Volume XLXI July 2007 Number 7

Another reason I rarely preach on social issues is because the hot button issues of the day for most church folk almost never interest me, except to wonder why a particular issue comes to the fore at a particular moment in history.  I tend to be more interested in what I call "meta-issues"—overriding issues that affect lots of other issues.  By way of illustration on the scale of a single individual, an alcoholic may have marital problems, employment problems, legal problems and a host of other problems.  But they all stem from the meta-issue of an alcohol problem.  Deal with the meta-issue and the associated problems get resolved in the process.  On the larger social scene I consider human population growth to be a meta-issue that directly impacts other issues such as international strife over increasingly scarce resources (read: food, energy, water), environmental degradation, a growing refuge problem and even the illegal immigrant issue currently being debated in Congress.  Indeed, a case could be made for humanity proving, in the end, to have been a cancer on the face of the earth (note my flair for the dramatic as a social commentator).  That is the kind of issue that interests me, but I am at a loss for finding much attention being given to it by the media.  I guess I am out of touch.

Sometimes I wonder where I would have fallen on the great social issues of other times.  Would I have taken a hands-off approach to the civil rights issue, or the slavery issue before it?  In all honesty, I think the answer depends upon where my pulpit would have been found.  Had it been in the deep south, I think the evidence is overwhelming that I would have either been firmly on one particular side of the issue or not considered suitable for the pulpit at all.  Maybe one reason I am not a big social gospel kind of guy is because I am a "fraidy cat."  Or maybe it is because it is not the portrait of Jesus that I see painted in the Gospels.  Indeed, Jesus often had to resist being triangulated by the revolutionary zealots of his day who sought to pressure him to take up their cause against the Roman occupiers of their land.  On the other hand Jesus certainly took up the cause of the poor and needy, and the responsibility of those with means to care for them.

So maybe politics in the pulpit and preaching about social issues is a balancing act that requires every preacher to struggle against inherent abuses at both extremes of the continuum.  As one who has been actively involved in one fellowship of churches that is largely conservative in its political leanings (National Association of Congregational Christian Churches) and one that is largely liberal (International Council of Community Churches) I have seen my share of roping God in to support "the cause."  It doesn’t smell any better to me than it did to my Dad.  I suppose I will continue to err on the side of caution in terms of listening more and speaking less on divisive issues.

Thanks for allowing me to use this column to ruminate on the question.  Nobody has asked me about it, at least not lately.  I suppose I just needed to clarify some things in my mind before attending the Community Church Annual Conference in Nashville later this month where a trend toward issuing social/political resolutions is emerging.  About that I may actually have something unpopular to say to the gathered delegates.  Imagine me, a rabble-rouser. – Bill.

July 1 – Rev. Schnell: Communion, Single Service Format Begins

July 8 – Rev. Schnell

July 15 – Rev. Horak

July 22 – Rev. Schnell

July 29 – Rev Schnell

May 27 (Memorial Day) – 9:30 – 132, 11:00 – 107, Total – 239

June 3(Confirmation/Sr Recognition) – 9:30 – 184; 11:00 – 188; Total – 372

June 10 – 9:30 - 148; 11:00 - 126; Total – 274

June 17 (Father’s Day – 9:30 - 108; 11:00 - 93; Total – 201

First Time Visitors – (5-27) Joshua Jasany of Aurora (6-10) Tim, Amy & Eva Logan of Aurora,

Deborah Hall of Aurora, Naomi & Marie Engle of Streetsboro

Births – Ian Carter Hilliard, son of Brad & Alyssa Hilliard

Baptisms – Memphis Scott English; Jeffrey Scott Grubbs, son of Don & Lynn Grubbs; Joseph Marshall Brown, son of Allen & Natalie Brown; Anthony Thomas Carlozzi; Michael Edward Carlozzi

Weddings – Alissa H. McFerren & William J. Arnold; Leah M. Meyers & David A. Fellenstein; Marlene Kincade & Jerry Michalski; Maria Segedy & Raymond Stoffl

Memorials – Peggy Weaver, mother of Jay Weaver; Helen Johnston, grandmother of Mary Lynn Griff

Darbey Griff’s Junior Olympic Volleyball Team won their division in the regional tournament.

Christene Buonpane, Jessie Masch, Marissa McClung, Alexandra Meister, Martin Ober and Caitlin Patrick were all inducted into the National Honor Society.

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

Greg Hogan Sr. testified before the House Financial Services Committee in Washington D.C.

Rachel Coburn, Alexandra Hauenstein, Jennifer Messner, Emily Wallace and John Weber all graduated from Aurora high school with honors.

Anthony Smith and Pat Toothaker were named to the Dean’s List at Kent State University.

Rob Albrecht is appearing in "The Full Monty" at the Weathervane Community Playhouse.

SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS JULY 1—We will begin our summer schedule with only one worship service at 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 1.  Nursery and toddler care will be provided, as well as the Promiseland Drive-In for the older children.  Please be sure to mark your calendars.

Bill & Kevin’s Excellent Adventure – Our 12^th consecutive adventure will find us returning to Canal Park to watch the Akron Aeros take on the Bowie Baysox on Thursday, August 30. Twenty-five tickets are being pre-purchased for $6 each (a $4 savings). To sit with our group and receive the discounted price, you must get your payment to Patti in the Church Office (first come, first served). After the first twenty-five tickets are sold we will try to accommodate extras, but no guarantees. The group will meet at the church at 6:00pm to caravan down to Akron in time for the first pitch to be thrown out at 7:05pm.

Jack Wilson is a retired hospital administrator for Sunny Acres. He and his wife, JoAnn, are part of the vast reverse migration taking place from Florida, which is our good fortune. They return to the Buckeye State to be close to the families of their four grown sons, which include six grandchildren all within 45 minutes of Aurora. The Wilsons share interests in spectator sports, especially those connected with Ohio State University. They are also loyal Indians fans, having attended spring training for many years. Jack & JoAnn come to us from the First United Methodist Church of Cuyahoga Falls.

Andrea Leek is a fulltime homemaker from Twinsburg. She is married to Brian, and they have two children: Jordan (almost 10) and Amber (6). The household is rounded out with a dog and three cats. Andrea has a heart for animals as evidenced by her interests: she volunteers at the Humane Society and rides horses western style. She is also careful to release the fish she catches in her pond.

Mary Ellen Liang is a Process Consultant for Progressive Insurance. Her pastimes include reading, family genealogy and exercise. She is married to Ken, who is an IT Manager for Eaton Corporation. Ken enjoys golf, music and any spectator sport that has the word "Cleveland" in it. The Liang’s have a son, Joseph (4 ½), and a daughter, Kate (almost 2). Also gracing the home is a dog and a couple of fish. The Liang’s just returned from a trip to San Diego where they visited Disneyland and Sea World, the latter attraction being one big reason for moving to Aurora in the first place.

Listen! That’s what Stephen Ministers do. They have gone through 50 hours of training in providing Christian care so that they can focus on your needs and listen to what you really have to say. For more information, contact Russ Post (330/479-0063) or Sue Kray 330/562-1344).

Thank You! The 7^th & 8^th Grade Girls class would like to thank everyone for their donations of stuffed animals for Providence House. They collected 90 stuffed animals.

"Who’s Your Neighbor?" A brand new program has been planned for Jr. High and High School Youth this summer. We will be visiting seven culturally diverse congregations of faith beginning in June. Some we will visit in the morning, some in the evening, most on Sundays. We will be stopping after each service at a culturally similar food venue to share a meal. Let’s stretch ourselves to understand the beliefs and worship styles of all of God’s children. By the end of the summer, we should be much more aware and appreciative of the diversity of God’s people. Please visit the church web-site and The Youth Newsletter for a full listing of this program.

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.

Church Camp – Camp will be held at Tar Hollow from Sunday, August 5, through Saturday, August 11.  The cost is $195 afterward. A sibling discount will save each youth from the same family an additional $15.  Applications for campers and staff are available online at www.sfacamp.org.  Campers cannot drive themselves to camp, but parents may coordinate with each other to transport campers to and from camp.

Prayer Chain – Have you ever wondered where those small white Prayer Cards go?  Have you ever needed a helping hand?  Fortunately, The Church in Aurora has some very special members who take time to pray over your concerns regularly.  We have all seen the value of their efforts and can thank Johnnie Moulton, our Prayer Ministry Chairman, for her years of faithful dedication.  What a blessing!  Weekly, a Prayer Chain "letter" is forwarded by post or e-mail to all those willing participants who give their time to pray for others.  At this time, and in order to continue, we are in need of additional members to share in this task by providing the weekly Prayer Chain letter.  This is a caring congregation and a very worthwhile endeavor.  For more information, contact Diane Brubaker.

New Alateen Meeting – Alateen is part of Al-Anon, which helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend.  Alateen is the recovery program for young people.  Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members.  A new group has formed in our area.  They are meeting at The Federated Church on Bell Street in Chagrin Falls on Wednesdays from 8-9 p.m.  Young people ages 8-19 are welcome to attend.  If you have any questions, contact The Federated Church or e-mail frenchstandard@yahoo.com.

Relay for Life – Our Team did an outstanding job this year with enthusiasm, hope and financial support for our fight against cancer.  We raised over $12,000 and won the American Cancer Society's 2007 Platinum Award.  Thank you to all of our members who helped in so many ways.  Our hope is that cancer will be in our past soon but for now we pray for comfort to those who have suffered from this disease in any way.  Thank you to 'our own' Laura Holman who organized a wonderful Aurora Event for everyone!  Betsy Tomasko and Barb Tatum

CHURCH LIBRARY  I was beginning to think that Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins' series was going to last 'till Kingdom Come, and it did.  I was "Left Behind" around book eleven, but they say that this one, #14, is the finish.  However; there were also three prequels, so there are really 17 in this series.

If you had been blind since the age of 3, you would probably jump at the chance to get back your sight, as Mike May did.  Turned out to be less than a blessing, because he couldn't function nearly as well as when he was blind.  Everything was overwhelming to him after his sight was restored.  Robert Kurson has written a fascinating account of all the problems Mike's decision caused him in the book, Crashing Through.

Don't miss the meeting where The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Rolling.  This is the 6th book about this faithful and very diverse group of prayer warriors, and how they help each other come through their trying times and disappointments.  In the back of each book, the author Neta Jackson includes helpful advice on starting a prayer group, and also questions for book club discussions.  You'll need to read book #1 first, but then in any order will do.

Kids, the movies that you see at "Promiseland Drive-in" may be checked out of the church library for you to take home to enjoy again.

Portage Habitat for Humanity News – The next Partner Family Orientation will be on Sunday, June 24, at the Habitat Office (6630 Cleveland Rd. in Ravenna Township).  Families looking for decent and affordable housing should attend this gathering that will run from 1:00 – 3:00pm.  To complete the application at this event, please bring proof of employment, latest income tax return, name of landlord and list of outstanding debts.  All information will be kept in confidence.  This is the first step in qualifying for a Habitat house.  For more information, call 330/296-2880.

WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE coming to Cleveland June 22-23.  This year’s theme, Amazing Freedom, is based on John 8:36: "So if the Son makes you free you will be truly free."  The purpose of the conference is to encourage, entertain, inspire and refresh women in their relationship with the Lord and with each other.  For more information visit www.womenoffaith.com.

Mobile Meals Needs Drivers – The Mobile Meals program is in need of drivers to deliver meals to the elder and shut-in.  This would be for the Aurora route only and requires only an hour or two.  They have a real need on Fridays.  If you could help, please contact Mobile Meals at 330-376-7717 or 1-800-852-6325.

Host Family Needed – Rohit Waikar from Nagpur Maharashtra, India, will be attending Aurora High School during the 2007-2008 school year, as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. He will arrive in August and will stay until the following summer. Rohit is interested in hiking, mountain climbing and soccer. Rotary is seeking 2 – 3 host families for Rohit. He would stay with each family for 3-5 months.

Requirements for Host Families:

Talk it over in your family. Hosting an exchange student often results in unexpected rewards, growth in maturity and experiences which can last a lifetime.

For more information please call Barb Trudick @ 330-995-9915 or Bill Pogue @ 330-995-5275 (Rotary Club Youth Exchange Coordinators).

Mission of the Month – This month the Missions Committee is focusing on Freedom House. Freedom House provides emergency housing for homeless veterans in the Portage County area as a program of Family & Community Services, Inc. Their goal is to make sure Portage County area veterans never have to spend a night on the street. Services such as job training and referrals, as well as mental health and substance abuse treatments are offered.  Freedom House’s goal is to help Veterans get back on the road to self-reliance.

Behind the Scenes – Next week is going to be a busy and exciting time at The Church in Aurora. It’s Vacation Bible School! It’s fun to hear the pitter-patter of "little" feet as the kids move from recreation to crafts, to see how excited they get about the things they are learning and making – and most of all to hear them singing their new songs. But none of these things could happen without a lot of work by a lot of people before and during the VBS week. We have been very blessed to have Kay Oxford direct VBS for the past two years. She (along with her army of volunteers) has done an excellent job. The staff measures enthusiasm by the amount of "joyful noises" we hear from the children, and last year was very joyful! (It seems very quiet and empty the week after VBS.) Kay is a terrific organizer and is very enthusiastic and creative when working with our children. Besides VBS, she has offered her talents several times over the past three years to lead rotations in the Promiseland church school program. Kay has also been a member of the Fellowship Committee since 2004, serving as Co-Chair in 2005 and Chairman this year. Thank you, Kay, for helping our children to develop a loving and lasting relationship with Christ.