echoes - Woodland Christian Church

ECHOES
Monthly Newsletter of
Woodland Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
August 2013
WOODLAND ART FESTIVAL
The 2013 Woodland Church Art Festival is around
the corner this August 17-18 and we need your
help! We will have a sign up board outside the
Fellowship Hall where you can sign up for a
number of slots
and
volunteer
positions.
sign up to volunteer!
859-576-5736 (Steve)
Contact
Steve
and Scotty Coon
if you have any
questions
or
would like to
859-277-4070 (home) or
EXCITING SUNDAY
SCHOOL NEWS!
Sunday school for children and youth, on break for
the summer months, will resume on September 8
(the Sunday following Labor Day). This will be
our Fall Kick-off Gathering and we hope you can
make it! The Education Committee will provide a
breakfast. We are excited to be introducing a new
curriculum this year – information to follow in next
month’s Echoes. If you’ve ever thought about
teaching, now is an excellent time to put that
thought into action – contact Lin Stocker at
[email protected]. - Lin Stocker
TIME TO SING!
Choir practice will resume beginning Wednesday,
August 14 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm to get a jump-start
on music for the fall. If you are a regular, see you
then. If you are thinking about singing, please join
us! – Joanna Manring
A LETTER FROM DOC
GENERAL MINISTER
AND PRESIDENT
General Minister and President
Sharon Watkins offers a letter that
explains what the adoption of GA 1327, Becoming a
People of Grace and Welcoming to All, means in the
life of the church. Her letter begins on page 3.
GRACE BEFORE DYING
Photograph and Quilt Exhibit
An exhibit showing will be at Lexington Area
Disciples of Christ Churches featuring an inmate
hospice program at the Louisiana State Prison in
Angola. This exhibit features photographs of the
inmate volunteers and hospice patients, along with
quilt crafted by them. Anyone working in the
reentry field, volunteering in prison ministry, or with
a loved one incarcerated will be touched by the spirit
of tenderness and caring demonstrated by the
individuals participating in this inmate-led program.
You may view the exhibit now through August at
the locations, dates, and times listed below:
Central Christian Church
205 East Short Street
Monday – Saturday, July 29 through August 10,
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sundays, July 28 and August 4, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
East Second Street Christian Church
146 Constitution Street
August 11 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Woodland Christian Church
530 East High Street
Saturday and Sunday, August 17 and 18 from 12:00
noon – 5:00 pm
Sunday, August 25 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
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AUGUST WORSHIP
NOTES
Although public school begins in
mid-August, because of the Art
Festival Weekend and Labor Day
Weekend, we will begin our Fall
Sunday school on September 8 as our
Kick-off Sunday. During the next
few Sundays, we continue with our
Summer Sermon Series using Marc
Gellman’s book, “Always Wear
Clean Underwear!: and other ways
parents say ‘I Love You.’” On
September 8 we resume the use of the
lectionary as our worship texts.
August 4
“Eat Your Vegetables!”
Rev. Dalene Vasbinder preaching
August 11
“Don’t Go Swimming Right After
You Eat!”
Rev. Dalene Vasbinder preaching
August 18
“Stand Up Straight”
Rev. Dalene Vasbinder preaching
August 25
“Share Your Toys!”
Rev. Ken McCullough preaching
September 1
“Say You’re Sorry!”
Rev. Dalene Vasbinder preaching
A Note from Dalene
In last month’s Echoes, I asked you to pray for
our church that was to be gathered at the
General Assembly in Orlando. This month, I
want to say ‘thank you’ for holding your church
in prayer and report, however briefly, on some
highlights of that gathering. To capture four
days of worship and meetings in one pastor’s
column is impossible. When we gather back in
September, a few of the first Sundays of Sunday
school will focus in depth on some of the resolutions and happenings.
Dave and Leigh Carr, Ken McCullough and I will bring you some of
those highlights along with DVD clips of some of the worship services.
What follows in this column just skims the surface of a well that ran deep
with cool refreshing waters:
Resolution 1327 – “Becoming a People of Grace and Welcome to All”:
On page 3, you may read a letter from Rev. Sharon Watkins regarding
this resolution. What I would like to add is that although some comments
were very painful to hear, this Assembly was more civil than any other
past ones that I have attended in discussing the welcome and inclusion of
people who are gay or lesbian. (We are growing up!) I teared up when a
16 year old came to the mic to speak in favor of the resolution, reminding
me of the very capable and loving youth whom will soon be adults
running our denomination.
Tuesday evening at the beginning of worship:
Three members of the NAACP, who were meeting in the same center for
their national meeting, came to speak to our Assembly. They brought
words of thanks for Rev. Sharon Watkin’s words of support to their
assembly earlier that morning. They thanked us for standing in solidarity
as together we try to dismantle the sin of racism.
Breaking bread together:
Each evening’s worship had an air of moving us forward as a
denomination, not keeping things ‘as they have always been.’ Music
combined sacred hymns, old favorites and new songs sometimes all
together in the same piece.
In the elevator at my hotel:
A young African-American woman gets on the elevator and sees my
nametag identifying me as part of the Disciples General Assembly. I
notice her nametag identifying her as part of the NAACP convention.
She looks at me and smiles, “You’re a Disciple? Cool! So am I! I go to
First Christian Church, Columbus!”
Join us in September as we share more. As I posted on Facebook, I have
never been more proud to be a member of the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ) than I was during some of those holy moments in Orlando.
Lord, continue to teach us to pray!
Dalene
3
LETTER FROM DOC GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT
July 19, 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ –
Grace and peace to you in the name of the living Christ who lives and moves among us, who calls us to the
Table, then sends us forth to serve.
I write to share a word with all Disciples congregations following an important vote at the 2013 Orlando
General Assembly.
In these days following assembly, my heart is prayerful; my spirit hopeful; and my love for our church
is strong. Surely, God has given Disciples a blessing and a mission for wholeness, welcoming all to the
Lord’s Table of reconciliation and love.
That blessing and mission for Disciples begins in a congregation. In congregations we come forward and
make or reaffirm our confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. There we are baptized, our
babies are dedicated, we are married and our parents buried. Our faith is nurtured and sometimes challenged
in a beloved community of other Disciples we know and love.
We extend the blessing as we join hands with other Disciples congregations to share God’s love in our
communities and around the world. We offer words and prayers of comfort and challenge, as well as handson help, to our neighbor in times of need. In many diverse ways, we learn the story of Jesus and invite others
to walk in his love.
The recent vote to “adopt” Resolution GA1327, Becoming a People of Grace and Welcome to All, has
significance for the Church, but it is important to recognize the nature of that significance. The intent of the
resolution is to urge Disciples to welcome into our congregations and other ministries all who seek
Christ. It serves as a reminder that among Disciples we do not bar the church door or fence the table
from those who desire the embrace of God’s love.
Here is what this “Sense of the Assembly” resolution is not:
v It is not a statement of “unwelcome” for Disciples who did not support the resolution. All who
confess faith in Jesus Christ are welcome. All means all.
v It is not a policy change. The congregation where you worship and serve will not be requested to
establish (or change) a policy on gay or lesbian persons in the life of the Church. The region where
your congregation is affiliated is not required to change its policies on ordination. Your pastor is not
required to bless same-gender marriages.
v It is not a theological mandate. It does not say that we have the same biblical understanding of sexual
orientation or gender identity. Disciples, prayerfully and with biblical study and other research, come
to their own understanding on these matters.
This resolution does, however, carry symbolic importance in the life of our Church. It reminds us that our
baptism into the living Christ continues to be our common ground.
It points out that within the broad membership of Disciples, among the many congregations in covenant with
each other, there have always been gay and straight, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender persons who
participate fully in the life and leadership of the church. It urges us to treat each other with gospel
hospitality as we seek to understand each other better.
(cont’d on page 4)
4
My deepest hope is that, in the coming weeks and months, with God’s help, we will continue in worship and
mission together even when we profoundly disagree – as we have so often done before – recognizing that it
is God’s covenant of love that binds us to God and to one another1 in Christ. My prayer is that together we
will continue to witness to God’s gift of reconciliation and wholeness before the brokenness of the world.
United though not uniform, diverse but not divided, let us name our differences, then claim our
common calling to be and to share the good news of Jesus Christ who came “that the world might be
saved”. (John 3:17)
Your sister in Christ,
The Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada
1 The Preamble to the Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
TRUSTEES
Trustees have scheduled a Work Day for Saturday,
August 10, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. We plan to
work on several jobs within the building including
tasks for return start-up of Sunday School classes
and Village Montessori for the fall, sort and repair
mental folding chairs for Fellowship Hall, and
insulate around windows and air conditioners to save
energy. There are needs outside also, including
pickup of limbs and debris and preparing the
grounds for the Art Festival taking place the
following week.
As always, we welcome
volunteers. It is a great way to spend part of a
Saturday and get to know fellow members and
families.
We are working on tasks related to the Special
Projects approved by the congregation at the June
meeting. A new water heater should be installed
before mid-August and repairs to nursery restroom
will take place sometime this fall. We also plan to
have the floors in the nursery and choir room
stripped and waxed prior to end of August. In
addition, we will be working with June Salyer to
renew our Green Chalice certification this year as
part of Woodland’s sustainability initiatives.
We have good news to share with the congregation.
Everyone remembers we had the front porch
demolished and reconstructed this past fall. Since
Woodland is part of the historic district, we were
eligible to apply for a tax credit with the Kentucky
Heritage Council to help with the expenses.
Trustees completed and submitted the application to
KHC this spring and the church received an award
letter earlier this month with an approximate net
value of $2,600 from the state.
Finally, we welcome Jon Clay to the Trustees team.
Jon and his family joined Woodland earlier this
spring and we appreciate his eager involvement.
Welcome Jon! – Craig Locke
OPEN CIRCLE
At our regular meeting on August 7 at 2:00pm, Open
Circle will continue the study of the travels and lives
of the Hebrew people around the time of Moses.
There is also a part of the information and study that
is about immigration and various forms of human
slavery today. It is all quite interesting. Our
resource is the “Just Women” magazine Bible study
issue. Come and join us for good fellowship and
interesting reflections. – Jackie Diachun
BOARD AND CABINET RETREAT
PLANNING MEETING –
AUGUST 24
Board and Cabinet members will come together on
Saturday, August 24 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at
Walnut Hill Church, 575 Walnut Hill Road,
Lexington.
5
JOY LOOKS FOR BLUEBIRD
On August 21, JOY group is going to Stanford to
have lunch at the Bluebird Café. There will also be
a stop at the local drugstore to meet friends of
Margaret Ryle who are the owners. Margaret and
her husband, Elmore, once served a church in
Stanford so she can share some stories about the
town with us. Bluebird Café uses local ingredients
as much as possible and is interested in caring for
the earth. We also may do some sightseeing on the
way to and from.
Meet at Woodland at 10:00am to join the group. We
will return by 3:30pm. Please indicate if you will be
joining us on a pew card or tell Del Osborne or
Jackie Diachun. – Jackie Diachun
GREEN CHALICE NEWS!
NEW DEACONS
The diaconate is excited to welcome five new
deacons: Rachael Deel, Mark Johnson, Kaylen
McCullough, Donna Redmon, and Emily Taylor. A
special thanks goes out to Donna, who has been
serving in this role in an interim basis since March.
(She is becoming an expert at the interim thing
around here!)
Also many thanks to our outgoing deacons: Keisa
Bennett, Jimmy Owens, and June Salyer, who
finished three years of service, as well as Michael
Wells, who completed two years of service and was
elected to be an Elder along with Jimmy. Congrats!
to both of them.
The diaconate received and refreshed his or her
training on July 28, so everyone is ready to serve. –
Keisa Bennett
DID YOU KNOW?
- Woodland recyclers kept over 5 pounds
of plastic out of landfills during May and
June. Thanks to Craig Locke for keeping
the bins from over flowing for these weeks. We are
accepting Rechargeable Batteries ONLY.
- According to studies by the University of Arizona
and Loma Linda University, 97% of consumers
never wash their re-useable shopping bags. These
bags can be safely washed and air-dried. To avoid
cross-contamination researchers advise using each
bag for a separate purpose. Woodland bags are
available for $2.00 each. Contact Craig Locke,
Jannine Baker, or June Salyer to purchase.
- Faith Feeds/Glean KY is an organization that helps
alleviate hunger in the Bluegrass. Gleaning connects
people who grow fruits and vegetables with people
who pick up and deliver the produce to churches,
organizations, and neighborhoods where the food is
distributed to families in need.
For more
information, go to www.faithfeedslex.org. - June
Salyer
2013 PRIDE
FESTIVAL
Putting
the
“we
welcome all” feeling
out there in the
community is what we
did on Saturday, June
29 for this year’s
Lexington
Pride
Festival. This is the
third consecutive year for Woodland having a booth
at this annual event. We gave away over 12 gallons
of ice cold water, candy for the humans and treats
(and water) for our four-legged friends. The
increased number of folks stopping by our booth to
ask questions (and some left with a Woodland
brochure) surprised us.
Despite the HOT
temperatures, it was very rewarding to be part of
this ministry.
A BIG ‘THANK YOU’ goes to our volunteers
John Forbes, Jackie Diachun, Donna Redmon, Ed
Truax, Beth Parrent, Cheryl Wyatt, George Pinson,
Mark Barker, Dalene Vasbinder, Ken McCullough,
and Jimmy Owens. We hope that this ministry will
continue to show everyone that there is a place for
everyone at Woodland Christian Church – Jimmy
Owens
6
WHO’S IN THE
PEWS
Nancy McKenney
themselves and prayerfully make up their own minds
about issues. She greatly values the church’s
emphasis on reaching out to those in need through
members’ support of Habitat for Humanity, God’s
Pantry, and the HOPE Center. Most of all, she loves
the way Woodland functions as an extended family
and provides opportunities for people who are
younger or newer to the faith to learn from the lives
and deeds of respected, beloved senior members of
the congregation.
Nancy came to Woodland in
1975 as a U.K. graduate
student in library science.
She was seeking a church,
having been a Disciple of
Christ since childhood. Her
parents, Mabel Gumm McKenney (died in 2007), and We are grateful for Nancy, her gifts, and support.
her father, Bill McKenney, who lives in Richmond,
Kentucky, suggested she visit Woodland. She did
WOODLAND’S E-ADDRESSES
and very much-liked sermons by Rev. Ray Cameron
and the music program led by organist/choir director
Dalene: [email protected]
Ann Smith. Nancy was a student member until 1977
Linda: [email protected]
when she moved to Campbellsville, Kentucky to
Joanna: [email protected]
work as librarian at Campbellsville College.
Ainsley: [email protected]
Returning to Lexington in 1981, she worked on a
Youth: [email protected]
masters and a Ph.D. in musicology at U.K. She has
Finance: [email protected]
been a member of Woodland every since then.
Parking: [email protected]
Art Festival: [email protected]
Nancy is an elder and choir member. She served on
the diaconate, the board, and as a member of the
Birthday Cupcakes
Music, Outreach, and Worship committees. She feels
she is living a triple life: librarian by day and
Will follow worship on Sunday August 4. Come
performing musician and social activist nights and
and join us to sing “Happy Birthday” to:
weekends. She has been a librarian at EKU since
Betsy Rains, 8/3
1985. She is principal cellist in the Lexington
Janice James, 8/10
Community Orchestra and also plays for weddings
Izzy Karrick, 8/10
and church services. For 10 years, she has been
Kacey Ball, 8/13
president of Central Kentucky Chapter of the Million
Bob
McFalls, 8/14
Mom March, a nationwide organization working for
Rhonda Greer, 8/14
stronger gun laws to protect children. She is also
Margaret
Ryle, 8/14
active in the American Association of University
Erin Spring, 8/14
Professors (AAUP) and was recently elected to their
Jackson Stocker, 8/15
national council. She is completing a four-year term
Trish Stover, 8/17
as the Faculty Representative to the Kentucky
Katherine Ladd, 8/18
Council on Postsecondary Education, having been
Clay Rains, 8/18
appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear in September 2009.
Ed Truax, 8/19
Ben
Rains, 8/21
Nancy has three furry friends: Paula, an adopted
Dave Woods, 8/22
Sheltie-mix; Penelope, a streetwise black cat, and
Phyllis
Crume, 8/29
Fiona, a 3-legged tabby cat. She appreciates the
Ellen Riggle, 8/29
unconditional love and faithfulness of her pets.
Dave Carr, 8/31
Mollie Stocker, 8/31
Nancy has always appreciated Woodland as a place
Scott Stocker, 8/31
where people are welcomed, loved, and accepted as
they are and members are encouraged to think for