The bright spot in the whole episode was a Latina woman who worked with us for well over an hour trying to make things right.  Most of the time I could barely understand a word she said, but in the end she procured vouchers for a shuttle, hotel, meals and $300 for each of us to take a future flight.  While using one food voucher we were surprised to find her looking for us in the restaurant because we had left behind some needful information.  At the end of the day all was well with my family as we enjoyed our unexpected overnight in a fine Ft. Lauderdale hotel.  The next morning, after our complementary breakfast, we boarded a direct flight for home.

Once home a new frustration awaited us in the form of a very whacked out computer.  Apparently my son’s downloading habits and erratic pushing of buttons had rendered our system hopelessly slow and functionally useless.  After calling a computer support number I reached a woman in India whose command of English was barely a step up from the folks at Miami International.  I kept asking her to repeat herself so I could try to make sense of what she was instructing me to do.  But patience was certainly one of her virtues and she stayed on the phone with me for well over an hour helping me to successfully restore my computer to its original condition.

One of the news events that happened while we were on our trip involved a couple of physicians in England who orchestrated a failed terrorist plot.  That was the story that made the front pages of the newspapers that now cluttered our kitchen table.  Those are the kinds of stories that typically make the front pages, not the everyday acts of kindness shown by common ordinary folks like the Indian woman and the Latina woman who helped me.  That is a shame because it skewers our impression of people from other cultures.  We suspect them of evil motives and hidden agendas.  We lump them into categories like "illegals," or "terrorists."  It is true that in any collective of people there are bound to be a few whackos.  But whenever we encounter a person from a different culture the overwhelming odds are that we are encountering a decent human being just like the other decent human beings we know and love.

So, as the editor of this publication, I am going to depart from custom and report on two ladies who do not speak English very well, but who are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to help a frustrated person in need like me who doesn’t speak their languages very well either.  As the world grows smaller and continues to change, may our actions communicate volumes that words cannot convey.

Respecting the Past, Envisioning the Future. –Bill

August 5 – Rev. Schnell: Communion

August 12 – Laity Sunday

August 19 – Rev. Schnell

August 26 – Rev. Horak

June 24 – 9:30 – 115, 11:00 – 124, Total – 239

July 1 – Total – 181

July 8 – Total – 192

July 15 – Total – 200

July 22 – Total – 163

Births – Nathan Robert Laslo, son of Robert & Ann Laslo

Baptisms – Nathan Robert Romanov; David Alexander Murphy, son of Joe & Diana Murphy; Reagan Josephine and Lyla Griffin Stock, daughters of Bryn & Henk Stock, granddaughters of Bob & Ruth Tuttle;

Jacob Robert Sethares, son of Dorothy Jane (Glass) & Robert Sethares;

Weddings – Angela Marie Perigo & Francis Charles McCune, III; Joelene Cox & Michael Szpendyk;

Kristine Mary Karnosh & Todd Bryan Haydocy;

Memorials – John Charvat; Caryn Curry, sister of Connie Bost;

Hannah Piazza and Julie Zidones play on a softball team that swept through the Lade Bear Classic Tournament undefeated.

Stephen Wong earned the Principal’s Award at Harmon.

Thirty-two of our youth were on the Honor Roll at Harmon.

Hannah Gang won an art contest sponsored by the AHS Diversity Club.

Andy Weber’s baseball team won the Copley Suburban Showdown Tournament in mid-June.

Doug Hauenstein currently is fourth in the Northern Ohio Golf Association’s player of the year competition.

Mike French’s frog, Hermit, won the July 4 frog jumping contest.

Matt French’s frog, Winner, placed third in the July 4 frog jumping contest.

Bill & Kevin’s Excellent Adventure – Come watch the Akron Aeros take on the Bowie Baysox on Thursday, August 20.  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).  The group will meet at the church at 6:00 PM to caravan down to Akron in time for the first pitch to be thrown out at 7:05 PM.

All Alone? – Don’t be.  God doesn’t want us to be all alone.  He wants us to turn to others when things are bothering us.  Stephen Ministers will walk with you through your troubles and be there for you when you need them.  For more information contact Russ Post (440/479-0063) or Sue Kray (330/562-1344).

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.

Margie Koppes has not been affected by the wildfires in Nevada.  Thanks to all of you concerned for her welfare who called to check on her.  We got an e-mail at the church office that she is fine.  The fires were at the south end of the lake and she is located at the far north edge of Lake Tahoe.

Vacation Bible School – During VBS week, 68 children (led by 12 Youth and 18 adults) "gathered" by the Sea of Galilee to "Catch Jesus in Action."   Many, many thanks to all who helped make this week so meaningful to so many people.   A special thanks goes out to the Messner and Braun families who loaned us their hand-crafted boats for back-drops. 

Seasonal Silk Flowers to Adorn the Altar  –  A special "Thank You" to Bonnie Reed of Chagrin Falls, for her talented creation of, and generous donation of seasonal silk flower arrangements.  When no fresh floral arrangement has been provided, Deacons will be utilizing these special silk arrangements donated by Bonnie.  Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing your talent with the entire church.

Church Camp – Camp will be held at Tar Hollow from Sunday, August 5, through Saturday, August 11.  The cost is $195 (A sibling discount will save $15 per youth).  Applications for campers and staff are available online at www.sfacamp.org.

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.

THANK YOU – The family of John Charvat would like to thank our church family for surrounding us with your sympathy, love and help after John passed away on July 4^th.  To The Care Team, Circle 3-H, Circle D and all of you who embraced us with your love in so many ways at the time of our deepest sorrow.

You worked so hard and we have been so comforted by all the ways you have shown your love and care for us and John.

Our ministers, Bill and Kevin, were by our side from the start with their love and counsel and the services they gave, both at the funeral and at the graveside were personal and knowing.  It meant a lot to all of us that they knew John well.

Our extended family and dear friends were amazed by our church family’s coming together to support us.  We want you to know how much you are appreciated by all of us.  Again, thank you.  

With love, Bonnie, Carson, Doug, Crystal, Tim, Emma, Becky, Barbara and Peg

ENDOWMENT FUND – SEMI ANNUAL REPORT 2007 – The purpose of The Church in Aurora Endowment Fund is:

From it’s inception in November 1999 through June 30 2007, The Endowment Fund has provided over $ 80,000.00 to assist with non-routine projects and programs at the Church in Aurora.  As of June 30^th of this year there have been no distributions made, but $ 1,000 was provided to Christian Education in July for the "Final Touches" to update The Escape.  We expect that a substantial distribution will be necessary to complete the exterior painting project either in 2007 or 2008.  All of these funds came from the investment earnings of Endowment Fund Principal.

This financial support for the church is made possible because numerous members of our church have made contributions to the Endowment Fund over the years.  These contributions, both large and small, are helping to insure the future financial health of our church.  The Endowment Committee hopes that more members will prayerfully consider making a contribution to the Endowment Fund.  No contribution is too small – there is no minimum contribution amount.  This is a wonderful way to recognize an anniversary, a loved one or a friend in perpetuity.  If you wish to make a contribution, the check should be made payable to "The Church in Aurora Endowment Fund" or see one of the committee members listed.  The "Spire Society" is another way to provide future pledged assistance to the Church by way of a bequest from your will or Estate – again see one of the committee members to discuss this possibility.

Following is the Endowment Fund financial Statement for the years 2003 through June 30, 2007. If you receive this by email, the statement will be a separate attachment.

If you have any questions or considerations, please contact any member of the committee.

Respectfully submitted:  Chuck Leamy, Betsy Tomasko, Rodger Shaulis, George Roemich, Muriel French and Dick Rowley

Board Meeting – The Church in Aurora Board met on Monday, July 9^th. Peter French, Moderator noted that through June average Sunday worship service attendance was 295 vs 312 for the same period last year.  He also made a motion, approved by the Board, to have Ed Nemeth fill the unexpired Stewardship term of Doug Kirsop ’08.

Scott Holman, Trustees, reported that the Church foundation waterproofing project will begin in August and will cost an estimated $10,000.  Funding will come from direct contributions $5,300 (Women’s Guild $5,100 and Women’s Circle A $200) and the balance from the Church’s maintenance reserve which is currently $25,352.  With regard to painting, the Trustees have decided to delay the complete stripping and repainting of the Church until next year, and are finalizing costs to, in the short term, prime and paint the problem areas.  Scott and Toni Harris, Director of C.E. and Youth reported that thanks to some recent direct contributions and a $1,000 gift from Endowment, the money necessary to complete the Escape renovation has been received.  Many youth and adult volunteers put in a lot of time to prepare the Escape for final painting and carpeting and the renovation should be complete in time for our Rally Day open house.  The Board approved Scott’s motion to put a green paper recycling bin in the Church’s parking lot.  If the concept is successful, it will generate a small amount of income for general Church use.  Scott noted that the Trustees have been trying to improve the look of the Church’s brown front lawn, but a couple of broken sprinkler heads plus the extremely dry weather has made the task very difficult.  They will keep trying. 

The Treasurer’s report showed Faith Promise income below plan by about 14% through the first half of this year.  Expenses are down as well, but only by 7%, so the Board may have to make some budget adjustments as we enter the fall program year.  Ed Williams, reporting for Stewardship, asked that all committees have their proposed 2008 budgets submitted by the August Board meeting.

Jan Morgan, Elders, recommended that the Board approve the hiring of James and Charity Omartian as co-directors of the Basic Choir, and Mary Lynn Griff as interim director of the Choralier Choir (replacing Cheryl Miller who will be on leave for hip surgery).  The Board approved the Elder’s recommendations.

Jimmy Eavenson reported that this year’s work camp may have been the best ever, and that a location in North Carolina has been selected for next year.

Heidi Rudolph, Membership, advised the Board that she and Kevin Horak had met with a sales representative regarding a Church pictorial directory. The current plan is to collect information and begin to get organized so that we can have a pictorial directory which commemorates our bicentennial celebration in 2009.

Toni Harris, Dir. CE/Youth reported that VBS was a huge success and that the summer youth program "Who’s Your Neighbor?" (worshipping with other denominations) is in full swing.  She also noted that plans are well underway for the fall C.E. rotational lessons.

If you have any questions regarding the Board meeting please contact Peter French, Moderator, 330-562-3352, pefrenchsr@aol.com.