A Message from the Minister – In case you were absent on Rally Day, our theme for the new program year is "Raising Up a Family of Faith."  It is printed on a nifty purple pocket pen that you would also have missed (see me for one, I have plenty—they have been a big hit).  Almost immediately someone pointed out a grammatical error in our theme, mentioning something about a "dangling modifier."  Another countered that the word in question was actually an "adverbial intensifier" and quite acceptable.  Still another thought the phrase was redundant and should more properly have been: "Raising a Family of Faith."

A grammarian I am not, so I did what I always do when facing a thorny problem—I went to God’s Holy Word.  There I found the offending phrase in a couple of places, e.g., We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus (Acts 13:32-33, NIV).  One would expect the Bible to be the final authority on all things, but insofar as grammar is concerned, I was surprised to come across the following statement on the web: "Biblical scholars have noted that almost every page of the Bible, whether written in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek contains both spelling and grammatical errors.  Although some spelling errors could be attributed to mistakes by later copyists, it appears reasonable to assume that some of the grammatical errors were in the original copy."  As a test I copied some pages of the Old Testament book of Daniel to my word processor and ran the Spelling and Grammar Checker.  I know that the publisher must already have done this, but I nevertheless found an immediate suggestion for exchanging "that" with "which."  Hmmm, nothing is easy in this business.

I suppose that we are going to have to accept that our theme, like everything else in the church, is subject to differing opinions.  But despite those differences, the meaning of our theme is pretty clear.  In the same way, our differing opinions regarding theological and doctrinal minutia cannot seem to cloud the portrait of Christ we find in the Scriptures.  His compassion and commitment come shining through.  Ain’t that somethin’?  So I guess we will keep our theme as is and struggle instead with how to embody its message in keeping with God’s will for us.  In the meantime, join me in lifting up (pun intended) our theme with every opportunity.  Raising Up a Family of Faith (with you). –Bill

October 7 – Rev. Schnell (World Communion Sunday)

October 14 – Rev. Horak

October 21 – Rev. Schnell (Loyalty Sunday)

October 28– Rev. Schnell

August 19 – Total – 157

August 26 – Total – 238

September 2 (Picnic) – Total – 174

September 9 (Rally Day) – 9:30 – 144; 11:00 – 108; Total – 252

September 16 – 9:30 – 138; 11:00 – 114; Total – 252

First Time Visitors – (8-19) Bill Farkas of Yardley, PA

Baptisms – Parker Zollas Seitz; Kelly Marie Seitz; Matthew William Harrell; Conner Anthony Uplinger; Rachel Ann Downey

Weddings – Sarah E. Hawkins & Michael A. Dolezal; Jayme Lynn Byrum & Stephen Stanley Sabulsky, Jr.;

Jaime Palumbo & Matthew Thomas Simon; Cheryl Lynn Zalecki & Kevin Lee Erickson

Memorials – Mimi Roemich

Peter Lebas has joined the Scott Shoen’s Family Martial Arts Academy demonstration team.

Scott Brubaker and his partner tied for 8^th in Flight AA of the Northern Ohio Golf Association’s two-man scramble on August 23.

Danny Simpson kicked a 24 yard field goal and 3 extra points in the AHS victory over Twinsburg.

Alexandra Meister will be appearing in "Nutcracker Swings" on December 15.

Winnie Chubbuck recently celebrated a special birthday.

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.

You’ve Got A Friend in Me – Why not thank God for the gift of friendship and bring a friend to church on Sunday, November 18^th.  This day will be designated as "Honor a Friend Day" at The Church in Aurora.  On November 4^th, November 11^th and November 18^th, Reverend Schnell will have special sermons on friendship.  Be thinking about what special friend you will invite!  Mark your calendars.  More information to come!!

To: All women of The Church in Aurora and friends

What: Casserole/salad/dessert Luncheon (bring one to share)

When: Wednesday, October 10^th, at 11:30 AM in Fellowship Hall

Speaker: Lucy Wagner - Children's Advocacy Group for Portage County (remember the pinwheels at the police station to remind us of the many abused children in Portage County?)

Devotions: Sara Akins

RSVP: No need to make a reservation just join us for an enjoyable afternoon!

Become a Hospice Volunteer – Hospice volunteers are compassionate, non-judgmental individuals who provide respite and comfort to patients, caregivers and families.  Volunteers can expect to give up to four hours per week.  Training is scheduled to begin October 4 at Robinson Memorial Hospital.  Call Bernadette Thomas (330/297-8899) or email bthomas@rmh2.org.

THANK YOU TO HABITAT HELPERS! A big "thank you" goes out to all of those who helped with the Habitat for Humanity of Portage County lunch that our church served to the volunteers on August 25, 2007.  Those who prepared food were: Diane Brubaker, Elaine Duncan, Joy Evans, Phyllis Grumney, Lynn Limbach, Margi McDonald, Anne Ramsay, Wendy Stanisforth and Martha Wagner.  The two ladies who delivered and served the lunch were Lillian Papp and Carol Repella.  Volunteers worked at the Habitat Re-Store site which is located next to the Portage County Clothing Center in Ravenna.  The Re-Store will be opening soon.  Again, thanks to all of our faithful helpers.  Stay tuned for the next lunch and volunteer opportunity. Committee for Christian Action

Attention all Committee Chairmen – Please do not schedule meetings in the library on Sunday mornings until about 12:30.  Many people like to check out books or use that space for quiet meditation during that time.  Your cooperation is appreciated.

Bulletin Insert Announcements – In order to keep the insert down to a reasonable size, please keep all announcements for the bulletin to 30 words or less.  Details can be given in the Spire, online or on the bulletin board.  But we need to keep the size of the insert manageable.  Thank you.

Endowment – I recently attended a church planning meeting and was asked the question: "What is the Endowment Fund for?".  This is a legitimate question and there may be other members of the congregation that have the same question.

The short answer is "The Endowment Fund exists to provide financial support to your church when the responsible allocation of the available funds does not adequately support the programs and the maintenance of your church".

The maintenance of your church is a primary concern.  It is a beautiful old building and, as it continues to age, it will require an increasing amount of our available capital to keep it from deteriorating.  We believe that over the coming years the Endowment Fund will become an important source of maintenance funding.  These funds will be provided by the income the fund receives from the invested principle of the fund.

We encourage members of the congregation to make a contribution of any amount to the principle of the Endowment Fund by either giving cash or providing a bequest in their estate planning documents.  The principle will be carefully and responsibly invested and the income earned from the investment will support your church for another two hundred years.

Workcamp – There are a couple of slots left for the 2008 Workcamp trip to WILMINGTON, NC July 5-12.  If you are interested please call the Eavensons ASAP @330-995-6268.  Our first fund raiser will be held in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, October 13, 2007, 10 AM-4 PM.  We will make/serve/sell refreshments to the participants of the REMAX Aurora Historical Tour (featuring The Church in Aurora), in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce's Wine Fest.

Circle D will meet on Wednesday, October 3, at Walden Club at 12 noon.  Hostesses are Ann Vogel and June Coons.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  To make reservations, call Ann at 330-562-2138.

Fundraisers for Workcamp – Please continue saving used ink cartridges and cell phones for the Workcamp Fund.  You may place them in the basket on the desk in the Great Hall.  Your donations earned $557.90 for last year's trip!  This is an on-going project.  THANK YOU! Contact Kim Williamson for large item pick-up.

3-H plans field trip and lunch out for October – The 3-H Circle meeting in October will be a field trip to the migrant workers’ camp and facilities in Hartville, followed by lunch at The Hartville Kitchen.  During our visit we will learn more about the needs of the workers and their families and how we may assist them.  Then back on the bus and a stop for lunch at The Hartville Kitchen.  Sound interesting?  Space is limited so make your reservations by calling Marion Tarbell (330-571-4500).  Our bus will leave from the Walker Building Senior Center (West Pioneer Trail) at 9:00 AM on Friday, October 5.  Don’t be late.  Our schedule for the year is listed below.

Sept. 7, 2007: Speaker from Hospice of Western Reserve: Ethical Wills: Creating a Legacy.

Project: Making personal journals for Children’s Advocacy.

October 5, 2007: Field trip to Migrant Workers Camp.  Needs of children in the camp are school supplies, baby care items.

Nov. 2, 2007: Preparing bags, mugs and items for wrapping at the Dec. meeting.

Dec.7, 2007: Wrapping items for Christmas giving.

Jan.4, 2008: Making pillows for hospital and nursing home residents.

Feb. 1, 2008: Assembling candy for Workcamp sale.

March 7, 2008: World Day of Prayer at The Church in Aurora.  Short business meeting before service.

April 4, 2008: Blanket making at Robinson Memorial Hospital.

May 2, 2008: Luncheon at Christopher’s in Aurora.  Installation of new officers.

From the Stewardship Committee – Our Faith Promise campaign is rapidly approaching. Loyalty Sunday is October 21.  This is when you will be asked to determine your financial commitment to our church family for the coming year.  The plan for this year’s campaign includes lay speakers during Words of Welcome, a sermon from Rev. Schnell, Spire articles such as this to provide progress reports throughout the campaign and an all-church mailing in early October that will include the proposed budget for the coming year and a Faith Promise Card.  You will be able to monitor the progress of the campaign by observing the giant thermometer in the Great Hall.

Over the next few weeks Stewardship will be working on establishing a Faith Promise goal and appropriate budget levels for 2008.  Current 2008 budget requests are substantial and we are not projecting a surplus from the General Fund for 2007.  In addition, Endowment’s generosity in helping with several recent capital improvements projects will not enable a contribution from that source to help fund the 2008 operating budget.  The new budget will include a small increase for the church staff, a new fire alarm system, increased utilities and insurance, correction of flooding problems in the basement and a new position of Assistant to the Christian Education Director.

Faith Promise cards will be mailed October 8.  We are asking that you return them on or before Loyalty Sunday.  Your prompt response will help build momentum and spare us an additional contact during our follow-up campaign.  We truly appreciate your generous support in the past.  Your continuing support will be indispensable in Raising Up a Family of Faith at The Church in Aurora in 2008 and beyond.

Stewardship Committee: Tom Siewiorek (Chair), Ed Williams (Vice Chair), Brady Krebs, Demas McVay, Gene Strine & Joe Vero

Audio tapes of weekly services are kept for one year and can be found in the top drawer of the small chest in the Library, just to the right of the door.  After you have listened to one, please return it so others may do the same.  Another service from the C.I.A.  Care Team!

If you know of someone who attends our church and is in need of the temporary services of our Care Team, i.e. transportation, meals, errand-running, etc., please contact Flip Eavenson at 330-995-6268 or Mary Beth Alexander at 440-543-3989.

It’s Your Ministry – Stephen Ministry is an important way we at The Church in Aurora care for one another.  If you are going through a difficult time, consider having a Stephen Minister.  If you know someone else who is facing difficulties, suggest that they request Stephen Ministry.  Make use of it.  Stephen Ministry belongs to you!

Board Meeting – The Church in Aurora Board met on Monday, September 10^th, 2007. Peter French, Moderator, reported that August ytd attendance is down 8.3% from last year.  He also thanked the Deacons and Fellowship for their efforts in organizing the recent successful church picnic at Sunny Lake. 

Jim Niebuhr, Treasurer, reported on the church’s finances through August, and, based on current receipts, estimated that total income could be $8,000-$10,000 below budget.  He asked that all committees carefully monitor their budgets and make an effort to reduce future expenses wherever possible.  A note will be placed in the church bulletin encouraging all members to bring their 2007 Faith Promises up to date.

Tom Siewiorek, Stewardship, advised the Board that Ed Nemeth, ’08, had to resign from the committee due to personal reasons. The Board approved the appointment of Gene Strine to fill the unexpired term of Ed Nemeth. Tom reported that Stewardship, and Treasurer Jim Niebuhr, are hard at work collecting 2008 budget requests and Stewardship is preparing a Spire article, letters and speakers to kick off the 2008 Faith Promise campaign at the beginning of October.

Scott Holman and Jeff Fritinger represented the Trustees and presented their proposal to scrape, prime, and paint the church by the end of October, excluding the steeple, at a total cost of $35,000, contingent on funding being available.  They have already started scraping and painting the worst spots using $13,770 currently in the Trustee’s "painting project" direct contribution fund.  They noted the additional funding required to complete the total project would be $21,230 ($35,000 less the $13,770).  Endowment, Roger Shaulis, agreed to contribute $20,000 towards the required funding and will discuss the remaining $1,230 balance with his committee at their next meeting.  The Board approved the Trustee’s $35,000 painting proposal with the funding to come from the Trustee’s $13,770 painting fund, Endowment $20,000, and $1,230 additional from Endowment or our working capital reserve. Peter thanked Endowment for their generosity and the Trustees for their hard work in getting the painting project started.  Scott also advised the Board that work has begun and will continue on rebuilding the window wells and the wall and stairwell near the Harris Study.

Jimmy Eavenson, Missions, updated the Board on all their activities and noted that there are already 23 youth and 5 adults signed up for next year’s Workcamp. 

Audrey Winkler, Fellowship, reported that their next Pot-Luck dinner will be Oct 2^nd, and the Aurora Crop Walk will be on Oct 7^th.

Heidi Rudolph, Membership, reviewed the Fall, Winter & Spring new member dates, and updated the Board on the "Honor a Friend" day scheduled for Sunday, November 18^th.  This event is being coordinated between Membership and Fellowship under the leadership of Mary Wallace.

Toni Harris, Dir. of C.E. and Youth, reported on the very successful "Rally Day" and thanked all the volunteers who participated, as well as all those who contributed many hours towards the renovation of the Escape.  The Board thanked Toni for the successful Rally Day, and her part in organizing and supervising the Escape renovation. 

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

The use of colors to differentiate liturgical seasons became a common practice in the Western church in about the fourth century.  At first, usages varied considerably but by the 12th century Pope Innocent III systematized the use of five colors: Violet, White, Black, Red and Green.  The Lutheran and Anglican churches that emerged from the Reformation retained the traditional colors but they disappeared entirely (along with most other ritual) from the worship of the Reformed churches.  During the 20th century, the ecumenical Liturgical Movement prompted the rediscovery of ancient Christian ritual—including the traditional colors of the Western church.  To these have been added Blue and Gold—colors that were used in some Western rites before the 12th century.

Briefly, the colors express emotions and ideas that are associated with each of the seasons of the liturgical year.

Mission of the Month – This month the Missions Committee is focusing on Church World Services and specifically its Tools and Blankets Program.

Founded in 1946, Church World Service is a relief, development and refugee assistance agency supported in part by 35 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican denominations in the United States. The agency supports a broad range of poverty fighting projects in some 80 countries.

The blanket, a basic component of every disaster response program, offers warmth, comfort and shelter in the most fearful circumstances. October 7^th will be Blanket Sunday at The Church in Aurora. For those wishing to make a donation, we will provide envelopes inside the Bulletin and request that, should you write a check to The Church in Aurora, that you note on that check the donation is for Blanket Sunday. We will also have envelopes in the Great Hall.