February 2016 - New Ark United Church of Christ
Transcription
February 2016 - New Ark United Church of Christ
ISSUE 2 | FEBRUARY 2016 From a waiting soul… “…to proclaim the gospel to all the world…” You may have heard it said, “Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words,” and that St. Francis of Assisi was the one who said it. Well, he didn’t say it, and even though it’s a lofty sentiment, it wouldn’t have gotten Jesus or the Church off to their robust beginnings. This quote is often used to uplift our actions and behavior: the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, is best witnessed in what we do rather than what we say. After all, as in another misattributed quote to Teresa of Avila, Christ has no hands and feet but ours. The Church is the Body of Christ. What people know of the gospel, they know because they have seen it in us, a living temple of God’s love. The gospel is seen and heard “I WAIT FOR THE LORD, MY SOUL WAITS, AND IN HIS WORD I HOPE.” PSALM 130: 5 when we serve at Hope Dining Room, when we give our time to Code Purple, when we volunteer at the Empowerment Center. Yet a lot of what a church does, and the folks who give their time to get it done, goes sight unseen. We who are part of church see it but those who are not a part of church have no idea. Mission and service are vital to our faith and to living out the gospel. They’ve also become the socially acceptable way of sharing the gospel with others. It's not always easy for us progressive post-moderns to talk about why we serve, give, and share, that it might have something to do with Jesus. Yet when the gospel becomes socially acceptable, it is no longer Be one, be open, be new, Cynthia 300 East Main Street Newark, Delaware 19711 302.737.4711 NEW ARK UCC A Just Peace, Open & Affirming, Earthwise Congregation Rev. Cynthia Robinson, Pastor the gospel—that good news that disrupts the status quo in favor of the kin-dom of God. Sometimes words are absolutely necessary to proclaim the gospel. Raising our voice for the voiceless. Telling the truth that no one wants to hear. Calling for action in the face of injustice. Saying “I forgive you,” “I love you,” “I’m sorry.” Proclaiming the gospel can be as simple as “how church changed my life.” Or inviting a friend to worship or to serve with you. A favorite hymn in Epiphany: “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” What are we telling, proclaiming, voicing at the New Ark? Where is our voice heard? Where is it needed? What is the gospel that needs to be proclaimed in Newark and in the communities where we live? [Pick the date] [Edition 1, Volume 1] www.newarkucc.org [email protected] NEW ARK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CONVENER’S CORNER Storm Longhauser, Convener Well, here we are again. Already. It's hard to believe it has been a month since I wrote my first article for this spot. Well, more than that really, since I had submitted it early, and I have an extra day now due to snow. So I've been thinking about what to put here. And I've been putting it off. (I don't always procrastinate, but when I do it usually turns out better than if I hadn't) A new year has begun. We're supposed to be full of hope and ambition. Yet for a variety of reasons, pledging is down this year. It means we have to think about how to do more with less. Or do less. That is difficult. Also, we have some costly building maintenance issues on the horizon. It can be overwhelming. It is a lot to deal with, even knowing that it is all in very capable hands. As I noted before, I've been putting off writing this article – waiting for just the right words to appear in my head. Then this morning I came across the Daily Devotional for today. It kind of coalesces a lot of the thoughts that had been flying around in my head. Were it not for a little snow (a blizzard, no less), this article would have been written and submitted before I saw today's devotional. So I am taking it as a sign. UCC Daily Devotional, Jan. 25, 2016 "Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord." – Psalm 134 I once belonged to a congregation in which a gifted pastor led a handful of people in a dying urban church to become more than 500 members. After her departure, interim adjustments, and the typical lull came another gifted young pastor, and now the congregation is growing again. A common ingredient? Servants of God who withstand the rainy night watch. UCC saint, Charlie Cobb, said, "The UCC does the right thing … when pushed." Pushy pastors, leaders, teachers, members AND resisting pastors, leaders, and members struggling with this messy "God thing" move both the church and the world forward, wrestling with often ambiguous hunches toward faint whiffs of a hidden God of unseen, hope-filled silences. Mahalia Jackson sings about rain ending for Noah's Ark, "When it looked like the sun, wasn't gonna shine anymore, God put a rainbow in the sky!” Sometimes we wonder, "Is there a rainbow somewhere?" Sometimes in relationships, organizations, a call, or even with God we can feel mired in darkness. But love, like the dawn, is not a feeling – it's an eternal promise: God's promise to love us no matter what; our promise to love God with all our hearts souls, minds and might; a community's aim and actions to love one another the way God loves us. Not a mere destination, such love is often a messy journey. So leap headlong off your cliff of doubt and despair – whatever it is … God promises wings to sunshine, rainbows, and courage for future dark nights. – Ron Buford, pastor Congregational Community Church of Sunnyvale, UCC, Sunnyvale, California It's funny that as I reread it, it seems to me it's not just a message for today. It's a message for a New Year. I think we can be that little church that Buford speaks of – we have a gifted pastor, Continued on nextwe page are talented, faithful servants of God, and we put love at the center of all that we do. We NEW ARK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Convener’s Corner – From previous page we have a gifted pastor, we are talented, faithful servants of God, and we put love at the center of all that we do. We have been servants of God who withstand the rainy night watch. And I believe we can push ourselves to do it again. If there's one thing I know about the New Ark, it's that when we face a challenge, we recommit ourselves to our mission, pull together, and support one another. And we do what it takes to ensure the metaphorical sunshine after the rain. That's not just a wonderful blessing. It's inspiring. And it gives me hope for a year of great expectation. So I close with the prayer that goes with today's devotional: “Gracious God, Help us to love and trust you through the darkness and over the rainbow. Thank you! Amen” PLEDGING TOWARD A COMMON PURPOSE After reading through the New Ark UCC 2015 Annual Report, it is evident how we have met our Purpose this year – “The purpose of this church is to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ, bringing together the followers to celebrate the sacraments, to worship God together, to work through ministry to one another, and to reach out to all humankind by striving for justice, peace, and dignity throughout the world.” In 2015, we donated generously to Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM). Gifts to OCWM ensure that the United Church of Christ’s extravagant welcome reaches people throughout the world, funds work done in the Associations, Conferences, and in the national and global church. It provides the support and resources needed for UCC ministries including support to clergy, congregation vitality, youth ministries, justice immersion centers, and young adults in mission. More information on how our contributions help change lives can be found at http://www.uccfiles.com/pdf/o cwmbrochure.pdf. Locally, many people in our community have benefited from our missions. Our benevolences went to 16 agencies/organizations in the categories of Earthwise, Housing, Hunger, Peace & Justice. Another beneficiary was the Wade Center in Pipestem, West Virginia, where our Youth Group and a few adults spent a week on their mission trip. To keep up our mission work in 2016, your help is urgently needed! As you have seen in the 2016 budget proposal, funds for OCWM and our mission work are greatly reduced from 2015 levels. Will you please reconsider your pledge for 2016? Or, if you have not pledged yet, will you consider pledging so we can continue to meet the goals of our church’s Purpose? If so, please contact our Financial Secretary, Flo Waibel. Thank you!! MARK YOUR CALENDAR: NAUCC UPCOMING EVENTS Souper Bowl Sunday On Sunday, Feb. 7, members of the Youth Group will be collecting contributions to help reduce hunger in our local community. Please save your change between now and then to put into our soup pots after morning worship. Every little bit helps! Mardi Gras Luncheon On Sunday, Feb. 14, bring your favorite Mardi Gras food to celebrate the Lenten season. Served potluck style, everyone is encouraged to whip up some Cajun cuisine like jambalaya, shrimp creole or gumbo. If Creole food isn’t your thing, a favorite Valentine’s Day treat to serve is okay too – we’ll simply combine the two holidays! Come celebrate the start of spring! NEW ARK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST FEBRUARY-MARCH ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DATE TOPIC PRESENTER 2/7 Annual Meeting and potluck luncheon No traditional CE 2/14 (Lent) Baptism Membership Growth Committee 2/21 (Lent) Baptism Membership Growth Committee 2/18 (Lent) Baptism Membership Growth Committee 3/6 (Lent) Baptism Membership Growth Committee 3/13 (Lent) Baptism Membership Growth Committee 3/20 (Lent) Baptism Membership Growth Committee 3/27 EASTER No CE DINING FOR WOMEN UPDATE JANUARY’S RESCHEDULED MEETING: Due to the snowstorm, the Jan. 24 meeting of Dining for Women has been rescheduled for Sunday, Feb. 7 at the home of Jean Kutcher. The project in Mexico is “Puente A La Salud Comunitania,” Amaranth Empowering Rural Women to Improve Nutrition & Family Economy. Additional information can be found at http://diningforwomen.org/programs/puente-a-la-saludcommunitaria/ FEBRUARY’S MEETING: Sunday, Feb. 28 will be the regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the New Ark. The focused program for February will be in Mumbai, India: “Vacha Charitable Trust” which empowers marginalized girls with the skills they need to become active leaders in their communities and affect community change. Learn more about this program at http://diningforwomen.org/programs/vacha-charitabletrust/ Join us for either or both gatherings. Just bring an appetizer to share, learn about these projects, and contribute if you wish (suggested that one’s contribution might be what one would spend going out to dinner). PASTOR-CONGREGATION RELATIONS COMMITTEE The PCRC Committee met in January to organize for the upcoming year. We welcome back Pat Eber, Jenny Greenzweig (Chairperson), Storm Longhauser, and Jim Pletz. Our new members are Cynthia A. Robinson and Barbara Williams. We are the liaison between you and our pastor, Cynthia E. Robinson. Please feel free to speak to any of us! ASHES TO GO/ASHES & ART Come get your ashes and a prayer on Wednesday morning, Feb. 10, near the Newark United Methodist Church on Main Street, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Rev. Cynthia Robinson and Rev. David Palmer of the Newark UMC will be on the sidewalk to greet you. Look for our ‘Ashes to Go’ sign. That evening at 7 p.m. we will engage in a Lenten art project, sing, pray, and receive ashes. This simple art project will be used in worship throughout Lent and into Easter. ADULT CE CONVERSATION ON BAPTISM DURING LENT Beginning Sunday, Feb. 14 and each Sunday following in the season of Lent, we will engage in a conversation about baptism, its meaning and practice, and specifically its relationship to church membership. One of our resources will be Rachel Held Evans' book Searching for Sunday. Facilitated by our pastor, Cynthia Robinson. NEW ARK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NAUCC Building Status At the Annual Meeting the Facilities Committee will report on the status of the building and of several projects planned for handling problems that have been discovered as a result of a review of the property by a structural engineer. We will be taking action to stop the settling of the floor slab in Wells Hall. This problem is caused by ponding of storm water outside and to the right of the exit door on the west wall of Wells Hall. It is presently estimated that this will cost $12,000 and will come from Facilities reserves and unrestricted reserves in the New Ark accounts. The second project has to do with repair of stucco and elimination of certain areas where water is entering the building from defects in the building envelope. This is estimated to cost at least $8,000 (but has not been professionally priced at this time). Again this cost will come from unrestricted reserve accounts. More information will be available at the Budget Hearing and Annual Meeting. – Jim Meehan Facilities Committee, Facilitator More Agenda info on next page ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 11 a.m. OPENING PRAYER SELECTION OF OPEN POSITIONS 1 CONGREGATIONAL REP. TO COORDINATING COMMITTEE (‘18) 1 VOLUNTEER ENLISTMENT COMMITTEE (‘17) RECOGNITION OF RETIRING AND NEW OFFICERS TREASURER’S REPORT ADOPTION OF THE 2016 BUDGET ACCEPTANCE OF ANNUAL REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES & TASK FORCES NEW BUSINESS FACILITIES COMMITTEE REPORT ON URGENT BUILDING CONDITIONS VOTE ON CENTER FOR PROGRESSIVE RENEWAL CONSULTING PROPOSAL – CHURCH IDENTITY WORKSHOP VOTE ON THE SOCIAL CONCERNS RESERVE FUND PROPOSAL PASTOR’S REPORT ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNING PRAYER “The purpose of this church is to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ, bringing together the followers to celebrate the sacraments, to worship God together, to work through ministry to one another, and to reach out to all humankind by striving for justice, peace, and dignity throughout the world.” Constitution and Bylaws, New Ark United Church of Christ CHURCH IDENTITY WORKSHOP PROPOSAL For the past year I have been working with a coach from the Center for Progressive Renewal, Rev. Glenna Shepherd. Each month we discuss different aspects of ministry and leadership, as well as church dynamics. Through this relationship and our work together, Glenna proposed that she would lead a workshop with us to help us discover our church's unique identity. In our time with Glenna, she would help us identify the values, dreams, and mission priorities that ground our present identity as a church; she would draft a statement of the distinctive identity of this church; we would then begin to make the connections between our distinctive identity as a church and our distinctive mission. One of the identified goals of the Interim Task Force was to answer the questions "Who are we? Why are we here?" This workshop would be the next step in answering these vital questions. Each month in 2016 I have been and will continue to highlight an aspect of church identity as it relates to this congregation, in preparation for this important process. The proposed dates for this workshop are Sept. 30-Oct. 1, with a total cost of about $4,700. More information will be presented at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 7. – Rev. Cynthia Robinson NEW ARK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST ANNUAL MEETING: SOCIAL CONCERNS RESERVE FUND VOTE One of the topics to be discussed at the Budget Hearing and voted on at the Annual Meeting is the proposal to establish a Social Concerns Reserve Fund: 1. The Social Concerns Reserve Fund is established to be used by the Social Concerns Committee as they deem appropriate to impact missions beyond our traditional benevolence spending. 2. The Social Concerns LECTIONARY READINGS Feb. 7: Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36 Feb. 14: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13 Feb. 21: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35 Feb. 28: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9 NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: FEB. 22 Reserve Fund will receive 10 percent of the amount of the unrestricted net cash assets remaining at the end of the previous budget year. This policy of funding the Social Concerns Reserve Fund will continue in effect as long as the amount of unrestricted net cash assets exceeds the amount of money needed to cover two months of the New Ark UCC’s operating expenses. 3. The Social Concerns Reserve Fund may also accept contributions made directly to the reserve fund by individuals or other entities. These contributions will also allow the Social Concerns Committee to use the funds as they deem appropriate to impact missions beyond our traditional benevolence spending. 4. The guidelines of the Social Concerns Reserve Fund may be changed by vote of the congregation at a congregational meeting. FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 7 8 11 17 18 19 20 26 Chris Franson-Wright Jon Manon and John Williams Bob Cassels Geoffrey Dressler Pam Bitter Angela Seguin Kathy Hyde and Beverly Wieland Stacie Brown May God Bless You on your birthday! If we’ve missed your special day, please contact the church office at (302) 737-4711 or email [email protected]. NEW ARK BOOK GROUP The Book Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, at the home of Brenda Toomey for discussion of Quiet: The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain. The talk will be led by Donna Dickhart. Everyone is welcome to attend. NEW ARK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST February 2016 SUN TUES MON 1 Chimes cleans 11:30am-2pm AA 6pm DA4A 7pm OA 7pm * * indicates off site WED THUR FRI SAT 2 Membership Growth 6:30pm Social Concerns 6:30pm 3 Bridge 9am-2pm Zen 6:30-9pm 4 5 6 Private Rental 1-5pm 8 Chimes cleans 11:30am-2pm AA 6pm OA 7pm 9 10 11 Worship Committee 6:30pm Finance 6:30pm Childcare provided 12 Delaware Unschoolers 1:30-5pm 13 Greater Grace 1-4pm Couples for Christ 6-10pm 15 16 Coordinating Committee 6:30pm 17 Bridge 9am-2pm Zen 6:30-9pm 18 *Book Group 7pm 19 *Hope Dining Room 20 Couples for Christ noon-4pm 23 24 Delaware Unschoolers 1-5pm The Moms Group 6pm Zen 6:30-9pm 25 26 27 Greater Grace 1-4pm Childcare provided 7 Sci/Tech Sunday Choir 8:30am Worship & Communion 9:30am Ash Wednesday The Moms Group 6pm Zen 6:30-9pm Annual Mtg. 11am Greater Grace 4pm 14 First Sunday of Lent Choir 8:30am Worship 9:30am NAUCC office closed Chimes cleans 11:30am-2pm AA 6pm OA 7pm Greater Grace 4pm 21 22 Choir 8:30am Worship 9:30am deadline 28 29 Chimes cleans 11:30am-2pm AA 6pm OA 7pm Second Sunday March newsletter of Lent Third Sunday of Lent Choir 8:30am Worship 9:30am Dining for Women 5:30-8pm Chimes cleans 11:30am-2pm AA 6pm OA 7pm