Summer Newsletter - Friedens United Church of Christ

Summer Newsletter
F R I E D E N S
2015
U C C
“It’s quite nice here in Oley–here in this lovely place surrounded by old stone
and well kept barns that practically gleam with careful attention. It would be
easy to pull a chair around to the back of the church and just watch the clouds
roll over the cemetery. This is what the summer heat does to me. It robs me
of ambition, and makes me a slave to air conditioning. Only tonight, Tuesday,
June 22nd after the storms blew through, did the air feel clearer and less muggy and I was able to go for an evening walk. So, I think it can be with our
prayer life and efforts to be good disciples. The cultural climate we live in robs
us of spiritual ambition. It’s easy in the 21st century, full of digital devices and
busyness, to lose track of our religious selves and become complacent.
How are you doing with your own journey with Christ? Is your spiritual life
flourishing? Are you satisfied? Finding time for our selves in any circumstance is difficult but finding that time to pray or be introspective can be even
harder, especially in busy households and chores. The summer, when some of
our schedules slow down, might be a good time to set aside a moment each day
to just sit and be with God.
As always, let me know how your summer is going. And, as I have been
known to complain, nobody ever calls the pastor to say they’re having a great
day. Surprise me.
Blessings and great days to you all! 
Pastor Anne
P a g e
Summer Newsletter
2
P r a i s e s & P r ay e r s
*Prayers for the Bachofer family.
*Prayers for the teachers & volunteers that are planning this
years Vacation Bible School .
*Prayers for Dan Levengood.
* Praises for a funny, entertaining
Young at Heart!
*Many thanks to our
Property Committee and
Mark Rittwage for keeping our
grass mowed and property
cleaned up all year long!
* Thank you Sandy, Sue & Cindy
for covering the office when I was
out on vacation!
* Praises for our confirmation
class!
Friedens News
September
Deadline
The deadline for the
September newsletter is
August 12th .
July 16th
10:30 - 11:30 am
Announcements
Join us in for a morning of entertainment & laughter with Pastor Dave Reinwald.
Hoagie Sales
August 20th
10:30 - 11:30 am
Gruber Wagon Works &
Berks County Parks & Recreation
September 10th
10:30—11:30 am
Thursday, August 6th
Ordering Deadline is August 2nd
To place your
order, call
610-987-3536
ext. #3
Come out for a morning of entertainment with Bertie Witman!
October 15th
10:30 – 11:30 am
Keystone Villa, Seniors Helping Seniors & Berks
Encore Grocery Program
Do you need an occasional helping hand, but don’t
want to “bother” your family? Do you have a little
time on your hand, and would like to help others? Or
maybe you are looking to explore future options for
you or a loved one; then today is your day! Join us to
see a few of the many options that are available for you
in Berks County!
Thursday, September 3rd
Ordering deadline is August 30th
Thursday, October 1st
Ordering deadline is September 27th
Thursday, November 5th
Ordering deadline is November 1st
**Please note: there has been a
price increase from $5.00 to $6.00
Church doors
Please remember to re-lock
the doors when you leave after
your meetings, etc.! They do
not automatically re-lock
when un-locked!
P a g e
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Mission
Team
Summer Newsletter
Mission Notes
* Bethany Children’s Home: We have delivered another carload of clothing ! & have also sent an additional $1000 to aid to
build a handicapped ramp at the Home! Thank you all so much
for your generosity which allows us to continue helping out Bethany!
* CROP WALK: a change of venue is taking place, so read all
about it in a upcoming separate article. Plan on coming out and
having some fun while raising money for a worthy cause! All are
welcome!
*Recycling: Due to Recycling Center regulatory changes, we will
not be able to collect old electronics. Watch for future details
about electronics recycling.
Meanwhile, please remember to use the specially marked bins
for all other recyclables throughout the church and take note of
the labeling, so the correct items are placed in the corresponding
container. Please DO NOT place trash in the recycling bins.
THANK YOU!
Oley Valley Food Pantry
July - School supplies, laundry & dish soaps
August - Canned / bottled juices (non-refrigerated)
September - Healthy snacks
October - Canned fruits and Veggies
*In addition to Friedens monthly specials, the Food
Pantry is in need of the following, Every Month!
Toiletries & paper products— always needed! shampoo,
toothpaste, deodorant, paper towels, toilet tissue…
Canned Meats— tuna, ham, chicken, ….
*Notification List: Thanks to all who have signed up to be
emailed about important church events. It is never to late to sign
up! Just call the office or notify one of the Caring Connections
members! It is good to know that those who want to be notified
will not be overlooked.
Start a garden, however small. Growing
your own food is not only fun, tasty, and
rewarding, it means less fossil fuels are
used to transport food.
*Opportunity House: Volunteers are always needed and welcome to help prepare and/or serve meals on the second Saturday
of each month. Even helping just once would be appreciated.
See Betty Hoffman for information.
July is School Supply & Backpacks Month!
Friedens UCC & Friedens Lutheran Church are teaming up to collect backpacks & school supplies to donate to the
Oley Valley Food Pantry for the 2015/16 School Year. The Mission Team has purchased 12 backpacks that we need
to fill with school supplies & that’s where you come in! You as a congregation can help support this worthy program
by purchasing school supplies and donating them to the church. If you are unable to shop for school supplies, monetary donations will also be accepted. Donated items can be brought to the church, and should be put in the basket
marked “school supplies”. All donations need to be turned in by July 26th. If you have any questions, please call
Sue Henne (610-944-6271-H) (610-451-3209– C) or see her after church. Suggestions of supplies are below:
#2 pencils (packs of 20)
Ball point pens, blue or black in (packs of 24)
1 inch 3 ring binders (solid colors)
chunky pencil erasers (packs of 3)
colored markers (packs of 8)
colored pencils (packs of 20)
loose leaf lined notebook paper (wide or college ruled)
single subject notebooks (solid colors)
highlighters (packs of 4)
We need 12 sets of each of the above items, enough to fill 12 backpacks.
Women’s Guild
July & August Meetings
There will be no meetings held
during the summer months of July
and August!
September
We resume our meetings on September 21st with guest speaker
Linda Conrad. She will guide us through the steps of pressing
flowers. Contact Loretta Rizzo to RVSP to the Sept. Meeting. We
need to have enough supplies on hand for everyone to participate.
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Sunday School
VBS
July 13th—July 17th!
9 - 11:30 am
Sunday School
Teachers Needed!
We are in need of 2
teachers for the
upcoming Sunday
School year. Please contact Kerri Hipple for
additional information
or to volunteer!
Do you have extra time on
Sunday mornings?
Christian Ed is looking for
Substitute Sunday School
Teachers! Help us teach
our kids the Bible, on an as
needed basis. Call Kerri
Hipple or Kelly Samuelsen
to volunteer!
Library Corner
VBS volunteers are always needed!
Please contact Katrina to volunteer
for Vacation Bible School!
610-929-2728 or
[email protected]
Teachers meeting
August 23rd - immediately
after church (approx.. 10am.)
Rally Day~ September 13th ~
Blessing of the Backpacks~ September 20th
Kindergarten Bible Presentation ~
October 25th
1st Sunday in Advent ~ November 29th
Christmas Pageant Rehearsals ~
Nov. 29th, Dec. 6th, Dec. 13th
Christmas Pageant ~ December 20th
Oley valley Community Library BOOK SALE!!!!
When: Friday August 7th, 4-8pm
Noel Christman : 484-491-1278
[email protected]
Saturday August 8th, 9AM-8PM
Sunday August 9th, 10AM- 2PM
Where: Oley Valley Fairgrounds
Closed Sunday and Monday's
Support the library!!!
Tuesday & Wednesday 2-7 pm
Many books to choose from…Young adult fiction, Christian fiction, Cookbooks and MANY MORE!!!
Thursday, Friday and Saturday
10-1 pm
Food Pantry: school supplies, laundry
products
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Worship 9am
Elders 7pm
Office
Closed
12
13
Worship 9am
19
20
V
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
8
9
Hoagie Prep 6pm
Friday
3
4
10
11
Opportunity
House
8-12
17
18
Hoagies 12
*CR - TOPS 6 – 7:15
*WH - Yoga – 6 – 7:30
14
15
Consistory 7pm
*CR - TOPS 6 – 7:15
*WH - Yoga – 6 – 7:30
21
22
B
16
Young at
Heart 10:30
Dave Reinwald
*WH – Dist. 31AFG –
6-10pm
23
Saturday
24
S
25
Worship 9am
VBS
CELEBRATION
Service
26
27
Private Event
1-8pm (parking lot)
*CR - TOPS 6 – 7:15
*WH - Yoga – 6 – 7:30
28
29
30
31
Worship 9am
*CR - TOPS 6 – 7:15
*WH - Yoga – 6 – 7:30
Building Usage Codes
CL – Classroom – followed by a class room#
CR – Conference Room
OK – Old Kitchen
WH – Weidner Hall
Food Pantry: Canned & Bottled juices
.
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
Worship 9am
5
6
Hoagie Prep 6pm
7
8
Opportunity
House
8-12
Hoagies 12
*CR - TOPS 6 – 7:15
*WH - Yoga – 6 – 7:30
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
19
20
21
22
28
29
Worship 9am
*CR - TOPS 6 – 7:15
*WH - Yoga – 6 – 7:30
16
17
18
Worship 9am
*CR - TOPS 6 – 7:15
*WH - Yoga – 6 – 7:30
23
Worship
9am
24
25
Worship
9am
30
Young at Heart
10:30
Parks & Gruber
26
27
*CR - TOPS 6 – 7:15
*WH - Yoga – 6 – 7:30
31
Building Usage Codes
CL – Classroom – followed by a class
room#
CR – Conference Room
OK – Old Kitchen
WH – Weidner Hall
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CALLING ALL PARENTS OF POTENTIAL CONFIRMANDS!
Wouldn’t it be great if confirmation was an engaging and challenging time for our young people – a time when
they might grow in awareness and faith – a time when they might appreciate the church in all its connections
and hope and possibility?
We want to make that happen and it will take all of us working together. We are off to a late start and there’s
much to do. If you have children of confirmation age – currently 6th-7th grade, then come to a meeting with
Pastor Anne after Worship, August 2nd or August 9 and learn about what we can do together to make this confirmation year special!
FROM THE SEARCH COMMITTEE
To date, the Conference has sent the Search
Committee 25 candidate profiles. Of the 25
profiles, 5 candidates have been asked to submit a
sermon for review by the committee. Of the 5
candidates, two have moved on to the next step,
which was a phone interview. One of the two has
moved on to a second interview. Our vacancy is
still posted on the UCC website and we are still
receiving profiles. Please keep the Search
Committee in your prayers as we continue the
process of searching for a pastor for Friedens.
No! You
are not seeing things that's our
very own
Amandus
Reichert
wearing a
commencement gown
at the Oley
High School
2015
Graduation
Service!
Amandus
was the
Alumni
speaker for
this years’
graduation.
Earlier in the school year, in the Fall, Amandus was also
one of five honored by the District with the Alumni Award
for Community service.
Consistory Notes
June 9, 2015
*Treasurer’s Report
Lynn Boyer presented the Treasurer’s Report for May 2015. She reported May’s
income of $10,462.77 with expenses of $13,047.53 for a deficit of $2,584.76. Year to
date income is $65,130.65 and expenses $65,617.11 for a deficit of $486.46. Lynn
confirmed that the Ascension Day offering went to the Oley Valley Food Pantry.
Karen Shearer will cover Lynn’s duties while Lynn is away on her mission trip.
Lynn would also like someone to learn her position to step in as a substitute. It was
mentioned that Trevor Hughes might be interested in the position.
*Youth Group
Lynn Boyer stated that the youth group will be having a pizza party at the Bethany
Children’s Home again this year, but a date is yet to be determined. Also the youth
group is going to Camp Swatara over the September 25th to 27th weekend.
*Open nursery position
Consistory discussed the open nursery position and decided that one paid person and
one parent, from the congregation who brings their child to nursery, will supervise the
nursery. The paid person will need to have the proper security clearances, as will the
regular parent volunteer, however an occasional volunteer will be able to sign the available affidavit. The paid person will supervise the volunteers. Kerri Hipple will create a
Welcome to the Nursery information packet as the nursery will be a part of the Christian Ed Committee.
*Lost Sheep Policy
Consistory had a lengthy discussion on the Lost Sheep Policy, it was decided to table
the Lost Sheep letter and policy until the next meeting.
It was agreed that a 2015 UCC yearbook directory will be purchased for the church
office.
*Property Committee
Stan Degler reported that the pastor’s office chair may need to be replaced as Pastor
Newhart brought in his own chair, but has yet to retrieve it. Stan also reported that the
fire extinquishers have been checked and that Amandus Reichart is checking on purchasing a new one for the kitchen.
Bids for fixing the sidewalks are being collected. Also the Work Day had a good turnout from the congregation.
*Mission Team
Marv Konyha reported that Sue Henne will once again be preparing school backpacks
for the Oley Valley Food Pantry. When prepared, Pastor Anne will bless them.
Work is progressing on the Friedens church library.
Mission Team handed out a guideline for requests for funding. The rough draft was
discussed and it was agreed that it needs some tweaking.
*Christian Education
Andy Samuelsen reported that the Nursery will be combined with the Pre-K this Fall.
They are still looking for one more teacher to assist with first and second grade as
Mark and Pam Rittwage are stepping down.
Puppet rehearsals will now be conducted during the Sunday School period. VBS is
moving along nicely, just a few more transport assistants are needed.
Rally Day was discussed and will be moved to September 13th.
*Personnel Committee
Andy Samuelsen reported that the personnel committee will meet on June 11th to
work on Policies and Procedures. Kerri Hipple has been working on the Safe Church
Policy and will present it to Brian Ott for review.
*Women’s Guild
Barb Covey reported that Women’s Guild had an enjoyable time holding their annual
picnic at Bruce and Sue Smith’s home.
It was mentioned that when a group has the First Sunday Social, they need people to
help with setup and teardown.
*Pastor’s Report
Pastor Anne asked the Consistory what would they like to see in her monthly report.
She will keep a journal and was requested to track visitations, special events, leave
requests, concerns and the names of meetings she attends.
She requested that Blessing of the Animals be held the first Sunday in October, to be
closer to the Feast of St Francis. She also requested a vacation day on September 13th,
as she will be away from September 8th to 15th. She also mentioned that the church
laptop is slow and may need to be replaced.
*Hoagie Team
Dave Wolfe reported that the June hoagie sale had 44 volunteers who made and sold
1,124 hoagies and showed a profit of $3,217.59.
Next Consistory meeting - Tuesday, July 14,2015 7:00 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Bertie Witman
P a g e
Friedens Review
May 2015
FINANCIAL SUMMARY REPORT
CURRENT FUND–THIS MONTH: Income $ 10,462.77
Expense $13,047.53
Deficit $ - 2,584.76
CURRENT FUND – YTD, May 31, 2015:
Income $ 65,130.65
Expense $ 65,617.11
Surplus: $ -486.46
Current Fund 2015
OTHER FUNDS:
Contributions
This Month
BUILDING FUND
OCWM
OCWM- Nepal
One Great HR
St. the church
$ 648
$ 314
$ 100
$ 346
$111
YTD
Contrib.
$ 2,961
$ 1,899
$100
$ 356
$111
Annual
Goal
$ 10,000
$ 5,000
COMMENTS: THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
OF OUR CHURCH. YOUR CONTINUED GIVING TO
Pastor Anne Contact Information
Pastor Anne’s Schedule:
Monday: Pastor Anne’s day off –
the office is still open.
Tuesday - Thursday: 10am - ? in the office
Friday: Office closed, you can reach Pastor
Anne on her cell phone.
Cell phone: 610-413-3802
Email: [email protected]
6
Hymn Sing and Communion!
September 6th in Worship
Tell us your favorite hymns
Starting the last week in July and going through August, there will be an
opportunity for you to request your favorite hymns. We’ll try to sing
them all on Sunday, September 6th. Even if your hymn is not in the
hymn book, we’ll try and get it for you!
Pastor Anne
Fill out a purple slip, and drop it in the basket designated
“Hymn Sing” or call/email the office with your request!
Notification List
Do you want to be notified of deaths and/or
immediate, emergency prayer requests here at Friedens?
Sign up for the notification list using the forms
under the bulletin board in Weidner Hall.
Or you can email the office to sign up.
[email protected]
There is No deadline to sign-up. You can sign-up at any time!
Please stop by the Weidner Hall table after
services to pick up the updated
Friedens Directory Insert.
Friedens UCC
337 Main Street
Oley, Pa 19547
Friedens
Upcoming events
United Church of Christ
337 Main Street, Oley, Pa 19547
610-987-3536
friedensuccoley.org
Church Office Hours
July 4th ~ Independence Day!
July 6th ~ Office Closed
July 7th ~ Elders Meeting : 7 pm
July 9th ~ Hoagie Sale : 3-5 pm
Monday—Thursday
July 11th ~ Opportunity House : 8 am
9am—12pm
July 13th - 17th ~ VBS! : 9 - 11:30 am
Worship ~ 10:15 am
Summer Worship - 9 am
(starts June 14th )
July 14th ~ Consistory Meeting : 7 pm
July 16th ~ Young at Heart : 10:30 am
August 5th ~ Elders Meeting : 7 pm
August 6th ~ Hoagie Sale : 3-5 pm
Rev. Anne Hoffman, Interim Pastor
[email protected]
Jill Robertson, Office Administrator
[email protected]
Dr. Norman E. Taylor, Director of Music
Elizabeth Newpher, Custodian
August 8th ~ Opportunity House : 8 am
August 11th ~ Consistory Meeting : 7 pm
August 20th ~ Young at Heart : 10:30 am