General Information- The Spire - April

A Message from the Minister – Charity Jean is our new Seminary Intern whose work with children and youth is being supervised by Toni Harris, Christian Education and Youth Director.  Following her year-long internship here Charity will have completed a prerequisite for enrollment at the North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago in their Master of Divinity program.  In the meanwhile, The Church in Aurora will benefit from the gifts she brings to ministry with children and youth.

     Charity was born in Hollis New Hampshire, joining an older brother, Nathan, who is currently enrolled as a medical student.  Her mother, Kathy, is a reading specialist, and her father, Ron, is the owner of a construction company.  While attending the Congregational Church of Hollis Charity began teaching Sunday school while in 8^th grade, serving as a model for a new Christian Education program that draws upon the teaching potential of youth.  As a High School student Charity sang, danced and acted in many musicals and plays, and was also called upon to direct several theatrical productions.

     Following graduation from High School Charity was accepted at Hiram College where she majored in Music Performance and learned to sing classical music and opera not only in English, but in French, Latin, Italian, German and Spanish.  Those contemplating voice lessons should know that Charity is both willing and qualified to offer them to a limited number of students.  Along the way to her graduation from Hiram, Charity studied abroad in Spain for 3 months, returning to add a Spanish minor to her academic credentials.

   In May of this year Charity will change her last name to Omartian as she and her fiancé, Jim, are united in marriage.  As a “fun fact” she informs us that only Armenians have last names ending in “…ian.”  What will not change is her first name, Charity, which is an apt description for this wonderful young lady who will be donating many hours in ministry to the children and youth of our family of faith.

     Respecting the Past, Envisioning the Future.  -Bill

In the Pulpit During April –

April 1 – Palm Sunday Cantata, Communion

April 5 – Maundy Thursday Service 7:30, Rev. Schnell

April 8 – Rev. Schnell, Easter Worship: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00am

April 15 – Rev. Horak

April 22 – Rev. Schnell

April 29 – Rev. Schnell

Worship Attendance

February 21 (Ash Wednesday) – 61

February 25 – 9:30 – 85, 11:00 – 123, Total – 208

March 4 – 9:30 – 147; 11:00 – 117; Total – 264

March 11 – 9:30 - 142; 11:00 - 134; Total – 276

March 18 – 9:30 - 142; 11:00 -190 ; Total – 332

News of Members and Friends

Memorials – Jean Heinzel, sister of Carol Mohney;

Robert Tunen, former member;

Martha (Sis) Graf, former member

NEWS OF OUR MEMBERS…Did You Know?  For more details, see the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.

   Katelyn Yonkers and Stephen Wong were honored as Rotary Club  Students of the Month in February.

   Page Kalp, son of Carol & David Kalp, is at Fort Sill, OK, for his basic training.  He will be joining the Army Artillery just as his father did 40 years ago.

   Deanna Calder sang the national anthem at a high school basketball game recently.

   Mary Jo Guthrie has been named to the Dean’s List at Ohio Northern University.

   John Weber was selected to participate in the Chagrin Valley Conference Honors Band.

Church office closed on Good Friday in observance of the Easter Holiday.

VOA Food Pantry is in short supply of many food items…….because of increased family food needs and a serious decline in organizational food donations, the Pantry has an almost unprecedented shortage of food stocks.  We hope our congregation continues its generous support in the months ahead.  While many categories need replenishing, the following are the most critical needs today:  cereal, Hamburger Helper, spaghetti sauce, dry spaghetti, coffee, pancake mix, syrup, boxed potatoes.  Thank you for all your help!

Anniversary Celebration – The 20^th anniversary of Stephen Ministry at The Church in Aurora will be celebrated as part of morning worship on Sunday, April 15, 2007, at both the 9:30 and 11:00 services.  In addition to recognizing current and former Stephen Ministers, we will be commissioning Susan Kray and Russell Post as our newest Stephen Leaders.  Join us as we celebrate God’s blessings through this special caring ministry.

Spring Rummage Sale:  As you begin your spring cleaning, please consider donating those items that you no longer need.  The Rummage Sale is April 25th and 26th.  Donations will be accepted on the Fellowship Hall stage beginning April 19th.

Bake Sale this Sunday, March 25 – The 4^th Annual 5^th & 6^th Grade Bake Sale and Raffle will take place this Sunday, March 25, after each service.  Proceeds are going to Heifer International, an organization that helps people to help themselves.  This year’s goal is to raise enough to fund a gift of a pig and a llama.

Free to a Good Home:  Black Metal Wheelchair Ramp from American Ramp Systems.  Excellent condition.  Full ramp includes (5)- 32½  x 98½  pieces, (1)- 32½  x 70½  piece and (1)-49½ x 50 wheelchair turn-around.  Hand rails and adjustable stands are also included. Grating allows rain and snow to fall through to reduce the chance of slipping.  A metal sidewalk ramp with hand rails and 2 metal doorway thresholds are also available.  Does not require footings, excavation or permit to install.  Free to an individual, church, organization or business in need.  Please call Karen Pope at 330.562.3192, for more information.

Chancel Choir Cantata  “The Journey”  Palm Sunday, April 1 – On Palm Sunday, the Chancel Choir invites you to accompany them on an incredible journey – a journey filled with many sights and sounds – a journey of breath-taking emotions.  This walk – from the streets of Jerusalem, to the garden of betrayal, on to the site of ultimate sacrifice and finally to the triumph that is Easter – has been a life altering experience for many.  It is a path that leads to faith, hope and everlasting joy.  Please join the Chancel Choir as we travel on “The Journey”.

3-H Circle – HANSON HALL will be the meeting place for 3-H members on Friday, April 6.  At the meeting, the “3-H Blanket Bee” for Robinson Memorial Hospital will be back by popular demand.  We will be making baby blankets using the “knot method”.  So – no sewing skills are necessary.  Just bring good sharp shears.  Enjoy the friendships and knowing you are bringing joy to others.  Meet your new officers for next year.  See you there at 9:30 a.m. in Hanson Hall.  For more information call Lillian Papp at 330-562-7104.

TWO FOR ONE - Join us on Tuesday, April 3^rd, for POTLUCK and DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING.  If you plan to attend the Pot Luck, please bring a dish to share and join us at 6:30.  The defibrillator training begins immediately after the dinner, approximately 7:30. If you can't make the dinner, please come for the defibrillator training.

3H PM.  Please join us on Thursday, April 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in the Stephen Ministry room as we work on our afghans and prayer shawls; we will also be sharing with each other Part 8:  The Answer, a journey with Jesus through the Gospel of Luke.  Questions? ~ Kathleen Horak, 330-562-1930.

REACHING OUT TO SERVICE MEN & WOMEN – Do you see or feel a need to remember those serving our nation in the armed forces, especially those from our congregation?  Do we need to be doing something beyond the holiday flurry of activities?  It may be as simple as sending a devotional booklet, card or brief note during the year, reminding them of our prayers and God’s love.  If you would like to help us reach out to this very special group of folks, let us hear from you.  Call Rev. Horak at 330.562.8266 ext.222 and let’s see what we can do together!

DON’T MISS THE GATHERING at 5:00 on April 14^th in Fellowship Hall!

INSERT ANNOUNCEMENTS DUE EARLY – All bulletin inserts for the Easter Sunday bulletins need to be in the office no later than Monday, April 2.  The Church Secretary will be having surgery that week and must complete the bulletins on Monday.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Book Study Selections – The Church in Aurora Book Group, which meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8:30 PM, will be reading The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene for its April meeting, and The Secret: Unlocking the Source of Joy and Fulfillment by Michael Berg for its May meeting.  For more information, contact Bonnie Niebuhr (330/995-5084).

Women’s Guild – At our April meeting, the Women’s Guild is very pleased to have Tom Yates from the Holden Arboretum as our guest speaker.  His topic will be the Wildflowers of Northeast Ohio.  Circle 3-H will prepare a delicious lunch and share devotions that day.  In April we will once again announce our nominated officers for 2007-2008 for approval.  Please join us on April 11^th at 11:30 AM in Fellowship Hall and bring a friend.

Experience the “Larger Church” – The Church in Aurora is a member church of the International Council of Community Churches – a Charter Member in fact.  Each summer Community Churches from across the land send delegates to an Annual Conference.  Our congregation hosted the conference in downtown Cleveland in 2003.  This year’s conference will be in Nashville, Tennessee July 29 - August 1.  As always, there will be workshops of many kinds (Toni Harris will be leading one on the Rotational Method of Christian Education), spirited worship services, tours, banquets, Bible studies, exhibits, business sessions and more.  But the very best part will be the fellowship connection with other Community Church members who return year after year.  For more information about the Conference, and how to register, contact Elaine Duncan (330/562-6062) or Bob Harris (330/562-6260).

You May Already be in the Spire Society !!!  On November 12th of last year, the Endowment Committee hosted the coffee hours after Sunday services.  The focal point of our modest display was a placard naming all of the current members of the “Spire Society”.   “What is the Spire Society and how could I already be in it, you ask “  ???

          The Spire Society was established by the Endowment Committee of the church in 2002.  The purpose of the Spire Society is to gather together and recognize individuals and couples who have provided a bequest in their will, estate or other testamentary documents which directs some portion of their estate to be given to the Endowment Fund for the ongoing preservation and the future contingency needs of The Church in Aurora.

          The interesting thing that came out of our conversations during the coffee hours was that one person had already made a provision for the church in her will and did not know about the existence of the Spire Society.  There is a feeling among the Endowment Committee members that there may be many other individuals in the church who have also made some provision for the church in their testamentary documents; and they don’t even know that they could, and should, be recognized for this generous act by way of membership in the Spire Society.  We ask you to come forth and let us know if this is the case.

   There are many ways to contribute to the ongoing needs of The Church in Aurora.  The Spire Society is one of them.  Please begin a conversation with yourself regarding a charitable gift that has perpetual benefits and then discuss your wishes with a member of the Endowment Committee for more details on how this might be accomplished.  We will be discussing other charitable giving options in this monthly spot throughout the coming year.  Thank you for you foresight.

   Sincerely,   The Endowment Committee of The Church in Aurora

Betsy Tomasko, Rodger Shaulis, Dick Rowley,  Muriel French, Chuck Leamy & George Roemich.

A Special Kind of Caring – Walk with patients and their families on the final journey at the end of life.  Volunteer with Hospice & Palliative Care Partners of Ohio, an agency of the Visiting Nurse Association.  A variety of rewarding opportunities are available.  Volunteer training sessions will be held at Shaker Heights Public Library, 16500 Van Aken Boulevard, Wednesday afternoons, March 21-May 9, 1:00-3:00 p.m.  Contact Linda Schuster at 216-902-5078 for information and registration.

LET’S BE FRANK – Enjoy an evening of fellowship and dancing with church members, friends and guests featuring Michael O’Brien as Frank Sinatra at Grantwood Golf Course on Saturday, April 21^st, at 7:00 PM.  The cost is $12 per person and advance paid reservations are preferred.  Light appetizers will be provided.  BYOB.  Gentlemen, jackets are suggested.  And for the ladies – casually elegant is the style of the evening.  The event is sponsored by Hollos (330-562-1810), Harrises (330-562-6260) and Morgans (330-562-2928).  Call them for information or to make a reservation.  Profits go to Relay for Life.

Care Team Parking Services – Don't allow inclement weather to keep you away from Sunday services! CARE TEAM PARKING is available to anyone who is in need! Call Flip Eavenson at 330-995-6268 the day before, and we'll have someone meet you at the door, park your car and return it to you after the service. We aim to please!

Mission of the Month – This month the Missions Committee is focusing on the Hartville Migrant Council and Mercy Ships.

          The Hartville Migrant Council is an interdenominational Christian organization founded in 1962 which provides Christian ministry to migrant farm worker families in the Hartville, Ohio area.  The Council fosters a sense of personal worth, belonging and responsibility in migrant families. Some of the Hartville Migrant Council’s services include: welcome boxes, a medical clinic, adult and children’s education programs and a children’s recreation program.

          Mercy Ships is a global charity that operates a fleet of hospital ships that provide medical care, relief aid and training for long-term sustainable change in developing nations. Mercy Ships models its operations after the example of Jesus Christ, by bringing healing and hope to the poor no matter what their race, gender or religion. The Missions Committee’s 2006 donation helped launch their newest ship, the Africa Mercy, to be deployed in war-devastated Liberia.

Behind the Scenes – You don’t have to have been a member of the church for a long time to have made lasting contributions.  Charlie Poe, for instance, has only been a member of The Church in Aurora for less than a year (he’s only 16 years old).  But his presence has been felt in many areas of the church.  He is currently the President of the High School Youth Group.  When he was younger, Charlie sang in the Youth Choirs, then moved up to the B.A.S.I.C. Choir when he got into high school.  He also played in the bell choir.  Charlie has also played his violin for us during worship service.  After Charlie got to be too old to attend VBS, he volunteered, a “big kid” who made quite an impression on the little kids.  He has served the church also as an Acolyte.  We have seen him as a participant in Christmas pageants and Youth Sunday, and even as a volunteer at Nutcracker Sweets.  Thank you, Charlie, for giving so much of your time and talents to The Church in Aurora.