THE COMMUNICATOR July 1, 2014 - Columbia United Church of

Columbia United Church of Christ
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July 1, 2014
In the days since my vacation ended, I’ve been doing a fair bit of reading – magazine articles, online newsletters, a
variety of things that piled up while I was gone.
A common theme in many articles is church vitality – are we stale and stagnant? how do we revitalize our common
life? what are characteristics of “vital” churches? what does the future of Christianity look like?
And I realized those sorts of ideas fit with a back-from-vacation mindset. After a long winter and spring, I needed
some renewal – physically and mentally. Fortunately, I think I got it!
But now my mind is looking ahead. Where are we going? Where SHOULD we be going? What does that look
like? What will it take to get there?
And yes, some of this is in the hands of our Visioning Committee. To remind you, we are John Bracke, Sam
Giroux, Harold Hackman, Megan Hall, Lauren Helmreich, Matt Lucas, Val Schoeneberg, Tom Schupp, Mahree
Skala, Andrea Waner, and me.
But you also have a role in this – each one of you, and all of us together. Of course, the first part of our process
actively involved around 100 church members of all ages, sharing ideas for our future and identifying priorities.
But that’s not nearly the end! A “vital” church is the product of everyone’s work, not just the pastor’s or the Church
Council’s.
Recently, Rev. Nicole Reilley posted “Six Things Holding Churches Back” online; she’s the Director of New
Ministries for the United Methodist Church in California. Here’s her list, with some quick comments from me.
1. “We have to decide things need to change and we are the people to do it.” In a changing world – and it is –
staying the same means getting left out and left behind. Addressing the “I wish X was better” means changing
things.
2. “We have to be disciples who have active faith practices.” Passive listening isn’t faith, occasional attention isn’t
following, and “feelings” aren’t doing ministry.
3. “We have to get past our personal preferences.” Making disciples – a command of Jesus – isn’t about making
ourselves happy; it’s about responding to those who aren’t already here. So, what do THEY need, and how do they
need it?
4. “We have to spend money.” Whether it’s advertising or fixing up our facilities or hiring staff to lead the
programs we want, there’s a financial cost. If we don’t pay it, we won’t get results. But if our church is as
important as we say, won’t we want to make the financial commitment?
5. “The future of leadership is partnership between laity and clergy.” It’s about sharing, really. We have a good
history of lay leadership, but how do we expand the pool and stop simply recycling the same folks? Part of it
involves supporting new leaders’ new ideas….
6. “You need to stay focused.” It’s easy to get lost in the demands of daily life, or sidetracked by what some other
church (even us, in our past) is doing. Once we set a goal, it’s important to keep with it, and to let go of things that
don’t contribute to it.
So, what’s ahead for us? Once we settle on a Vision Statement, I’m going to spend several weeks preaching about
what it means, and where it sends us.
Until then, I’ll be focusing on some basics of the Christian faith that will give our vision a strong foundation. Join
me this summer, and let’s get “vital”!
In hope,
Rev. Steve Swope
3201 I-70 Dr. NW • Columbia, MO 65202-3296 • 573-445-7931 • [email protected] • www.columbiaucc.com
In Our Church Family
Congratulations to
Columbia
United Church of Christ
3201 I-70 Drive NW
Columbia, MO 65202
Reverend Steve Swope
Minister
Brie Berhorst and Kyle Lasley who were married on Saturday, June 21,
2014 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Wardsville, MO. Proud parents
are Chuck and Audrey Lasley, and Brian and Julie Berhorst.
Our Sympathy to
Tim and Jo Ellen Grace as Tim’s twin brother, Jim, passed away June 18,
2014. The funeral service was held, Monday, June 23rd, at the
Houser-Millard funeral home in Jefferson City, MO.
In honor of
Jolene Hackman
Music Coordinator
Larry Noxon, by Julia Marsh to the Youth Fund
Brad Boyd-Kennedy
Coordinator of CE
and Family Ministry
TREASURER’S REPORT
Brent Marcks,
Recording Treasurer
Valerie Schoeneberg
Director, Little One’s Day Out
Lloyd Viehland
Building Monitor
Marcy Wedemeyer
Office Coordinator
Sarah Wilson
Date
Attendance
Actual
Budget
6/15/14
75
3,797.00
5,753.39
6/22/14
73
2,991.00
5,753.39
Financial Secretary
Directory Updates
Worship Schedule:
SUNDAY
8:05 a.m. Informal
Worship - in Sanctuary
9:00 a.m. - Adult Bible
Study
10:30 a.m. Worship in
Sanctuary
Everyone is
welcome!
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
After hours, please leave a voice
message
(573)-445-7931
or email us at
[email protected]
Lloyd Viehland has moved
to new address:
1203 London Drive
Columbia, MO 65203
Ph. #289-2920
I want to thank
everyone for all
the cards, meals,
prayers, and wishes for my recovery
from knee replacement surgery. I was
so encouraged and lifted up by all of
them that my recovery is ahead of
schedule.
Columbia UCC is indeed a faith
community composed of people ready
to lend a helping hand at any time.
Blessings to all of you,
Sue Beckman
The Communicator page 2
The cards are wonderful; a
special thanks to Freddie
Malicoat for the
walker w/tray!
More treatments lie ahead,
and your prayers continue to
be appreciated. We are
sharing a lovely plant with
you - please notice next
time you’re in the church!
Lloyd has placed it in the
Library.
Sincerely,
Darlene Schroeder
OUTREACH/MISSION MINISTRY
LOAVES and
FISHES
FOOD BANK NEWS
Dedicated CUCC volunteers worked at the Food
Bank on June 10, packaging 3,900 pounds of cream
cheese frosting for distribution at food pantries.
Volunteers are very scarce during the summer
months, so we were almost the only ones there.
Please come join the fun, fellowship and good work
next month, July 8 at 5:30 (or as soon as you can get
there). June volunteers were:
Cliff Beckman
Cindy Deegan
Bill and Helen Graves
Audrey Lasley
David Martin
Alice Moon
Lois Provin
Hal and Melba Shaffer
Mahree Skala
Neal Sprick
Dorothy Vetter
Lloyd Viehland
The June 16th Loaves &
Fishes fed over 70 guests,
with as many as 20 carryouts. Our menu was pulled-pork sandwich, baked
beans, tossed salad and cherry-pineapple dump cake.
We appreciated some new helpers along with the
faithful veterans that were able to meet that evening’s
needs. Cooks were: Dorothy Kyger, Judi Privitt,
Marcy Wedemeyer, Jane Duncan, Jan Barry, Audrey
Lasley and Alice Moon.
Servers were, Patti Beeson, Judi Privitt, Cindy
Deegan, Donna Marsh, and Isis Piersee. Larry
Noxon was blessed with a “drop-in” named Donald
who was a huge help with dishwashing.
Thank you so much to all who worked so hard!
Mahree Skala, Reporting
Alice Moon
“Christmas in July” Special Offering Remembering Those Who Serve Our Church
This special offering provides financial aid to retired and active ministers and their
surviving spouses and children who face overwhelming financial demands, a ministry
carried out by the United Church of Christ Pension Boards.
"It wasn’t easy picking up the telephone to share with you my present situation. In fact it was one of the most
humiliating experiences of my life although it reminded me that grace still happens. Sometimes we as clergy
persons lose sight of God’s grace when the negative stuff comes into our lives."
"…thanks so much for sharing
your time and ministry with me. Your most gracious gift is appreciated more than words can say as I continue to
live in the 'meantime.' "
These eloquent words are from a pastor who was the recipient of the caring and concern of those who contribute
to the Christmas Fund Offering. Your gift to the Christmas Fund will not only assist pastors like the one above,
but also provide for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums, Emergency
Grants, and provide Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks this December to low-income retirees.
Your gifts are
needed more than ever to help the growing number of retirees whose low-income annuities make it difficult to
meet increasing living costs. This is your opportunity to participate in God's promise of renewal by enabling this
ministry of compassion and care.
We invite you to join this vital ministry that touches the lives of so many. Your gift during July can and will make
a difference.
Mahree Skala
The Communicator page 3
Columbia United Church of Christ
2014 Vacation Bible School
July 14-18, 5:45 pm-8:15 pm
Enrollment Form
Please complete the enrollment form to register your child for Workshop of Wonders and
drop it in the box in the Gathering Area or mail to: ATTN: VBS, Columbia United
Church of Christ, 3201 I-70 Drive NW, Columbia, MO 65203
Parent(s)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address ________________________________________________City __________________________
State ____________ Zip _____________ Email Address _____________________________________________
Home Phone # ________________________ Additional Contact #s ____________________________________
Emergency Contact (not a parent) ______________________________ Emergency phone # ________________
Children Attending VBS
Name _______________________________________________ Last Grade Completed (or DOB) ____________
Name _______________________________________________ Last Grade Completed (or DOB) ____________
Name _______________________________________________ Last Grade Completed (or DOB) ____________
Name _______________________________________________ Last Grade Completed (or DOB) ____________
In the event of an emergency, I give permission for my child to be treated by an accredited physician in an emergency clinic or hospital. I
therefore designate leadership of the group with the authority to act on my behalf and order appropriate treatment including but not limited
to injections, anesthesia, or surgery for my child. I accept responsibility for payment of all expenses incurred as a result of medical
treatment. (Every effort will be made to contact the child’s parents or legal guardian.) I further release from any liability Columbia United
Church of Christ and the adult leaders in the event of any accident during the activity of this bible school.
Parent(s) Signature ___________________________________________________________ Date ___________________
_____ YES!, We want to bring a friend! Please send an enrollment form to:
Parent’s Name(s) _____________________________________________________________________________
Child(ren)’s Name(s) __________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address _____________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________________ State _________________
(Attach additional names and addresses to this form on another piece of paper)
Zip ________________
_____ YES!, Please reserve the following brown bag dinner(s) for my child(ren): [dinner at 5:15 pm]
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
# of bags:
______
______
______
______
______
Total # of Dinners = ______ x $2.00 each = $______ amount enclosed.
The Communicator page 4
Fellowship News:
Next Fellowship Committee Meeting: Sunday July 13th,
9:30AM before service
Next Event:
Muppets, Munchkins, and Munchies
Join us for our first ever
CUCC Outdoor Movie
Featuring The Muppets
Saturday, July 26th, 9PM out by the
Shelter House
Bring blankets, chairs, snacks, and drinks
of choice, Popcorn and Water will be
available.
For inclement weather we will move
inside.
Women’s Circle Update:
The first Women’s Circle event was held on
June 25th in the Fellowship Hall. Although
the group was small, we had a wonderful
time racking our brains and scouring our
Bibles for Bible Trivia while enjoying a
lovely potluck dinner.
Grab a friend and join us for:
Bunco, Bacon, and Brownies
Tuesday, August 5th
7:00PM Fellowship Hall
Bring your favorite Bacon-inspired appetizer/dish
(or whatever you want to share), or favorite
Brownie/Dessert. Beverages and service-ware will
be provided.
It will be a great time for fun, laughter and
building relationships with women from CUCC,
and others as well.
Missouri Mid-South Conference
Annual Gathering
Our UCC Conference met in Annual Gathering
June 12-14 in Jefferson City, and Columbia UCC
was well-represented. Judi Privitt served the
meeting as secretary, her last official duty in this
service for Conference Council.
Jim & Rayla Hogue and Sarah McGrath
provided music, sometimes with the Oikos
Ensemble, for Saturday’s meeting and worship;
they were very well received!
At a small-group lunch on Saturday, Christina
Kakozi shared her family’s 16-year-long journey
from the Congo to Columbia. Those who heard
her were moved and had many questions.
Thanks to:
 Christina for her willingness to tell their
story,
 Brad Boyd-Kennedy for driving the Kakozi
family to Jefferson City,
 Jim & Rayla and Sarah for music (and the
good publicity they gave us!),
 Judi for representing not only us but the
Western Association on our Conference
Council,
 and Bruce Edwards and Lloyd Viehland
(along with Judi) for serving as our delegates
to Annual Gathering!
LODO Happenings
Summer Session has been an amazing success.
We have 100% enrollment for our summer
program, which has made for lots of fun and
excitement in the LODO Halls.
Our last day of Summer Session is July 2nd, but
that doesn’t mean work for LODO won’t be
happening. Summer Projects that will be going
on during our “time off” include the blind
installations, removal and installation of floor in
one of our classrooms, and building a data base
for our LODO Library.
We are super excited for starting up in
September. Our enrollment is currently 92.6%
with waitlists for three out of four classrooms.
It’s going to be a fun year!
With love and laughter, Val Schoeneberg-LODO
Director
The Communicator page 5
THE COMMUNICATOR
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
Columbia United Church of Christ
3201 I-70 Dr. NW
Columbia, MO 65202-3296
573-445-7931
PAID
Columbia, MO
Permit No. 74
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
The Communicator is a publication of the Columbia United
Church of Christ. The stated purpose is to keep the
congregation and our friends in touch with the organizations
and events of the church. It is published twice each month,
except January. The deadline for articles is the 5th and 20th
of each month.
Men’s CUCC Summer Softball
Schedule
All Games are played at Rainbow
Softball Center in Cosmo Park - 1615
Business Loop 70 W.
Date
Time
Field
July 3rd
6:00 pm
Orange Field
July 10th
9:00 pm
Purple Field
July 17th
6:00 pm
Red Field
July 24th
7:00 pm
Green Field
July 31st
8:00 pm
Orange Field
August 7th
7:00 pm
Purple Field
August 14th
9:00 pm
Red Field
JOB OPENING
Columbia United Church of Christ has an opening
for the Financial Secretary position. Resumes will be
accepted until 4:00 p.m. July 11th. Resumes should
be delivered to the CUCC office in a sealed envelope
and put in the Vice President's mailbox. The
position pays $500 per month and takes an average
of 7-10 hours of work per week. Accounting and
Quick Books experience is preferred. A copy of this
job description is available in the church office.
The Communicator page 6
Anita Sanderson
Vice President