Get documents about "IMMANUEL-IMAGES-October-2012
Document Sample
IMMANUEL IMAGES October 2012
October Worship Schedule
Sunday mornings – the heard of our life together
9:15 Nursery Care begins (infants – age 5) and
9:15 Choir Practice in Sanctuary
10:00 Worship for all ages
10:15 Kid’s Program (grades Pre K – 9)
11:00 Refreshments and Fellowship Time
October 7 – The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - World Communion
We join Christians around the world in this annual celebration of World Communion
Sunday. Children age 6 and older will stay with us for this family-oriented service,
which includes a story-sermon by Pastor Anne and celebration of Communion.
Scripture passages include Job 1:1 and 2:1-10; Psalm 26 and Mark 10:2-16. No
children/youth programming this morning; nursery for 5 and under.
October 14 – The 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Bible Sunday
We focus on Holy Scripture in our tradition and lives on this day, by inviting worshippers
to bring a copy of a family or personal Bible to grace our Sanctuary Altar. We will
present a copy of an illustrated children’s Bible to each of our third graders. Scripture
passages include Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Psalm 22:1-15 and Mark 10:17-31. Pastor Anne
preaching.
October 21 – The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Baptisms
We will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism of Lorna Seymour and Corey Ashton.
Scripture passages include Job 38:1-10; Psalm 104:1-9 and Mark 10:35-45. Pastor
Anne preaching.
October 28 – Reformation Sunday and Goodbyes
We will explore how the Protestant Reformation idea of “the church reformed, and
always re-forming” has guided our interim time together. Pastor Anne and the
congregation will share in a “Litany of Thanksgiving and Farewell,” as she concludes
her interim ministry with us. Scripture passages include Job 42:1-6, 10-17;
Psalm 34:1-8 and Mark 10:46-52. Please plan to stay for a special Coffee Hour in
Pastor Anne’s honor following worship.
-1-
FROM THE INTERIM PASTOR The Rev. Anne Swallow Gillis
The Vision of where Immanuel is headed: To be an open-hearted church,
empowering people to serve God and the community.
The Mission Plan that will get Immanuel there: We seek to offer a contagious
Christianity that transforms both our members and the wider community.
Nourished by heart-felt worship for all ages, relevant teaching and fervent
prayer, we open our doors to all and reach out to those in need.
Our time together as interim pastor and congregation is coming to a close. This
was part of our agreement when I was hired in August 2010, although it is difficult to
end our ministries together and say goodbye. During the worship service on Sunday
October 28, we will be asked to join in a “Litany of Thanksgiving and Farewell.” We will
release one another from our commitment and obligations as pastor and people,
offering gratitude, expressing forgiveness and sending each other forth into the
unknown future. I will no longer be your interim pastor and teacher. The following week,
my husband Chris and I will load a U-Haul truck and journey across the Bay to northern
Virginia. There, in the Washington DC suburb of Vienna, I will begin interim ministry
with Emmaus United Church of Christ, as they seek to discover what God is calling
them to do next.
Your welcome of me, your trust in me and your willingness to try new ways of
being church together have been a joy. I have sought to share the truth of the Gospel
with you, as I understand it, with honesty and compassion. Your openness and
feedback about my sermons and leadership style has been much appreciated,
especially the times we disagreed but we kept talking! Since pastors are unable to read
people’s minds, and hearing things “third hand” seldom helps, I hope you continue this
spirit of open communication with your new settled pastor. I am grateful for the
collaborative and dedicated ways the Church Council has worked with me, as we have
explored new ways of “being church” together in this 21st century. I have pushed you as
a congregation and you have pushed me as your pastor; we have each grown in a
number of unexpected ways.
You all have really worked hard during this interim period! We filled Fellowship
Hall with groups discussing the “blessings and challenges” of Immanuel history, many of
you gathered in more small discussion groups to explore the future of Immanuel, and
the Church Council took your input and clarified the Vision of where you are going as a
church and the Mission Statement that is guiding you there. You are experimenting with
new ways of doing faith formation for all ages and new styles of worshipping together.
Your community outreach and mission giving remains strong and steady, while you
continue to whittle away at your mortgage. Our worship life together has both
deepened and widened, with such a rich variety of music and the addition of new
liturgies, and continue to be the heart of all we do together.
-2-
We do not yet know who your new settled pastor will be, and your Pastoral
Search Committee continues its diligent work of interviewing possible candidates. Pray
for your new pastor and teacher, whoever he or she might be. Ask God how you might
be more fully involved in his or her first year at Immanuel. Be willing to share your
expectations and hopes with the new pastor. Take time to tell this new pastor about
where you see God working in your lives and in this church. Tell your new pastor about
the ways God seeks to transform and challenge this congregation next. Each of you
have insight to share; your new pastor will need to hear from all of you. May God bless
you as your ministries unfold together!
With gratefulness for our ministries together,
Anne
OUR PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Committee includes Bill Malkus (co-chair), Jack Breil (co-chair), Susie
Creighton (chaplain), Leslie Tolley (clerk), Tammy Luthy, Keith Malkus and
Scott Dodson.
The Pastoral Search Committee (PSC) continues to work diligently and prayerfully to
interview candidates for our pastoral position. We have been very gratified to find a high level of
interest in Immanuel. If you recall, we have a very brief (about 60 words) description of
Immanuel posted on a national United Church of Christ website for all pastors to review. Based
upon this, they decide to send their profile to us for our review and consideration.
To date, we have received profiles from approximately 35 candidates covering a wide
range of experience, background and theological beliefs. From that group we, as a
committee, have read and openly discussed each candidate to see how they could relate to our
church and it's members. Based on this review, we have sent our church profile to 8 pastors.
After a prayerful review, several found that our church may not be suited for them and
asked to withdraw their profile. The candidates’ reasons ranged from location (too rural),
differences in approaches to various social justice issues, to theological beliefs. This is what
makes our denomination unique as we are open to a wide range of beliefs and ideas, but also
makes our responsibilities as a search committee challenging. We want to find the person who
will bond with us, lead us and challenge us in our beliefs and in our everyday lives. The PSC
has also ruled out several candidates after a telephone interview with them.
At this time we are communicating with 3 candidates at various stages of the
discernment process, and we continue to receive new profiles for consideration. We are
blessed to see that many pastors see Immanuel as a church where they would like to continue
their spiritual journey and ministry.
The PSC is focused on finding that person for IUCC with God's guidance.
We ask for your continued prayers in support of this process.
-Jack Briel, Co-Chair
Almighty and Gracious God, we ask for your guidance of the Pastoral Search Committee and
our congregation throughout the process of seeking a settled pastor for Immanuel. Grant all of
us courage, patience and trust during this in-between time. May your discerning will become
known to us as we look forward to the days ahead. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
-3-
UPDATE FROM PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
THE PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE met September 25. We reflected
on experiences we've shared with Pastor Anne during her ministry with us as Interim
Pastor. The group shared ideas about communicating expectations with the new
Pastor upon his or her arrival. The committee will keep you updated with our
progress as we face new and exciting challenges. – Kim Bair, Chair
(Committee also includes Keith Malkus, Pat Creighton and Helen Krom)
NEW SUNDAY PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
During September, we have been experimenting with new ways to help young people
embrace and practice the Christian faith. It is increasingly clear that faith is much better
“caught” than “taught.” Old methods and times for doing Christian Education are not working in
many churches these days. We are finding that kids need caring grown-ups who can share
their own experience with God. Kids need interesting and engaging settings in which to explore
their own spiritual lives. It no longer works to simply fill a kid’s head full of Bible facts. Young
people need to be drawn into the full life of the church, in its worship, outreach projects,
mentoring younger kids, and fellowship activities. Faith formation happens in all of these
settings, as kids connect with loving adults who are following Jesus in the day to day.
Your Christian Education Board is working hard to support our young families in the faith
formation of their kids, first by changing the time of our programming. The heart of faith
formation is happening when we gather during the worship hour. “Sunday School” at 9:00
am has been discontinued. Kids continue to join us for the first part of worship and then leave
for age-appropriate activities as follows. The first Sunday of the month, on Communion Sunday,
kids stay with us the whole hour. The pastor presents a story-sermon for ages and the whole
worship service is somewhat simplified.
Nursery: The doors open at 9:15 am each Sunday morning, with our staff person
Stephanie Dixon greeting the littlest ones and their parents/grandparents. She is assisted by
another leader who arrives at 10:00 am, and together they share a simple program that helps
our youngest. The children learn simple Biblical concepts about God’s love for them, the
wonder of the natural world, and becoming a friend of Jesus.
Kid’s Bible Exploration in the Story Tent: If you haven’t seen the fantastic tent
constructed by Tammy Luthy and Susie Creighton, be sure to wander down to the end of the
hall for a look! Each Sunday, kids ages prekindergarten through 5th grade, gather to hear a
Bible story. They then “tell” the story to one another by dramatizing the story with costumes and
dialogue. They share their weekly “highs” and “lows” with one another and close by praying for
each other around the circle.
A big thank-you to Tammy and Garrett Luthy, Robin Moore and Mitch Simmons,
and Donna and Andrew Schnoor who have been our Story-Tellers so far!
Youth grades 6-9 have had two initial gatherings, with Debbie Robbins, Roger Segar,
Danny Luthy and Cassie Burton helping as mentors. They are planning to meet several times a
month on Sunday mornings, and they get together for discussion, fun, and service projects each
month. They are looking for a few more adults to help out as a group of Youth Leader/Mentors.
Speak with me if you can be available for them. –Anne Swallow Gillis
-4-
MISSION UPDATES
NEIGHBORS IN NEED OFFERING, which supports the UCC’s ministries of
justice and compassion throughout the United States will be received on Sunday,
September 30. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness
Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts,
and direct service projects. Neighbors in Need helps make another world possible.
MISSION BREAKFAST will be held on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 8:30a.m.
Our Missions Committee has been working on plans for our annual event to raise funds
for our Special Benevolence Fund. More information will be provided in the November
newsletter.
FELLOWSHIP AND FUND-RAISING
OKTOBERFEST, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2012 4:30 – 8:00p.m.
Join in the fun and enjoy some truly German cuisine at Immanuel
United Church of Christ. The menu will be Potato Leak Soup,
Sauerbraten, Bratwurst, German Potato Salad, Mashed Potatoes &
Gravy, Sauerkraut, Red Cabbage with Apples, Green Beans,
Assorted Breads and Beverage. Desserts will be available for
purchase.
You may purchase either individual dinner tickets or a
corporate package of tickets. See Ray Shelly after church for tickets
or contact him at 410-726-4200.
The success of this church and community event depends on the support,
donations and hard work of many people. Sign-up sheets are available in the Narthex
for your area of expertise.
Deana Kozak and Beverly Shelly, Chairs
HOLIDAY BAZAAR – NOVEMBER 17, 2012.
The holidays are not that far away and plans
are being made for our Holiday Bazaar. If you
are thinking about “Fall House Cleaning”, that
would be a great time to set aside holiday
related items for our sale – all items must be in
good condition. Homemade crafts and canned
goods will be welcomed additions to our sale,
however, no clothes. As always, we will have our chicken salad, soups and baked
goods, in addition to our “Country Store”. We will need helpers and sign-up sheets will
be placed in the Narthex. Please mark this date on your calendars and come out to
either help or support our bazaar. If you have any questions, please call Diane Murphy
410-228-5167.
-5-
SHOVELING FOR THE LORD
After a long hot summer, the Grounds Committee has refurbished
the perimeter of the church grounds and flower garden with a fresh load of
quarry stone. Thanks to our “shovelers” Jason Segar, C. R. Newman, Mark
Kozak, Jaden Kozak, Evan Kozak, Beverly Shelly and Extra BIG Thanks to
Keith Malkus for the many hours of preparation work he did before the arrival of the
stone. Deana Kozak and Beverly Shelly will be adding a few perennials to the front
area before the cold weather arrives.
Another BIG Thanks goes to Dennis Jones and Denny Jones for the well-
manicured lawns that surround our beautiful church.
Keith Malkus is also surveying the parsonage surroundings for possible shrub
replacement and upgrading.
We are truly blessed with hard working parishioners.
(Please note the lovely “Beauty-Berry” bush at the entrance to the Narthex)
GARDENING AWARDS
At the summer meeting of the Dorchester Garden Club, Beverly Shelly
was first recipient of the Lednum Silver Trophy. This yearly rotating award is
given to the member who has accumulated the most points in horticulture
awards during the 2011-2012 year.
At the National Daffodil Society Conference held in Towson, MD, Deana Kozak
and Beverly Shelly were two of the national award winners with our special daffodils.
This fall we are planning to utilize our knowledge to do additional bulb work in our
landscape design.
REDUCING COSTS
Do you have printer cartridges that you don’t just want to throw away? If so,
bring them to us and we will take them to Staples where we will receive a rebate
coupon for them to use toward purchasing office supplies…even equipment and
furniture. We can only redeem name brand cartridges, i.e. HP, Canon, Dell, Brother,
Epson, etc. NO XEROX or refilled cartridges. Drop them off on Sunday mornings or
anytime you are here.
FALL INDOOR CLEAN-UP
Saturday, October 13, 10am-12noon. In an effort to keep our church in tip-
top shape, the church council is proposing an indoor fall clean-up day to
tackle those cleaning jobs that aren't done on a weekly basis. So bring
your window cleaner & paper towels, home remedies for spots on carpets
and wax removal and join us in sprucing up the church. Please let us
know if there is anything you have noticed that needs some attention! For
more information, contact Claudia McDonald via email at
mcgingermud@aol.com.
-6-
MEMBERS & STAFF OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS
Member Birthdays Staff Anniversary
Christie Foxwell 10/3 The Rev. Anne Swallow & Chris Gillis 10/27
Paul Jackson 10/6
C. R. Newman 10/9
Leslie Tolley 10/12
Jarrett Ashton 10/12 October Birthdays (Continued)
Barbara Bailey 10/13 Leah Warfield 10/20
Max Schnoor, Jr. 10/13 Carole Segar 10/22
Amy Malkus 10/13 Natalee Lyons 10/23
Jack Dodson 10/15 Bette Adams 10/27
Robin Moore 10/18 John Dodson 10/30
Hannah McDonald 10/19 Danny Luthy 10/30
Susie Creighton 10/31
Your Staff
The Rev. Anne Swallow Gillis Interim Pastor
Janice Haller Church Secretary
J. Curtis White Choir Director/Organist
Lynne Breil Pianist
Lisa Dixon Custodian
Stephanie Dixon Nursery Care Provider
Your Church Council
Philip Jackson, President of Congregation
Scott Dodson - Vice President/Deacon Sherry Hoefer Elder
John Moore Deacon Claudia McDonald Elder
C. R. Newman Deacon Lynn Nossick Elder
Jock Luthy Deacon Vinson Spies Deacon
Pastoral Search Committee
Keith Malkus Leslie Tolley
Bill Malkus Jack Breil
Susie Creighton Scott Dodson
Tammy Luthy
Church Contact Information
Office Hours - Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Phone: 410-228-4640 FAX: 410-221-6419
E-mail: immanuelucc@bcctv.net
-7-
IMMANUEL PRAYER LIST: You are invited to remember these people in prayer
Members of Immanuel:
Grace Louise ADKINS, at Mallard Bay
Jackson BRADLEY, receiving chemotherapy for a brain tumor, son of
Brian & Jennifer Burton
Dorothy BURTON at home
Merilyn CUSICK, facing health challenges at home
Bill FOXWELL, facing health challenges
Bill GIESE, health issues
Frank HOGE, on-going health issues
Don RAE in his recent diagnosis of prostate cancer
Beverly SHELLY to have hip surgery in November
Marlene WALDIS, undergoing treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Friends of Immanuel Church:
Bill & Martha BECRAFT, cousin of Bev Shelly, health issues
Kim BROHAWN, granddaughter of Merilyn Cusick, facing MS
Kenny ELZEY, Julia Newman’s father, at Chesapeake Woods
Naomi LEWIS, great aunt of John Moore, at Seaford Center Nursing Home
T. J. & DeAnna MATOS, friends of Stacy Seymour, health issues
Darcy McCOLLISTER, uncle of Diane Murphy, health issues
The family of John & Barbara MURPHY, friends of the Bair Family, on the
death of their son, Greg Murphy
Alison PICKARD, friend of Lynne Browne & Terry Melius, terminal cancer
The Rev. Katharine RICE, former guest pastor at Immanuel, undergoing
cancer treatment
Carole SHERWOOD, friend of Bette Adams, dealing with rejection of lung
transplant and fibrosis
Dorothy UDOFF, Jay Book’s mother and Debi‘s mother-in-law, at
Heartfields Assisted Living in Easton
Janet WISE, sister of Joyce Wise, recovering from back surgery
Members and Friends Serving in Our Armed Forces:
Christopher ANTENEN, U. S. Air Force, flying jets over Afghanistan
Michael BRAMBLE, U. S. Army serving in Afghanistan, nephew of
Wallace Dodson and Joyce Malik
Blake TURNER, U.S. Marine Corp, nephew of Robin Moore, USA
Cody TURNER, U.S. Marine Corp, nephew of Robin Moore, USA
Kregory TYLER, U. S. Navy, serving on the aircraft carrier USS John Stennis,
grandson of Janice Haller and Don & Pat Creighton
Jimmy WINDSOR, U. S. Army, stationed in Georgia (USA)
-8-
ASSISTING DURING OCTOBER
Acolytes Nursery Assistants
Oct. 7 Jocelyn Spies Jen Burton
Oct. 14 Kari Tolley Marianna Spies
Oct. 21 Abby Spillman-Wise Kim Bair
Oct. 28 Robin Moore Courtney Travers
USHERS
Oct. 7 Charlotte & Chuck Hanson, D.J. Elzey, Roger Segar
Oct. 14 Charlotte & Lou Jones, Debi & Jay Book
Oct. 21 Philip Jackson, Diane & Jim Murphy, Frank Spillman
Oct. 28 Courtney Travers, Bill Bair, Pat Creighton, Patti Cannon
******************************
PREPARE FOR WINTER, NOW!
It is time to start thinking about
PRE-PAID FUEL FOR THE 2012 – 2013
HEATING SEASON GOAL: $7,500
Please make your check payable to Immanuel UCC
Memo – “Pre-Paid Fuel”
Could you help us warm the church? Thank you.
Join us for “Oktoberfest”
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Authentic German Dinner
starting at 4:30 p.m.
(See inside for more information)
