January Minutes - Sewickley United Methodist Church

SEWICKLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
JANUARY 2014 Minutes
January 2014
From The Pastor’s Heart
It is hard to believe that in a few short
days we will turn the calendar page to
not only a whole new month, but a whole
new year. As we prepare to say goodbye
to 2013, the morning news programs,
newspapers and tabloids are inviting us
on a journey, a journey to look over our
shoulders and look back. Many are titling
this journey, “The Year in Review.”
The memories of 2013 will not be easily
erased. Some regard it as a year of
blessings, perhaps because of
opportunities of advancement in
education or career that have come their
way, or an account of success in
business undertakings, or the gift and
blessings of a marriage or the blessing of
the birth of a baby or grandbaby.
I am equally aware that for some, 2013
was one of mixed blessings due to sad
incidents that might have taken place:
economic woes; tragedy that struck
close to home; severe illness and/or
loved ones who departed this life. Some
are looking forward to closing the book to
2013 and thankful to see it end.
As I look back over the 2013 church
calendar, I am in awe and filled with
thanksgiving for all the ways you have
been faithful to the gospel of Jesus
Christ. You have been the Church in the
giving of yourselves in countless ways:
the giving of your time and talents and
your financial support as you helped to
continue building the Kingdom of God.
We have paid our Connectional
Apportionments in full ($26,223.00).
Nurture, Witness and Outreach has
provided ministry in so many ways
totaling approximately $18,000.00. This
does not include the 53 children at
Bethany House for whom we provided
Christmas gifts and weekly meals, as
well as providing meals for the Center for
Hope. There are so many other ways we
have been the face of Christ to the
community and the world. I thank you
and am honored to be the pastor of such
a caring congregation who takes
seriously its call to make Disciples of
Jesus Christ for the Transformation of
the world.
All of this does not include the gigantic
step of faith we have embraced to
renovate the sanctuary and pipe organ.
A total of $170,000 has been pledged to
this project. Please continue to pray for
this project. If you have already pledged,
I thank you. If you have not pledged and
are able, please give careful prayer and
consideration as to what God is calling
you to do.
As we prepare to close this book called
2013, we are also called to stand on tip-
toes looking to the future. God has
exciting and amazing plans for this
Church. The next four months we will
worship in the Simpson Room as our
sanctuary and pipe organ are under
renovation.
We will offer continued updates on the
progress as we look forward to Easter
Sunday (April 21, 2014) when our
bishop, Bishop Thomas Bickerton brings
the Easter Message and consecrates our
renovated sanctuary.
We look back and give thanks; we look
back and recognize 2013 as a spring
board to our looking ahead with eager
anticipation as to what God has in store
for us individually and collectively as a
church.
Continued next page
Pastor Russel has an open door policy.
Anyone wishing to speak to the pastor,
is welcomed and encouraged to call.
He is available 24/7. You may reach
him at one of the numbers below. If
there is an emergency, please call the
parsonage regardless of the time.
Church Office:
(412)741-9430
Pastor’s Office:
(412)741-9433
Parsonage:
(412)741-9679
Cell Phone:
(412)735-5072
E Mail: [email protected]
I NS IDE TH IS ED IT ION
From the Pastor’s Heart ............................. 1
2014 Committees ....................................... 7
Birthdays .................................................... 5
Baby News ................................................. 2
Calendar................................................... 10
Education News ......................................... 2
Notes ....................................................... 11
Nurture, Outreach & Witness ............... 4 & 5
Poinsettia Dedications ............................... 6
Prayer Requests ........................................ 5
Sanctuary Renovation Project ................... 8
Shut-In List ................................................ 8
Treasurer’s Report ..................................... 6
Window News ............................................ 8
Worship Opportunities................................ 3
JANUARY 2014 MINUTES
FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART, CONTINUED
I look forward to making the journey through 2014 with you.
Prayers for a blessed New Year,
Nancy and I wish to thank you all for the
Christmas wishes and gifts. We also wish to
thank our Church family for the generous
Christmas gift.
Pastor Russel
Receiving the Sacrament of
Holy Baptism on December 22,
2013 was Brody Alexander
Brenneisen. Brody was born
on September 11, 2013 in
Sewickley, Pennsylvania. He is
the son of Wendy and Bill
Brenneisen, and the brother of Ava and William. Brody’s
grandparents are John and Judy Zitzman, and Claudia and the late
Bill Brenneisen. His godparents are Heather and Anthony
Patterson.
Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on
December 22, 2013 was Aubrianna Adalyn
Ishman. Aubrianna was born in Sewickley,
Pennsylvania on September 28, 2013. She is
the daughter of Faith Cook and Cody Ishman.
Her grandmothers are Rebecca Bennett, Jr.
and Dana Ellis. Aubrianna is the greatgranddaughter of Rebecca Bennett, Sr. and
James Bennett. Her godparents are Donovan
Brown and Rachael Marino.
Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Baptism
on December 29, 2013 was Bode
Robinson Ledger. Bode was born on
October 18, 2013, in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. He is the son of Justin and
Kate Ledger, and the brother of Andrea.
Bode’s grandparents are Anne Robinson
and Bob and Jill Ledger.
Elizabeth Joy Hartman was born on
October 30, 2013, in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of
Tracey and Brian Hartman, and the sister
of Jacob. Elizabeth's grandparents are
Gary & Marlene Pflugh and Jack & Sandy
Hartman. Her godparents are Brad
Hartman & Sherri Wydra.
H u m a n R e l at i o n s S p e c i a l O f f e r i n g Ja n u a ry 1 9
The Human Relations Day offering funds are divided as follows:
our voices — staying awake and keeping watch."
♥
Community Developers Program: 57 percent
Other examples of Human Relations Offering benefits include:
♥
United Methodist Voluntary Services Program: 33 percent
♥
Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program: 10 percent
A community developer, based at a Florida United Methodist
church, directs a ministry for school-age children and youth. The
“primary focus is to help the kids see Jesus and to help them
grow developmentally and spiritually.”
• In Little Rock, Ark., another community developer project—at
Theressa Hoover UMC—oversees 12 ministries providing day
care, after-school activities, gang intervention, jobs training,
substance-abuse treatment, affordable/supportive housing and
more.
• A program in Wilmington, Del., offers guidance and a caring
community for at-risk women, ages 12 to 17. Participants focus
on life skills such as improving school performance, finding a job,
managing time and money, resolving
conflict and setting goals.
Please give generously using the special
envelope or marking your gift accordingly.
Because of a Human Relations Day grant, United Methodists of all
ages travel to Washington, D.C., where about 30 seminars on
national and international affairs per year take place at the United
Methodist building across from the U.S. Capitol. The high-impact
seminars date back more than half a century with luminaries such as
Eleanor Roosevelt and Hubert Humphrey. The sessions empower
and equip participants to put their faith together with action steps to
change their world. After each group chooses a topic — poverty and
homelessness, human trafficking, immigration, environmental justice
— seminar designer Susan Burton tailors a unique learning
experience. "The program," she said, "offers us the opportunity to
increase our knowledge of ourselves and our faith, increase our
knowledge of injustices impacting our brothers and sisters in our own
communities and throughout the world, and identify new ways to use
•
(2)
JANUARY 2014 MINUTES
Worship Opportunities
-
JANUARY 2014
Contemporary Worship Service: 9:00 AM
Sunday School for all ages: 10:00 am (September—May)
Traditional Worship Service: 11:00 AM
January 4, 2014
Epiphany of the Lord
Sacrament of Holy Communion
January 19, 2014
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Human Relations Day
A/V Person 9:00 am: Sandra Lane
A/V Person 11:00 am: Volunteer Needed
Liturgist: Roger Thomas
Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 (UMH 795)
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
A/V Person 9:00 am: Volunteer Needed
A/V Person 11:00 am: Volunteer Needed
Liturgist: Atleah Grubb
Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 49:1–7
Psalm 40:1–11 (UMH 774)
1 Corinthians 1:1–9
John 1:29–42
January 12, 2014
Baptism of the Lord
First Sunday after the Epiphany
Sheltered with Love
January 26, 2014
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
A/V Person 9:00 am: Volunteer Needed
A/V Person 11:00 am: Caitlin Steele
Liturgist: Bola Nicholson
Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 4-9 (UMH 758)
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23
A/V Person 9:00 am: Lou Ann Scott
A/V Person 11:00 am: Pam Hess
Liturgist: Jessica Moore
Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 42:1–9
Psalm 29 (UMH 761)
Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17
E D U C AT I O N N E W S
BIBLE STUDY is held each Wednesday in the church library. Come confronts Pharaoh publicly, and YHWH acts of his own accord.
at whichever time best fits your schedule: 9:30 am or 7 pm. Everyone YHWH hardens Pharaoh's heart after each episode so He can show
more of His power. In Scene 3, YHWH finally defeats Pharaoh's sun
is welcome!
The SUNDAY NIGHT SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY is watching the god, Ra, by blotting out the sun and killing the first born. YHWH
video miniseries "The Bible," which appeared recently on the History commands both light and life! Finally, Pharaoh kicks all the Hebrews
channel. Come at 6:30 for fellowship and snacks, or 7:00 to dive into out of Goshen together with all the riffraff in Egypt. Still, Pharaoh has
to take one more run at these slaves to show his military might. They
the video. We meet at the Moffett's house at 212 Pilgrim Drive.
escape by crossing the Sea of Reeds. Act II is now finished, and
Everyone is welcome!
Pharaoh is no longer Moses' nemesis. Moses, the trained
administrator, now has a new problem!
The EXPLORERS' CLASS finished Act I of Exodus in November.
Moses was born and raised as an Egyptian prince. He into Median
Part of Act II is a change from "cat theology" to "monkey theology". A
where lived for some 30 years with Jethro and Zipporah. He learned cat always seizes her kittens by the nap of the neck and takes them to
basic Hebrew and learned about YHWH. Act I ended when a curious safety. A monkey mother rescues her young, but the monkette has to
Moses finds a burning bush and is given his commission to liberate
hang on. In Genesis covenants are given to individuals. Beginning
the Hebrews from slavery.
with Passover YHWH makes contracts with the Hebrews which
requires them to participate.
We are finishing Act II. YHWH has used Moses and Aaron to
systematically discredit each of the Egyptian gods. Each scene has
We will continue exploring the Bible until we understand everything it
three episodes; YHWH confronts Pharaoh personally, YHWH
has to say. Please come join us each Sunday in the library at 10 am.
(3)
JANUARY 2014 MINUTES
NURTURE, OUTREACH & WITNESS ACTIVITIES AND NEWS
GOODIES BEFORE SERVICES — Bagels and
other goodies will be served in the hallway before
each service starting on January 4th.
THANK YOU to everyone who helped
shower the Bethany House children with
Christmas gifts and to all who donated
gloves, socks, mittens and scarves to
help keep the kids warm. Your
generosity and love is so very much appreciated and truly makes an
impact in the lives of these children!
CLEAN CLOSETS FOR CAMPERSHIPS
Continue to keep your closets and dressers
tidy! Donated items (clothes, belts, hats,
shoes and purses) may be placed in the
large room of the church basement.
As construction is underway, we ask for your
patience for any inconveniences. Please be
mindful of using the doors off of Thorns Street
or the doors off of the parking lot. Please be
courteous to the worship services at 9 am and 11 am in the Simpson
Room. A hospitality area well be setup and available for you to use
in the basement. FOR YOUR SAFETY, please do not go into the
sanctuary while it under renovation.
PRESCHOOL BETHANY HOUSE
BREAKFAST/LUNCH MINISTRY SUMC has
embarked on an additional ministry for the
preschool children at the Bethany House. On
Mondays, we are providing breakfast and
lunch. We are looking for volunteers. If you
are available to help prepare and/or serve
breakfast and/or lunch, or provide part of the meal, please contact
Belinda Resler 412-741-7665 or [email protected]. This
opportunity promises to be fun and rewarding!
SECRET PALS ALL YEAR
LONG — On Sunday,
January 26th we will have
our annual soup and
sandwich fellowship after the traditional worship in the Simpson
Room. We will also begin our Secret Pal partnerships which will last
for the whole year of 2014. Sign up to be a partner in January. Come
on the 26th to get your partner and to enjoy hot soup! Details from
Bola Nicholson or Donna Sawhill.
FOURTH SUNDAY FOOD PANTRY
COLLECTION - JANUARY 26, It's cold out there!
Please consider donating soups, stews, and other
cold weather food to the Sewickley Community
Food Bank. The cart will be out on January 26th,
but your donations are welcome anytime.
CENTER FOR HOPE FOOD PROJECT —
On Thursday, January 30th, the Girl Scouts,
led by Sandra Lane and Belinda Resler, will
serve a turkey dinner at the Center for Hope
in Ambridge. This is one of SUMC's
ongoing mission projects for 2014. Please
see Sandra or Belinda to donate milk, juice, a cake, or cupcakes.
They could also use a couple more servers.
THANK YOU, HELPERS AND BAKERS AND CANDY YUM
MAKERS!! Thank you for helping turn your cookie dough into
‘dough’ for our annual Cookie Walk fundraiser! Because of all of our
volunteers who rolled and iced cookies, filled ladylocks, and stirred
and dropped candy and cookies totaling 6,000 pieces, the Cookie
Walk earned $1891 for the general fund. While on Saturday,
December 14th, the day of the walk, the snow kept the crowd low,
our congregation made up for it on Sunday, when our sales were
nearly $400. Next year we will definitely have
sales on both Saturday and Sunday. SAVE
THE DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH,
2014 FOR OUR NEXT COOKIE WALK.
Thank you again.
MONTHLY LUNCHEONS — The
Sewickley United Methodist Church will
be serving our community luncheons on
Thursday, Jan. 9 and 23, from 11 am to
1 pm, in the Simpson Room. On
January 9, a lovely buffet of homemade
salads with Pastor Russel’s famous
homemade rolls will be offered. And on
Thursday, Jan. 23, the menu includes homemade soup (your choice
of Broccoli Leek or Cream of Mushroom) and a yummy ham BBQ
sandwiches. All luncheons include a yummy dessert and bottomless
drink for only $8! It is the best lunch in town !!! Mark your calendars
and join us.
INK CARTRIDGE, CELL PHONE AND SMALL ELECTRONIC
RECYCLING – Sewickley UMC will be using ‘Funding Factory’ to
recycle these items, while raising funds for outreach projects. The
list of acceptable items is extensive, with full details available on the
bulletin board at the back of the sanctuary or online at
fundingfactory.com. Generally, Funding Factory will pay the church
for items such as ink and toner cartridges, cell phones, iPods (even
damaged), iPads and laptops, digital cameras, MP3 players, GPS
Systems (even damaged). Look for the collection box in the
Simpson Room and in the church basement. Clear
your unwanted items, recycle responsibly, and help
fund outreach ministries. (NO DESKTOP UNITS, NO
Want to volunteer to help? We’d love to see some new faces, men
and women. If you haven’t helped with our luncheons in the past,
you don’t know what you are missing. We not only serve a wonderful
meal to the public, and help raise funds for our church, but we also
have a wonderful time of fellowship. Please contact Belinda Resler
with any questions at 412-741-7665 or [email protected].
MONITORS, NO NON-DIGITAL CAMERAS – WHEN IN
DOUBT, CHECK ON-LINE OR ASK MARTHA
BOWARD)
(4)
JANUARY 2014 MINUTES
KID’S NIGHT OUT
NURTURE, OUTREACH & WITNESS
ACTIVITIES AND NEWS, continued
Our weekly “Kid’s Night Out” program, which includes dinner, is held
on Tuesday evenings for all children and youth from kindergarten
through high school. The schedule includes time for Middle and High
School Youth Group activities and Youth Choir and Wesley Chorale
practice. All are welcome to participate in each activity as they wish.
The schedule is as follows:
While your donations for the next Rummage Sale
are very much welcome and appreciated, please
hold off on bringing them to the church until after the
Turkey Dinner (Feb. 13, 2014). We are most
thankful to the congregation for their donations and
support of our rummage sales.
BOOK CLUB — The next meeting of the
book club will be Monday, February 3, at 7
pm, at the home of Dotty Price. We will
discuss The Killing of Jesus by Bill O'Reilly.
Save the Date!!!
The 66th Annual Turkey
Dinner
will be February 13, 2014
Look for details soon!
Tim McCombs
Troy Gleason
Wendy Shepard
Jeremy McCoy
Peggy Gleason
Bonnie Stoicovy
Rachel Boward
Delaney Bollman
Carol Egenlauf
Allison Lenhardt
Frank Cannister
Family of Charlotte Bacon
Family of Ella Mae Bailey
Olive Bower
Father Chuck
Rhonda Coles
Dee
The Dornsife Family
Corrie and Todd Engle
Elementary aged kids
Games or other activity
Dinner
Bible Study
Youth Choir
Games or other activity
5:30—5:45
5:45—6:30
6:30—7:15
7:15—8:00
Middle School Youth
Dinner
Bible Study
Games or other activity
Wesley Chorale
5:30—5:45
5:45—6:30
6:30—7:15
7:15—8:00
High School Youth
Dinner
Games or other activity
Bible Study
Wesley Chorale
Cheryl Barwell
Yawah Nicholson
Laura Hess
Mike Swaney
Oscar Aguilera
Benjamin Spencer
Bo Lenhardt
Bill Merryman
Jeff Canter
Dot Speak
1/1
1/2
1/2
1/5
1/6
1/9
1/10
1/12
1/13
1/14
1/18
Family of John Furry
Rella Guzan
Patty Hagadorn
Byron Harriger, Jr.
Henrietta
Kara Hine
Delaney Joos
Jennifer Johnson
Kevin Kenny
Jacqueline Kurzum
Dixie Lemasters
Lori and John
Bola Nicholson
Yawah Nicholson
Cindy Mascara
Shayne Matthews and her family
5:30—5:45
5:45—6:00
6:00—6:45
6:45—7:15
7:15—7:30
Barbara McCullough
Sara McCullough
Eleanor Milligan
Scott Milligan
Nicole
La’Keeta Pittman
Margot Pomeroy
Kola Ramos
Cori Reasoner
Erin Remaley
Family of Lisa Robb
Don Robbins
Andrea Robbins
Jim Rogansky
Elmer Schaefer
Barbara Schlund
(5)
1/20
1/23
1/24
1/24
1/25
1/26
1/27
1/27
1/30
1/30
Family of Jack Shepherd
Wendy Shepherd
Myrtle Smith
John Sotirakis
Joe Stenson
Larry Stine
Family of Arliene Swanson
Jim Theys
Stephen Thomas
Carole Ann Thomson
Tom and Nancy
Hanna Wise
Rex Woodard
Family of Nancy Wright
Terry Yandrich
Bill & Eleanor Zoeller
JANUARY 2014 MINUTES
CHRISTMAS EVE Poinsettia Dedications
In memory of Jerry’s parents,
Carl and Fannie Hagadorn
by Jerry and Patty Hagadorn
In memory of Chris Henthorn
by Tom and Marsha Kemp
In memory of Alvin C. Jones
by Dorothy A. Jadlowiec
In memory of Jack Shepard
by Wendy Shepard
In memory of her father, Wesley Smith, Sr.
by Pam Smith
In memory of Charles Lang
by Jean Lang
In memory of Joe and Esther Boward and Ruth Idecker
by the Boward Family
In memory of James Brimbury
by Paul and Judy Collier
In memory of the Littlecott Family
by Jean Lang
In memory of Richard and Jeri Cole
by the Cole Family
In memory of Ruth Byland
by the Resler Family
In memory of Debbie Kemp
by Tom and Marsha Kemp
In memory of James H. Sye
by Shirley Sye
In memory of Patty’s parents,
Joseph and Emma Hendrickson
by Jerry and Patty Hagadorn
In memory of Patty’s grandparents,
John and Emma McConnell
by Jerry and Patty Hagadorn
In memory of our loved ones
by Bob and Dana Yant
To the Glory of God
by Jerry and Patty Hagadorn
In memory of Eugenia Barrack
by the Resler Family
For the gifts of God’s healing and blessings
by the Pomeroy Family
In memory of Michael Grossarth
by Steve and Pat Grossarth
To the Glory of God
by the Bollman Family
In memory of William Funkhouser
by Jean Lang
In honor of her family
by Ronna Sue Cole Vangura
In memory of Veronica N. Wagner
by Dorothy A. Jadlowiec
In honor of Yemi, Yawah, Brianna & Isaiah Nicholson
by Willie and Bola Nicholson
In memory of Howard, Viola and Shirley McCoy
by Delores McCoy
In honor of Amanda, Alec, Jessica and Dan Hooper
by Steve and Pat Grossarth
In memory of Paul Henthorn
by Tom and Marsha Kemp
In honor of the Red Bird Mission Team
by Pam Hess
In memory of Edward and Kathryn Kramer
by All of their Children
In honor of her mother, Myrtle Smith
by Pam Smith
In memory of Lynda Vogel
by Steve and Pat Grossarth
In honor of Pappap Idecker
by Rachel Boward
In honor of Wayne Barrack
by the Resler Family
In memory of Elmer and Clare Swaney
by Mike and Kristine Swaney
In memory of Florence Shepard
by Wendy Shepard
Here is a summary of
the November
Treasurer’s Report:
Pam Hess, Treasurer
2013 Budget
Budgeted to Date
Expenses
273,081.92
250,308.61
19,645.41
242,254.23
Receipts
273,081.92
244,244.58
23,944.36
269,382.25
0.00
(6,064.03)
4,298.95
27,128.02
Overage (Deficit)
(6)
November
Year-to-date
JANUARY 2014 MINUTES
2014 CHURCH COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Church Officers
Other Work Areas for 2014
Lay Leader ............................................................................. Kim Benjamin
Administrative Council Chair .................................................. Susan Moffett
Lay Member to Annual Conference ..................................... Martha Boward
Staff Parish Relations Chair ................................................... Lou Ann Scott
Finance Chair............................................................................ Joe Boward
Treasurer ..................................................................................... Pam Hess
Trustee Chair ............................................................................ Terry Soster
Nurture Chair ........................................................................ Donna Sawhill
Outreach Chair..................................................................... Martha Boward
Witness Chair.......................................................................... Diane Bartley
Library Co-Chairs ..................................... Warren Kinneer and Eva Houser
U.M. Women Chair ............................................................. Kristine Swaney
Communications Chair.............................................................. Jack Moffett
Memorial Chair........................................................................ Atleah Grubb
Education Chair ................................................................... Tonya Bollman
Worship Chair ..................................................................... Kristine Swaney
Website..................................................................................... Jack Moffett
West Cluster Representative .................................................... Kris Swaney
Membership Secretary ................................................................ Pam Hess
Church Union............................................................................. Barb Bower
Hospitality Committee............................................Steve and Pat Grossarth
Disaster Coordinator..........................................................Byron Harriger III
Historian .................................................... Charles Wilson and Carole Ford
Luncheon Coordinator ...........................................................Belinda Resler
Children’s Church ................................................................... Andrea Lewis
Youth Choir.............................................. Susie Moffett and Charles Wilson
Wesley Chorale ...................................... Kelly Herman and Charles Wilson
Handbell Choir ......................... Pam Mayo, Jack Moffett and Kim Benjamin
Kid’s Night Out......................... Pastor Russel, Aimee Scott, Donna Sawhill
.................................................................... Bill Utterback and Susie Moffett
Fellowship of the Cross ........... Pam Mayo, Tonya Bollman & Bill Utterback
Acolytes ................................................................................. Laura Geason
Church Council
Memorial Committee
Finance Committee
Worship Committee
Witness
Susie Moffett, Chairperson
Diane Bartley
Kim Benjamin
Mark Benjamin
Tonya Bollman
Joe Boward
Martha Boward
Barbara Bower
Pam Hess
Sydney Lane
Sandra Lane
Felicity Moffett
Jeff Moore
Dorothy Price
Donna Sawhill
Lou Ann Scott
Aimee Scott
Terry Soster
Nicole Steele
Bonnie Stoicovy
Kristine Swaney
Mark Wiggins
Atleah Grubb, Chairperson
Jean Lang
Belinda Resler
Pat Rudy
Dot Speak
Myrtle Smith
Ruth Thomas
Joe Boward, Chairperson
Rev. Russel Shuluga
Hurst Bartley
Kim Benjamin
Mark Benjamin
Tonya Bollman
Martha Boward
Barbara Bower
Debbie Chesney
David Fields
Linda Flaherty
Atleah Grubb
Pam Hess
Susie Moffett
Donna Sawhill
Lou Ann Scott
Travis Sollinger
Nicole Steele
Kristine Swaney, Chairperson
Pastor Russel Shuluga
Hurst Bartley
Kim Benjamin
Tonya Bollman
Laura Geason
Pat Grossarth
Virginia Harriger
Kelly Herman
Pam Hess
Murch King
Pam Mayo
Jack Moffett
Susie Moffett
Dotty Price
Wendy Sheppard
Shirley Sye
Bill Utterback
Charles Wilson
Diane Bartley, Chairperson
Gordon Chesney
Ed Cymbalak
Jim Hamilton
Wilma Hamilton
Byron Harriger, Jr.
Sandra Lane
Jack Moffett
Janice Patz
Roger Thomas
Staff Pastor Relations
Committee
Lou Ann Scott, Chairperson
Kim Benjamin
Joe Bollman
Martha Boward
Kathy Canter
David Fields
Jack Morrow
Bola Nicholson
Dotty Price
Donna Sawhill
Bill Utterback
Nancy Wiggins
Committee On Lay
Leadership
Pastor Russel Shuluga
Diane Bartley
Mark Benjamin
Carole Ford
Jenine Furry
Warren Kinneer
Alisa Lenhardt
Susie Moffett
Jack Morrow
Dorothy Speak
Outreach - (Mission)
Martha Boward, Chairperson
Barbara Bower
Roberta Davis
Carole Ford
Wilma Hamilton
Barry Lewis
Nancy Wiggins
Communion Committee
Barb McCullough
Kandace Kramer
Pat Grossarth
Martha Boward
Tracey Canfield
Bill Utterback
Library Committee
Warren Kinneer, Chairperson
Tonya Bollman
Rachel Boward
Eva Houser
Sandra Lane
Alisa Lenhardt
Board of Trustees
Terry Soster, Chairperson
Hurst Bartley
Paul Collier
Bill Ferguson
Pat Grossarth
Tom Hess
Pete Hiles
Sandy Kuriger
Greg Lane
Sandra Lane
Ed Sawhill
(7)
Education Committee
Tonya Bollman, Chairperson
Pastor Russel Shuluga
Kara Briggs
Jim Canfield
Tracey Canfield
Jim Hamilton
Wilma Hamilton
Andrea Lewis
Susie Moffett
Bola Nicholson
Willie Nicholson
Aimee Scott
Bill Utterback
Mark Wiggins
Nurture
Donna Sawhill, Chairperson
Pat Ferguson
Dorritt Field
Carole Ford
Becca Greggs
Josh Inklovich
Dotty Price
Belinda Resler
Nancy Shuluga
Pam Smith
Beth Soster
Bonnie Stoicovy
JANUARY 2014 MINUTES
Sanctuary Renovation project update
That same article contained information on how friends and
supporters of the church can help with our project by donating
through a paypal account that we have setup on the church website.
We can all help to get the word out about this to our friends and coworkers.
Christmas is nearly here as I write this and this will be the last
renovation update I will be writing prior to commencing construction.
After the New Year begins, I will be writing to keep you updated on
the progress of the construction. We are just days away from
launching one of the most important events in our church’s long
history.
The next time I write the update we will be well under way with
construction. My Christmas wish is that the coming year will bless all
of you with renewed faith in God’s promise and that His power will
strengthen your relationship with Him and with each other. What a
blessing to be part of this church.
On Dec 29th we will have our final service in the old sanctuary and
we will be worshipping in the Simpson Room until the new sanctuary
is dedicated on Easter Sunday 2014. Our Bishop, Thomas Bickerton
will be in attendance to deliver the message and participate in the
consecration. What a big day that will be in the life of our church. It
is truly a blessing to see God’s plan unfold in such a visible way.
What an exciting time to be at SUMC!
Hurst Bartley
In the December 26 edition of the “Sewickley Herald” there was an
article on our renovation. It is very fitting that the community know
what we are doing in our church. I think it is fair to say that the
people of Sewickley, whether they are members of our church or not,
have an attachment to our church. After all, we are one of the oldest
buildings in Sewickley. We have been here on the corner of Broad
and Thorn streets since Sewickley's inception. Thorn Street itself is
named after Reverend Charles Thorn, one of our first ministers. Our
Clock tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Sewickley,
and most of us know that the community came out in force to help us
rebuild that tower in the 1990’s.
Hurst Bartley, Chair
Russel Shuluga, Pastor
Charles Wilson, Music Director
Susie Moffett, Council Chair
Terry Soster, Trustee Chair
Joe Boward, Finance Chair
Kristine Swaney, Worship Chair
Pamela Mayo, At Large
Barbara Bower, At Large
Donna Sawhill, At Large
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
This is a reminder that the stained glass windows in the
sanctuary are only to be opened and closed by
authorized personnel. We have installed labels on the
poles used to open and close the windows advising who
these people are. Starting immediately, they should be
the only people using the poles. No one else should
attempt to raise or lower the windows. Thank you.
On December 26th, Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios
removed the final eight windows to be restored. They
removed the six stained glass windows in the chapel and
narthex and the two transom windows over the Thorn St.
entryway. The windows will be taken to Pittsburgh Stained
Glass Studios’ facility in the West End, taken apart, broken
glass repaired or replaced, good glass cleaned of its existing
stencils, new stencils applied, fired to make the stencil
adhere, new lead installed as they are put back together,
painted, and re-installed by April 1st. This deadline will
coincide with the work now being planned for the sanctuary.
Please write to our Shut-Ins and keep
them in your prayers. The church office
can provide you with contact
information.
Marge Anderson
Elsie Becker
Lois Churchill
Mary Ann Cottom
Mignon Emmert
Mel Gittins
Shirley & Hank Graham
Don Idecker
Joe & B.J. Manzinger
Anne & Jim Phipps
(8)
Grace Scott
Marianne Schaefer
Grace Steup
Chuck Staiger
Helen & Bill Smouse
Evelyn Sye
Jim & Margie Theys
JANUARY 2014 MINUTES
Music Notes from Charles Wilson
In this, and in many newsletters to follow I will be explaining in some
detail the restoration of our pipe organ. As we have heard many
times, “we have an historic instrument,” and we do! My recent
research confirms not only that fact, but that we have a very special
instrument. Pipe organs are like buildings, they are, and were,
influenced by the time and thinking of the period of their design. Our
organ falls into a very interesting period known as the ‘Late Victorian
Period,’ or sometimes called the ‘Romantic Organ.’ The primary tonal
influence was the sound of the orchestra, with many pipes fashioned
and built to sound like strings, winds, brass, and of course, the organ
sound which is created by the “Diapason” pipe.
The Main Division, called the “Great” Organ, is made up of
the following: (remember, organ pipes come in sizes 16 foot,
8 foot, 4 foot, 2 foot, and fractions!)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
16’ Double Open Diapason-—61 pipes
8’ First Open Diapason—61 pipes
8’ Second Open Diapason—61 pipes
8’ Dopple Flute—61 pipes
8’ Melodia—61 pipes
8’ Viola da Bamba 61 pipes
4’ Octave—61 pipes
4’ Fle de Amoure—61 pipes
2’ Quint 2/23—61 pipes
2’ Super Octave—61 pipes
2’ Mixture III-ranks—183 pipes
8’ Trumpet—61 pipes
8’ Clarinet (from the choir division)
Chimes
The keyboard of the organ is the same in style as the piano, only
shorter—61 keys. For each key (black and white) there is a pipe that
sounds that pitch. So, one particular sound needs 61 pipes to
complete one “rank” of pipes. One rank, or set of pipes, is required for
each sound in the organ. So, the size of an organ is determined by
how many ranks it contains. Much like a building’s size is often
determined by how many floors it has. Our organ, when completed
will have about 37 ranks. So multiply 37 by 61 and you arrive at 2257
pipes. This is considered a medium size instrument. We have many
To the right is what a Diapason Pipe looks like. As you can
pipe organs in Pittsburgh that number 100 ranks or more; you can do
see, it comes in different sizes some ranks sixteen feet,
the math!
others 8 feet.
We are very fortunate our pipe organ was built in 1908, by the M. P.
The Diapason, also called the principal pipe is classified as a
Moller Company. This was an excellent period for Moller and all the
“Flue Pipe.” They are open cylindrical metal pipes which
original pipework survives today, and is in very good condition. The
produce a tone that is peculiar to the organ alone. The foot of
pipe sounds selected are a great example of the Romantic Organ,
the pipe is separated from the body of the pipe by a lead
and our instruments is large enough to play much of the organ music
plate called the languid. When air is blown into the toehole, a
of that period. While saving and restoring all the existing pipework,
constant pressure is maintained in the foot as air is forced
we plan, as the funds become available, to add yet a few more ranks
through a slit (called the flue) between the languid and the
of pipes to update the sound, and round out the original instrument.
lower lip. Issuing forth from the flue is a sheetlike air jet which
Each keyboard of the organ is called a “division.” The current
is directed toward the outside edge of the upper lip.
instrument has three divisions, or three keyboards, two for the hands
As the air jet blows across the mouth of the pipe, it interacts with the
and one for the feet (or pedals). When complete, our instruments will
air column in the pipe body and creates a slight vacuum therein. The
grow to four divisions, three for the hands and one for the feet. We
vacuum draws the air jet inward, and since it immediately creates
will be installing a newer Moller console (control center) for the organ
pressure in the pipe body, the air jet flips outward again. This rapid
that will have three keyboards and a pedal board. Even though some
alternating movement of the air jet into and out of the pipe, and the
of pipes won’t be installed until a later time, there will be a “draw
resulting flicks of the tip of the air jet across the upper lip, interact,
knob” (control to add and remove sounds) in place on the console for
one with the other, in a complex yet synchronous way, to create a
them.
steady oscillation of the air column in the pipe body. To this day,
Our plan is to complete this project in three phases. The first
physicists are studying and experimenting with flue pipes in order to
completed for the rededication of the Sanctuary in April, and the other understand and explain the complexitiesassociatedwiththeir
two phases as the campaign continues. The fist step in
toneproduction.TheOrganists’ManualbyRogerE.Davis
understanding this complex project is to examine each division
pp.191"
separately by showing and explaining each pipe. If you have any
questions feel free to talk with me at church, call me 412.913.7543, or
email me [email protected].
Congratulations to Edgeworth Elementary
fifth grader Alexander Clifford for earning
second place in his school’s competition in
the 26th annual National Geographic Bee.
He was one of 26 participants!
(9)
JANUARY 2014 MINUTES
January 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
1
2
Fri
3
Sat
4
8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Pancake Breakfast to
Benefit Kevin Kenny
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Liturgists' Breakfast
12:30 PM UMW Epiphany
Luncheon
5
9:00 AM Contemporary Worship
10:00 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM "Fellowship of the
Cross"
11:00 AM Traditional Worship
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Small Group
Bible Study
6
7
5:30 PM Kid's
Night Out
8:00 PM AA
8
9:30 AM Bible Study
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Luncheon
Preparation
6:00 PM Leap of Faith
7:00 PM Bible Study
10
9
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Monthly
Salad Luncheon
6:15 PM Handbell Choir
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
11
8:30 PM - 11:30 PM
QVMS Drama Club
Cast Party
12
9:00 AM Contemporary Worship
10:00 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM "Fellowship of the
Cross"
11:00 AM Traditional Worship
12:00 PM Turkey Dinner
Committee Meeting
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Small Group
Bible Study
13
6:30 PM Finance
Committee
6:30 PM Trustees
8:00 PM Council
Meeting
14
5:30 PM Kid's
Night Out
8:00 PM AA
15
9:30 AM Bible Study
6:00 PM Leap of Faith
7:00 PM Bible Study
16
6:15 PM Handbell Choir
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
17
18
20
21
5:30 PM Kid's
Night Out
8:00 PM AA
22
9:30 AM Bible Study
6:00 PM Leap of Faith
7:00 PM Bible Study
23
24
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Monthly
Soup and Sandwich
Luncheon
6:15 PM Handbell Choir
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
25
27
28
5:30 PM Kid's
Night Out
8:00 PM AA
29
9:30 AM Bible Study
6:00 PM Leap of Faith
7:00 PM Bible Study
30
Center for Hope Dinner
6:15 PM Handbell Choir
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
19
9:00 AM Contemporary Worship
10:00 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM "Fellowship of the
Cross"
11:00 AM Traditional Worship
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Small Group
Bible Study
26
9:00 AM Contemporary Worship
10:00 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM "Fellowship of the
Cross"
11:00 AM Traditional Worship
12:00 PM Fellowship
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Small Group
CONFIRMATION CLASS
31
Welcome to our newest church members
Confirmation class for all of those 11 years of age
and up will begin on January 26. Please contact the
office or let Pastor Russel know (in writing) if you
plan to take part. The classes will be held during the
Sunday School hour (10 am) and will run up to
Easter.
Dorothy Jadlowiec
Kate and Justin Ledger
(10)
JANUARY 2014 MINUTES
A NOTE OF THANKS
The SPRC Committee would like to thank everyone that donated to the
Annual Christmas Purse. Your contributions were a nice way to say
thank you to our wonderful, dedicated staff at this blessed time of the
year. Happy New Year!
Dear Sewickley United Methodist Church,
November 2013 provided to be a record month for the Connellsville Area
Community Ministries. We provided food to 534 families, this included
distribution of 454 turkeys for Thanksgiving meals. Your contribution
helped to provide the resources to distribute this food to the needy
families in the Connellsville area.
Thank you for your support and helping us to meet the needs, not only
through the food pantry ministry, but also through our various crisis
ministries that help prevent the shut off of utilities and eviction when
clients are unable to meet their utility and rent payments.
This Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, please
remember that your support of Connellsville Area Community Ministries
allows us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the needy and hurting
people we serve.
Merry Christmas,
Chip Rowan, Executive Director
Connellsville Area Community Ministries
Dear Members of Sewickley UMC,
If our thank you could be more tangible—you’d receive about 50 hugs
today.
That’s because—with your gift from Conference Advance Special to
EUMA—you are helping us to aide the 50-plus people who will receive
shelter and support through our program today.
A recent review of our program numbers revealed some interesting
information. In the last year, both the Refuge and Project Hope Outreach
helped 30% more people than the previous year. In fact, through all of
our mission programs, we helped 554 more people than the year before,
for a total of 2,971! That’s a lot of hugs!
It goes without saying, we wouldn’t be able to say “yes, we can help” to
any of these 2,971 people if it weren’t for you. We can be there to give
safe shelter, a listening ear, clothing, food, guidance and support
because of our marvelous donors like you who make it all happen.
Thank you for joining us in helping those in our community who are most
in need.
Keep updated through our website at euma-erie.org on how, together, we
are accomplishing God’s commission to serve those in need.
Thanking God for you,
Cheryl Davis, Executive Director
Erie United Methodist Alliance
Dear Friends:
Dear Friends in Mission:
Thank you for your Advance Special gift received through the Western
Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.
This gift makes it possible for the Church Union to continue its work in the
Pittsburgh region and within the urban areas of the Western
Pennsylvania Annual Conference.
On behalf of the United Methodist Church Union Board of Directors, thank
you for your generosity and continued support from Sewickley United
Methodist Church. Thanks for all you do!
Blessings,
Rev. Larry P. Homitsky, President
United Methodist Church Union
Thank you for partnering with the United Methodist Committee on Relief
(UMCOR). Through your gift, you are helping to provide humanitarian
relief when war, conflict, or natural disaster disrupts life to such an extent
that communities are unable to recover on their own.
Through the compassion and solidarity of faithful friends like you,
UMCOR is able to provide comfort to those impacted by disasters like
earthquakes and storms, food for the hungry, and healthcare to those
who otherwise would have none. These are just a sampling of the good
works that gifts like yours make possible. One hundred percent of your
gift through The Advance, the designated giving channel of the United
Methodist Church, will go directly to the people who need it most. Thank
you for giving so generously both our United States and International
Disaster Response projects.
To those who purchased gift tags, bought hot chocolate on Light Up
Night, contributed gift cards for our college kids' care packages, donated You can find out more about UMCOR’s work by visiting our website at
umcor.org. Your gift will bring hope to those who need it most.
money or items for the gift bags for our shut-ins, and joined us for an
Grace and Peace,
afternoon of Christmas caroling, the FOTC kids would like to say:
Shawn Bakker
THANK YOU! We very much appreciate all of the support for our various Roland Fernandes,
General
Treasurer
Deputy
General Secretary
December projects.
Dear Wonderful Church Family.
Thank you for your kind and generous “Christmas Purse” gift. I am truly
grateful and thankful to you all.
Blessings,
Pam Hess
I would just like to thank Pastor Shuluga and the Fellowship of the Cross
for the beautiful poinsettia and nice gift bag that Pastor Shuluga brought
up to the house the other day. It was so nice to be remembered at
Christmas time and I appreciate your kindness.
Mary Ann Cottom
(11)