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