shortest tenure among my predecessors belongs to Rev. Dr. John Bathgate who, among other things, had a reading knowledge of Latin, Greek and German, and a speaking knowledge of French and Hindi. He was called by the congregation to succeed J.R. upon the latter’s retirement, but was diagnosed with what amounted to a terminal malignancy just before his planned relocation to our town. He wrote a moving letter to the congregation expressing his regrets in the Spire published just after the issue that announced his call to service. In it he said, “My own disappointment is painful as I think of the great kindness and the warmth of friendship and hospitality you have shown me, and as I sense the loss of a great opportunity. I believe deeply, however, that in all things God is able to work for good with those who love him and that ultimately our strongest security is in knowing that we walk by faith and not by sight.” God, in his wisdom, chose to yoke Rev. Dr. John Bathgate with The Church in Aurora in Christian ministry for the briefest of seasons. We recall his name with gratitude.

Other Senior Pastors with tenures of note include Owen Livengood (10 years service), whose influence within his family procured our pipe organ and first Organist—not to mention the Choir Director--and D.B. Pearson (12 years service) who was our highest profile Senior Pastor. This fellow led the congregation to become the first Federated Church in Ohio, and one of the first in America. He became a national spokesperson for the Federated Church Movement while The Church in Aurora became known in newspapers far and wide as “The Biggest Little Church in America.” Even though Brother Pearson’s dream for a Federated Church revolution did not transpire, he and his dream deserve further study as expressions of our continuing ecumenical commitment through the years.

With the arrival of 2009 I find myself counting the years of my tenure which are coinciding with the move into a new millennium, a bicentennial celebration for this historic congregation and an age of computers like the one upon which this article is being composed. Given the long and rich story of our unfolding ministry in the name of Jesus Christ, and the part I am privileged to fulfill for however long the Lord wills, you can see how, for me, The Church in Aurora is “More Than A Landmark.” -Bill

In the Pulpit during January

January 4 – Rev. Schnell (Communion)

January 11 – Rev. Horak

January 18 – Rev. Schnell

January 25 – Rev. Schnell (Worship at 9:30 only)

Worship Attendance

November 23 (Honor a Friend) – 9:30 – 171; 11:00 - 171; – Total – 342

November 30 – 9:30 - 149; 11:00 - 136; Total – 285

December 7 – 9:30 – 152; 11:00 – 107; Total – 259

Children’s Christmas Pageant – 146

December 14 – 9:30 - 135; 11:00 - 129; Total – 264

December 14 (Vespers) – 320

December 21 – 9:30 - 159; 11:00 - 149; Total – 308

News of Members and Friends

First Time Visitors – (11/16) Kyle & Melissa Creamer of Aurora, Natalie Harr of Streetsboro (11/23) Linda Will of Streetsboro, Chuck Sperow of Punta Gorda, FL, Renee Ellman of Solon, Danielle Swana of Pasadena, MD, Susan Harnden of South Euclid, Yvonne & Marty Zanko of Macedonia, Lois Lorence of Aurora (11/30) Krista Pickle of Boston, MA, Dorothy Drury, Los Angeles, CA, Henry & Lorraine Becker of West Avon, CT, Wes & Marcy Kretzer of Aurora (12/7) Ginny Kozel of Aurora

Baptisms – James Eldridge Kuty, son of Thomas & Jennifer Kuty, grandson of JoAnn French, Peter & Muriel French

Memorials – Jack Betzhold; Steve Ryncarz, father of Amy Groth and Adam Ryncarz;

Births – Thomas James Omartian, son of Charity & Jim Omartian

CALENDAR CHANGE – The Church Office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 25 and 26, rather than on Wednesday and Thursday, December 23 and 24, as was previously reported.

ANNUAL MEETING – Our Annual Congregational Meeting will take place on Sunday, January 25^th, at 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary. There will only be one worship service that morning at 9:30 AM

VOA Food Pantry Needs – Thanks to your generous gifts to the Food Pantry when the call went out, we are glad to announce that they are stocked with food. This month they need paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, small bottles of dish washing soap and laundry detergent. Thank you for all you give!

Audio Tapes of our services are available in the top drawer of the chest next to the door in the library.

5^th & 6^th Grade Church School Mission Project – 20 shopping bags of food were collected for needy families by the 5th and 6th Grade boys and girls church school classes for their fall local mission project. After hearing from Sue Altman about the Volunteers of America Aurora food pantry and holiday needs, everyone went to work. In three short weeks the project was completed with the help of the students’ parents and exceeded last years in gathering.

THANK YOU HABITAT HELPERS! A big THANK YOU goes to all those who volunteered to provide and serve the luncheon to the Habitat of Portage County volunteer workers in Atwater, OH on Saturday, December 6. A bountiful lunch of chili, hot dogs, crackers, vegetable tray, cheese tray, bananas, apples, clementines and a variety of cookies and bars was served. Those who provided the food were Mary Beth Alexander, Bonnie Charvat, Elaine Duncan, Joy Evans, Eva Holmes, Ginny Miller, Lillian Papp, Anne Ramsay, Helen Rankin, Fran Rassix, Joanne Rose, Nancy Schnell and Marti Wagner. Those who delivered the food to Atwater and served the lunch were Bonnie Charvat, John and Margi McDonald and Winnie Tucker. The hot lunch was much appreciated on a cold day!

The volunteers are working on four houses all in a row on the same street. They are finishing up wallboard; running water and heat are next on the agenda. The houses are to be finished by the end of January. This has been a challenging work load for volunteers.

Please stay tuned for the next volunteer opportunity for our church.

Thanks, Margi

2009 OFFERING ENVELOPES – If you checked the box on your Faith Promise card that you would like envelopes, they have been provided for you and are on a table in the Great Hall. Please save the church the postage and pick them up between now and the beginning of the new year. If you don’t see any there for you and would like some, contact Carol Keister (ext. 225) and she will take care of that for you.

I would like to thank my wonderful church family for all the cards, prayers and other expressions of concern after my fall. They were very much appreciated. Marge Wolf

Control: To Exercise Influence over Conditions – Humans like to be in control, having the power to choose exactly what is going to happen and when. Unfortunately life isn’t like that —we only think we’re in control. So when something happens and we realize we’re not in control, we feel lost, overwhelmed, angry, even terrified. Stephen Ministers are trained to help when things are out of control. They provide support and encouragement while helping a person put faith and trust in God. If you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry, please call Russ Post (330/562-9789) or Susan Kray (330/562-1344).

WOMEN’S GUILD – What better way to bring in the New Year than at the Women’s Guild Soup, Salad and Dessert lunch. It will be January 14, 2009, at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Bring a soup, salad or dessert and the cost of lunch is “free”. If you are unable to contribute, it will be the usual $4 for lunch. A bargain no matter how you look at it.

You will be twice as lucky that day because our program is especially good, too! Deborah Guziak, the “Erma Bombeck” of the Record-Courier will be entertaining us with her delightful stories. Our President, Tanya Shively, will share devotions which will most likely get us on a positive start for 2009.

Please join us and be sure to bring a friend!

Sub-Sandwich Sunday is approaching! Orders will be taken by the Workcamp crew on January 11th, 18th, and 25th for this popular SUPERBOWL event. A concurrent BAKE SALE will be held during sub pickup on Sunday, February 1, 2009. Contact Jenni Ticer at 330-995-9318 for more information.

Are you an experienced baker who bakes cakes? The Bicentennial committee is looking for someone to make the Bicentennial cake for about 200 people to be served at the Bicentennial dinner in November 2009. Call Barb Kudley at (330)562-9430 if you can help. Thank You!

CIRCLE 3H – Filled with the Christmas spirit, 3 H Circle members completed a two-month long project of filling 150 bags to be donated to five different places: Cleveland VOA Homeless Veterans' Shelter, Freedom House Homeless Veterans' Shelter, the Kevin Coleman Foundation, Family and Community Services and Center of Hope, all in Portage County. In November the group filled mugs with Christmas candy and decorated bags with Christmas cards and messages of cheer. Chairman Bonnie Charvat and Joy Evans spent endless hours obtaining warm socks, hats, and gloves and wrapping supplies. Then in December, organizing them on tables for efficient assembly, the ladies wrapped all the gifts individually and then put them in the decorated bags along with the mugs of candy - a two-hour undertaking. Elaine Duncan helped with delivery of the bags. Resting up a bit from a busy fall, 3H Circle will not meet in January.

MOM’S MORNING DAY OF RENEWEL – a group for new moms

Mom’s morning day of renewal is a support group, a prayer group and a place to explore your faith. It is a way to meet other moms to share, encourage and to help you feel good about who you are by bringing inspiration to your new role as a parent. We will explore topics significant to being a new mom such as

Stress, worries and anxiety (Support systems)

Everyday Spirituality (Meeting the spiritual needs of you and your family)

Remembering Yourself (Personal goal setting)

This group is open to moms of infants through preschoolers and will meet on the third Tuesday of each month beginning in January of 2009.

Please register in advance for child care. Contact Cindi Gonzalez with any questions at 330-562-8266 Ext. 229 or cgonzalez@thechurchinaurora.org.

Parenting: The Early Years – Bible Study in six sessions - 10 Biblical traits your kids will remember you for with teaching from Drs. Les & Leslie Parrot

· The three step approach to avoid becoming the parent you don’t want to be

· How to make your child’s perception of you as positive as possible

· The best way to give children the praise they crave

· How to hear what your child isn’t saying to you but wants to

· The immeasurable value of commemorating milestones

· The key to building a lifelong bond of deep connection

Beginning in January 2009. Contact Toni Harris (330-562-8266 ext. 228) for more information.

Recycle Your Wrapping Paper! As you open all your gifts this holiday season, remember that all that gift wrap is paper, too. Stuff it into big bags and empty them into the paper recycling bins in the back corner of the parking lot. When you are finished reading your Christmas cards, don’t forget that those are recyclable too. Help us defray the high cost of heating this winter by recycling all your paper products. And don’t forget your junk mail, catalogs and newspapers are all welcome in the paper recycling bins.

3H PM. Please join us Thursday, January 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Stephen Ministry Room as we share chapter 9 from Beth Moore's book PRAYING GOD'S WORD with our work on prayer shawls and baby blankets. ~ Kathleen Horak, 330-562-1930

Disciple Bible Study—What is The Disciple Bible Study? The Disciple Bible Study is a program that gives each member the opportunity to read and study the Bible in a small, committed group. It is a 34 week course split into two 17 week sessions. The first session will cover the Old Testament and the second will cover the New Testament. At the end of the 34 weeks, a graduation service is offered and the participants receive a certificate of completion. Each session will meet once a week on Sunday evenings for 2 1/2 hours. The program will be led by a trained facilitator and each participant will work with the Bible and study manual which they would purchase. The price of the workbook is $33. The format of each session would open with a prayer, include a 20 minute video pertaining to the session, group discussion and reflection time with emphasis on prayer. This program requires each participant to commit to both 17 week sessions as well as up to 30 minutes of daily readings and reflection.

We would like to start the first session of the Old Testament on January 11, 2009. We would take a break over Easter Sunday and end on May 9, 2009. The second session would start in September, take a two week break over Christmas and end with a 2 day retreat in January. Again, this is a committed bible study and each participant would have to commit to this time frame.

Contact Toni Harris for more information.

WANTED — USED INK CARTRIDGES AND CELL PHONES! Did you upgrade your cell phone this holiday season? Don't throw away your old one! Please save it for the Workcamp Fund. A drop-off basket is on the desk in the Great Hall. Used printer ink cartridges are also needed. Contact Kim Williamson at 330-554-3916 for information. HELP SAVE OUR LANDFILLS while providing financial support for Workcamp!

The CARE TEAM is available for those who need meals during a time of recovery or a ride to an appointment or someone to pick up prescriptions or just a friendly visit. If they could help you, call Pat Way at 330-673-7917 or Rita Suchanek at 330-562-3273 or 216-570-9808.

Lay Volunteer Ministry – South Pointe Hospital in Warrensville Heights offers non-denominational spiritual support to hospital patients and their families. Training is provided by the Pastoral Care Department. Four-hour commitment once a week is requested. Please leave name and mailing address to receive an information packet and application (216/491-7924).

TODDY'S CHRISTMAS SHOPPE was a wonderful success, thanks to your donations and contributions! Over $700 was raised! What a wonderful way to reuse/recycle holiday items! Workcamps in PA AND MI will be attended by our W.C. crews this year. Each dollar earned by our fund raisers is very important and much appreciated! As you put away your Christmas decorations, if you have items to donate for next year's shoppe, please put them in a box marked TODDY'S CHRISTMAS SHOPPE, and they'll be ready to donate and easy to find next December! Contact Flip Eavenson at 330-995-6268 for further information.

Mission of the Month – This month the Missions Committee is focusing on Berea College and Mobile Meals.

In 1855, Berea’s founders established a college where all students could learn and work together regardless of race, gender, place of birth or economic circumstances. Berea’s College motto, “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth,” is taken from the Book of Acts. Berea College continues to foster a culture of equality, inclusive Christian values, and lifelong devotion to learning and service.

Mobile Meals, which relies heavily on volunteer support, has been dedicated to providing quality meals and nutritional services to vulnerable and chronically ill individuals of all ages. This organization serves over 500,000 meals a year in Summit and Portage counties. Members of our congregation participate as volunteers for the food delivery program.

Behind the Scenes – Donna and Garland Ridgley have only been members of the church for three years, but they’ve been very visible during that time. Garland stepped right into an adult Sunday School class taught by the Weavers, and he currently attends the Wednesday night Men’s Bible Study. They became members of the Receptions Committee and quickly took charge of the receptions that happen after funerals and memorial services, which keeps them mighty busy! Recently they have been working for the Bicentennial Committee, sifting through boxes of archived materials looking for information pertinent to our upcoming bicentennial celebration. Donna and Garland also attend the monthly Potlucks regularly. Donna graciously allowed the Nutcracker Committee to borrow several of her large Nutcrackers (which were used around the volunteer sign up table to draw attention and bring those volunteers in), as well as a large cross stitch of a Nutcracker. She even shared the cross stitch pattern with them. Thank you, Donna and Garland, for all that you have done to make The Church in Aurora…