Volume XLXI     September 2007     Number 9

A Message from the Minister – A "Question from the Pew" asks, "Which Protestant denomination does The Church in Aurora most resemble?" The answer, in a word, is Presbyterian. A close second would be Methodist. But, as usual, the issue is not so simple to resolve. Resemble in which way: socio-economic & demographic make-up, theological persuasion, church polity (style of governance), or some other way?

The Church in Aurora is a member church of the International Council of Community Churches--indeed a charter member. The Council is not a denomination, but a fellowship of autonomous local congregations. There is no higher church bureaucracy beyond the local congregation: no bishops, synods or external sources of authority such as would be found in the Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran or Episcopal denominations. The Council is simply a gathering place for freedom-loving churches to compare notes, join in mission and find a Christian connection through worship and study (most of which takes place at our Annual Conference).

But once we get beyond polity issues, walking into one of our worship services would be very similar to what one would find in most any mainline Protestant church. We may not use a denominational hymnal, but we sing hymns that can be found in most any of them. We do share such liturgical elements as a Call to Worship, Invocation, Gloria Patri, Doxology and Benediction. We do have readings from both Testaments of Scripture, offer a common version of the Lord’s Prayer and occasionally recite the Apostles’ Creed (among others). We do celebrate Holy Communion and Holy Baptism. Oh yes, we also receive an offering and hear a message from God’s Holy Word. All these worship components can be found in any typical Presbyterian or Methodist worship service.

Our congregation happens to be located in a relatively affluent corner of a poor county, which is why I give a slight edge to the Presbyterians over the Methodists since the latter is more heavily represented in the rural heartland. However, theologically we might be closer to the Methodists because of the quirky Presbyterian history with the topic of predestination. Since most mainline denominations run the theological gamut, from flaming liberal to ultra conservative, it is hard to place ourselves in a particular tradition. We tend to be fairly moderate, with segments of our congregation bleeding over into both ends of the continuum. Ideally, we are a tolerant lot which respects the individual’s right to follow the Word of God according to the dictates of conscience.

So that is the long and short answer to our "Question from the Pew." As is often the case, exploring the faith traditions of others helps us to better understand our own. Respecting the Past, Envisioning the Future. -Bill

September 2 – Rev. Schnell (10:00 at Sunny Lake)

September 9 – Rev. Schnell (Rally Day, 9:30 & 11:00)

September 16 – Rev. Schnell

September 23 – Rev. Horak

September 30 – Rev. Schnell

July 29 – Total – 181

August 5 – Total – 177

August 12 – Total – 167

First Time Visitors – (7-22) Tom Judy of Washington, DC; Maria Good of Hudson

(7-29) Don & Joyce Porter of Dayton

Baptisms – Brad Lee Hilliard; Ian Carter Hilliard, son of Brad & Alyssa Hilliard; Brynn Rainey Winkler, daughter of Kurt & Audrey Winkler

Weddings – Deanna Leigh Seiber & Eric Paul Anderson; Sara Beth Quinlan & Randy Michael Slama; Colleen Langley Donahue & Eric Raymond Reed

Memorials – Donna McVeigh, mother of Mike McVeigh; John Clough, Jr., father of Rick Clough; Edie Wenner; Elizabeth "Bette" Sucher (former member)

Andrew Hinton has qualified for the Kenny Novak Championship golf Tournament.

Carol Bowman was second in low gross in the Women’s Akron District Golf Assoc. Tournament.

Gabriella Yonkers won the 25 backstroke for her age group at the all-city swim meet.

Muriel French tied for 3^rd in low net in the Women’s Akron District Golf Association Tournament.

Sara Poe won the 50 butterfly for her age group at the all-city swim meet.

Abbey Stechler won the 25 freestyle for her age group at the all-city swim meet.

Rick Clough competed in his first triathlon in August.

Broc Miller won the 50 freestyle for his age group at the all-city swim meet.

Evan Buehler won the 50 butterfly for his age group at the all-city swim meet.

Stephen Wong won the 50 breaststroke for his age group at the all-city swim meet.

Time & Talent Survey – Your input is needed to better support program and committee needs, the nominating process, and projects. Simply put, The Church in Aurora needs many volunteers with a wide range of talents and skills.

On Rally Day, September 9, you will be asked to complete the survey form. When you complete it, you open the door to the rewarding use of your talents in God’s service.

If you will not be in worship that day, please fill out the survey and place it in the Stewardship mail box or mail it to The Church in Aurora c/o Stewardship Committee.

Please prayerfully consider volunteering. Complete the survey even if you did so last year or in years past. It only takes a minute or two of your time. Thank you!

RUMMAGE SALE - The Fall Rummage Sale will be September 26th and 27th.  Set-up will take place on September 24th and 25th.  You may start bringing donations on Monday, September 17th; please place them on the stage.  If you have any questions, call Joy Evans (562-5663) or Linda Shaw (995-5307).  Volunteers are always needed.

Feeling Down? – Our Stephen Ministry can help. Stephen Ministers aren’t just there for "big" crises. They’re also available for the little ones, because many times the little things can really add up. So don’t wait until you have a really big crisis; consider Stephen Ministry if the little things have you feeling down.

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.

Book Group Resumes – The Book Group will meet on Wednesday, September 5, from 7:00 – 8:30pm in Hanson Hall (just off the Choir Room). The first meeting will be spent selecting books to read each month through December. For more information, contact Bonnie Niebuhr (330/995-5084).

Rally Day is September 9^th!!! The beginning of the Church School year is right around the corner. Not only does The Church in Aurora return to a two service format that Sunday, but all of our Church School classes begin that day at 9:30 a.m. Parents, if you have not registered your child by that date, you can pick up a registration form from your child’s classroom teacher. Just fill it out and return it to the teacher. Please make sure we have updated e-mail addresses!

Rally Day is also the day we move back into The Escape after a several month long hiatus to renovate. We welcome all to a Rally Day Open House and tour of The Escape after each service. Please come as we celebrate together in a beautifully completed project. Thanks to several individual donors and a legion of volunteers, the Body of Christ really came together on this huge project for our youth.

Women’s Guild – As I write this I realize that summer is coming to an end.  But along with that is the excitement of new beginnings.  Women’s Guild will begin again on Wednesday, September 12 at 11:30 AM in Fellowship Hall.  This would be a great meeting to bring a new church friend!!  Our lunch will be prepared by Nancy Schnell and Sandi Post along with their Nutcracker Kitchen Committee.  It is sure to be scrumptious.  Tanya Shively, our new Guild President, will share devotions that day.  The program will be a couple of this year’s crafters.  After viewing their beautiful crafts, you’ll surely be ready to put your names on the sign-up sheets for "Nutcracker", Friday and Saturday, October 19 and 20.  Be sure to bring your calendars!  Looking forward to seeing you for a fun-filled day of Christian fellowship.

Paper Recycling – On August 4^th, a paper recycling bin was placed at the southwest corner of the parking lot (directly opposite the trash dumpster).  The Church Board has agreed to participate in a fundraising program that will allow the church to benefit from our recycling efforts.  The program is called Paper Retriever and we will receive funds from every ton of paper collected.  Shredded paper should be contained (as in a bag).  The bins accept all paper (office, newspaper, magazines, catalogs and junk mail).  NO cardboard and food containers!  There will be more detailed information around the church in the coming weeks.  If you have any questions in the meanwhile feel free to contact any of the Trustees.  Bring your paper with you to church on Sunday morning – clean out your house and help us raise more funds!

3H PM.  Our sessions will begin on Thursday, September 13, 6:30-8:30 PM, and will always be on a Thursday once a month--the day following the Wednesday Guild meeting from September through May.  Copies of our study book, Believing God, by Beth Moore, are now available; please call Kathleen Horak, 330-562-1930, for your copy.  We enjoy sharing our study as we continue the ministry of making blankets and prayer shawls.  Please join us!

Visit the Church Library – There are all kinds of books, video tapes and audio tapes for you to check out from our church library, located right off the Great Hall near the Nursery.  Stop by and see what might interest you!

ENDOWMENT FUND – Recently we were the recipients of additional donations to the Endowment Fund in memory of loved ones.  What a way to provide a lasting tribute to someone who is near and dear to us.  In making your future estate plans why not consider The Church in Aurora as a way to further profess your faith in God and in our house of worship.  These funds offer the opportunity to provide a stronger base for the ministry, programs, major facilities and maintenance of The Church in Aurora.  When you think of the legacy you will leave behind, prayerfully consider your faith home - The Church in Aurora - The Endowment Fund.

Chancel [Adult] Thursday, Aug 30 8:00 PM Sally McGill 330-562-3445

BASIC [7-12] Sunday, Sept. 16 5:30 PM Jim &Charity Omartian 330-562-8266 X229

Littlest [K-2] Tuesday, Sept. 11 3:45 PM Toni Harris 330-562-6260

Anne Ramsay 330-562-5256

Choralier [3-6] Tuesday, Sept. 11 3:45 PM Cheryl Miller 330-562-8492

Mary Lynn Griff 330-562-7940

HANDBELL CHOIRS  There are openings available in the 7- 8^th and High School Bell Choirs

If you are interested in playing, but have not participated before, please call Mrs. McGill in advance of the first rehearsal.

7-8^th Handbells Tuesday, Sept. 11 6:45 PM Sally McGill 330-562-3445

Adult Handbells Tuesday, Sept. 11 7:45 PM " "

High School Handbells Thursday, Sept. 13 7:00 PM " "

To parents of Littlest and Choralier children: There is NO adult supervision on rehearsal days until 3:30 PM.  We respectfully request that children do not arrive at the church before that time.

An evening at the Foodbank: The Missions Committee is looking for people who would like to be "hands on" involved in one of our missions, The Cleveland Foodbank.  Volunteers are needed for the evening of Tuesday, September 11.  We will be leaving church at 5 PM for a 6-8 PM scheduled work time (or meet us at the Foodbank).  This involves light physical labor, is a rewarding experience and will give you the opportunity to get to know other church members.  Please call Cindy Hollo at 330-562-1810 or email her at tweetyhollo@yahoo.com by September 7 if you are interested in going or have any questions.

What could the People of God do for the Kingdom of God if they were debt free? More than 35% of Christian marriages end in divorce, and financial problems are the number one cause. Beginning this fall we will present a 13 week course that will teach couples about money, budgeting, spending, saving, and how to communicate about their finances. This class will meet two hours each week on Monday evenings at The Escape. Called "Financial Peace University", this course is the brain child of Dave Ramsey and has been successful around the country as it has changed lives. People have learned how to handle money God’s way. Are you interested? Please contact Toni Harris at 330 562-8266 or e-mail at cedirector@alltel.net.

Care Team is looking for a few good people! If you could help, please call Flip at 330-995-6268.

Nashville – 2007 ICCC – "Whom shall I send? Send me." – The conference was one of the best!  Attendance was a high 395, of which 50 were youth.  Also, 85 first time attendees took part in the orientation program.  Seeing familiar faces, feeling hugs and voices that bring joyful memories, that’s what ICCC Conference is all about.  More to come….Elaine R. Duncan

Circle 3-H – Helping Hands Bring Hope – The first meeting of the year will be held on September 7, 2007, from 9:30 to 12 noon in Fellowship Hall. Our program will feature a speaker from Hospice of Western Reserve and her subject will be "Ethical Wills: Creating a Legacy". Our project will be making journals for the Children’s Advocacy of Portage County. Please plan to attend and bring a friend that we may keep our circle growing.

Have you ever wanted to attend a GROUP WORKCAMP? THIS COULD BE YOUR YEAR! Those completing 8th grade through age 19, plus adults are eligible. Please contact any previous Workcamper for information about an experience that is guaranteed to change your life. Questions? Call the Eavensons at 330-995-6268 or e-mail us at jfkacres@aol.com.

Learn how to have fun helping others! You won't be disappointed! Invite a friend.  One need not be a member of The Church in Aurora to attend.  You've heard about it, now LIVE IT!

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF PORTAGE COUNTY will be opening a ReStore Thursday, September 13^th, with a Grand Opening ceremony at noon on Saturday, September 15^th. The ReStore is located at 3391 St. Rt. 59 in Ravenna Township next to the County Clothing Center. The ReStore will be selling donated new or good condition building materials and household goods to raise funds in support of the Habitat Mission to provide a hand-up not a handout to God’s people in need – one house at a time. All members of the congregation are invited to attend the Grand Opening, and those wishing to donate goods please call 330-296-2880. Also, the Portage County affiliate will be recognizing the Habitat International Day of Prayer through special services held on Sunday, September 16^th, in four Habitat Covenant churches, including The Church in Aurora. The church’s continued support of Habitat is greatly appreciated.

Board Meeting – The Church in Aurora Board met on Monday, August 13^th at 7:30 p.m. Peter French, Moderator, reported that ytd worship service attendance was down 8% over 2006.

Jim Maulis, Assoc. Moderator, informed the Board that Marian Maulis will be organizing the Acolyte program again this year and that there will be an orientation meeting on Sunday, September 23^rd.

Jim Niebuhr, Treasurer, reported that ytd budget expenses are below our ytd budget revenue, but that a lot of expenses have been delayed and they will likely be back at budget levels before year end.  Revenue and expense projections are currently being developed and reviewed to determine if any budget reductions need to be made this year.

Tom Siewiorek, Stewardship, distributed, for comments, the Time and Talent survey form which will be completed by members during Rally Day worship services in September.  He also reminded all committees that their 2008 budget requests are due by August 17^th.  Stewardship is also working on the communication and guidelines for donating stock to the church, and the scope and procedures for conducting an internal audit.

Toni Harris, DCE and Youth Director, reported that The Escape renovation is underway and should be completed by Rally Day on September 9^th.  She also reported on the many other activities coming up in the new program year as reported in the Youth newsletter.  Toni also updated the Board on her recent attendance at the ICCC conference in Nashville where she was asked to lead a Rotation Workshop and made a 10 minute presentation on our own Promiseland.  She noted that there was a lot of interest from around the country from churches of many different sizes.

The Trustees report updated the Board on the recent basement/Harris Study flooding problem and their plans to repair the damage and control future flooding.  Work is expected to begin between 8/20 and 9/4.  The painting of the wood siding of the church continues to be a "work in progress" with evaluations and recommendations coming from Sherwin Williams and options ranging from a repair and paint approach to a complete residing of the wooden section of the church’s exterior.  The Trustees will have more to report at our next Board meeting.

Dotty Channel, C.E., reported that their committee is working on the program for Rally Day, and they will be having additional discussions on their 2008 staffing and budget needs at their next committee meeting on August 26^th.

Gordon Ober, Deacons, advised that they have been communicating with Fellowship re the Church Picnic at Sunny Lake, Sunday, September 2, and everything appears to be in order.

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