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United Church News
March 2002

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OC Home Page United Church News On Line
Feed My Lambs Opening Doors Returns in 2002 Clippings from OC Church Newsletters
Outdoor Ministries Schedules Golf Open Quilters and seamstresses needed at Prettyman Center Drawing Upon Their Faith
A Time Away--Retreat for Clergy and Christian Educators Called to Camp A Blanket Sunday Thank-you
Immanuel UCC Reaches Out to Its Neighbors in Need
    
 

                 Feed My Lambs

Article from United Church News, March 2002, page 1

Members of the First Community high school program, Take It to the Streets, share Thanksgiving dinner under an I-70 bridge with some of Columbus’ homeless people. Each Thursday evening, the young people and their adult leaders deliver food, blankets, warm clothing and other supplies to people living on the streets of Columbus.

"If somebody’s hungry, we give them something to eat. If somebody’s cold, we give them a blanket. If they need somebody to talk to or need a hug, we talk to them or give them a hug." This is how Jason Barger, Director of High School Ministry at First Community Church in Columbus, explains the philosophy behind Take It to the Streets, First Community’s mission program for high school youth.

Each Thursday evening, 25-30 young people gather at the church to pack up 80 meals from food prepared by an adult congregation member. Barger and about 15 of the youth drive downtown and deliver the meals to people living on the streets of Columbus.

Since most of the people the program helps live outside the shelter system–under bridges or in flimsy structures made from scraps–the group provides more than food. "In addition to meals each week, we take sleeping bags, blankets, hats, gloves, coats. We’ve taken them kerosene heaters, and we fill them with fuel each week. It has evolved from providing meals to helping them wherever we can," Barger said.

First Community’s program is an offshoot of the program by the same name founded in Columbus by the late Ada Martin. In 1998, Martin spoke to First Community’s young people and invited them to get involved.

The program’s philosophy comes directly from her. "I was inspired by Ada," said Barger. "One of the first things I remember her saying was, ‘If somebody’s hungry, we give them something to eat.’ There are many groups trying to help these people, but there are so many conditions placed on them…We have adopted Ada’s philosophy of helping by providing what is needed."

After Martin’s visit, "The kids got pretty excited about it," said Barger. "We accepted her invitation to come down to the streets and serve some meals with her. After I saw what it was all about, I started to think about making this a weekly mission, part of our high school program. With the excitement from the kids and leaders, we started doing it every Thursday night.

The First Community group started taking Thanksgiving dinner downtown two years ago. "The support we got from our congregation was amazing," said Barger, "not just from the kids but also from their families who wanted to come down to help and people who couldn’t be there but provided the cost of a meal for someone on Thanksgiving.

"Last year, we had more than 60 people from our church down there under the bridge. We had 80-100 homeless people join us for a nice buffet and a bonfire. We handed out sleeping bags and blankets and just shared Thanksgiving together."

At the beginning, some parents were concerned about their children’s safety. "And rightfully so," said Barger. "That’s why I only take down about 15 kids—for safety reasons—but also so it doesn’t seem like a sightseeing tour. There are certain areas of downtown where we’re more careful than others, but for the most part it’s been amazing to see how respectful people are. They don’t want anything to happen to us because we’re their friends and we care about them."

Sometimes Barger has to respond to people who ask how many people the program has helped to get off the streets or to those who believe that the assistance enables the homeless to stay on the streets.

"We consider our program a success when we help a homeless person take one small step. Success is providing a heater to someone who would have gone to sleep that night shivering from the cold. The program is a success when it gives someone a meal that they wouldn’t otherwise have. We have no expectations that we’re trying to put on their lives. We’re not trying to save these people or get them off the streets."

"Sometimes someone we know will get an apartment, but there are many people who have been on the streets ever since we started doing this. There aren’t too many stable things in these people’s lives, and to be one of those stable things – they can count on us being there every Thursday night – is really a privilege."

Another way to look at the program’s success is the effect it has on First Community’s young people. "The relationships we’ve built over the years with some of the people on the street are profound," said Barger. "The kids we’re dealing with at this church – primarily suburban, well-off kids from Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Dublin – don’t see homeless people in their communities. Now they do. It has changed their perspective on life to see that the whole world doesn’t live as we do, that even people fifteen minutes down the road are living like this."

Gavin Howe, a First Community member who was a high school leader while his children were members of the group, agrees. "It is wonderful to see young people so heavily committed to such a great cause. They truly care for and look forward to visiting with a segment of society that is often overlooked. It is a side of young people that is not often shown in the media," Howe said.

Barger dreams of expanding Take It to the Streets to include other youth groups. "I know there are other churches and groups of kids that would benefit from this experience," he said. "I’ve realized that a tangible mission that the kids can feel and see and do is the kind of thing that gets them excited. These are experiences that the kids remember at the end of four years, things that let them put their faith into action."

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Clippings from Ohio Conference Church Newsletters

Article from United Church News, page 2, March 2002

Cross Creek Community Church UCC, Dayton will hold their Building Dedication and Fifth Anniversary on Sunday March 24th at 4:00 p.m. The Rev. Dr. John Thomas, UCC General Minister and President, will preach.

First Congregational Church, Columbus has been sponsoring a Couples Retreat weekend for fifteen years. This year’s retreat, called Romancing Your Valentine: Prayer, Humor, Affection, was held February 8-10 at Camp Co-Tu-Bic near Bellefontaine.

Four young people from St. John’s UCC, Archbold, attended a leadership conference for Christian youth on January 11-12, sponsored by Cedarville University in Dayton. Ashley Beck, Lindsay Cowell, Nick Ducey and Laura Johnson joined other youth at the two-day conference designed to strengthen their leadership skills and their personal walk with God.

Members of St. Paul UCC, Cincinnati, periodically visit the Veterans Hospital to play bingo and share home-baked goodies with the patients. Congregation members provide the refreshments, and the Women’s Fellowship group donates the funds used as prize money.

Columbus Grove UCC sponsored a day of programming on radio station WTGN on Ash Wednesday. The names of sponsors are mentioned many times during the day. Columbus Grove’s mission coordinators hope to reach out to the community in this way. Congregation members contributed to the $850 cost of the sponsorship.

The Sunday morning Bible Study class at Newbury United Community Church, Newbury spent the morning of January 20 at the Islamic Center of Cleveland, touring the mosque, observing the Sunday service, and talking with Imam Fawaz Damra.

Recent events in the Euclid Avenue UCC, Cleveland Arts in Ministry program include a Performance Workshop and liturgical dance performance in January, both by Michael Metcalf, founding director of the Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theater. On February 2, Leon Bibb, news anchor and orator, joined a chorale of readers for Art in Word – Liturgy and Langston.

North Congregational UCC, Columbus offered their congregation an Ash Wednesday Intergenerational Event. After a family potluck dinner, members separated for age-appropriate educational experiences, then came together for a worship service and the imposition of ashes.

Christ Church UCC, Ft. Thomas, Kentucky is carrying out a Thirty Pieces of Silver project during Lent. Members are provided cloth bags to collect thirty pieces of silver or another personal symbol of remembrance of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. On Palm Sunday and Easter, the children of the church will gather the bags of coins and place them on the altar. The funds will be used to help the children of Afghanistan.

Because of the generosity of so many, Washington UCC, Cincinnati was able to provide a complete Christmas to 100 families in their neighborhood, many gifts to an additional 55 families, plus over 200 food boxes and blankets for over 130 families. Washington’s congregation deeply appreciates the help of other UCC members and friends.

First Congregational UCC, Andover, put up a special Prayer Banner on Ash Wednesday and invited members and friends to post prayer requests there. As a community of faith, they will pray for each request, offering them to the care of God.

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Outdoor Ministries Schedules Golf Open

Article from United Church News, March 2002

The Ohio Conference Division of Outdoor Ministries has scheduled its second annual Golf Open for Saturday, June 1 at the Little Apple Club in Bellville, close to Templed Hills Camp and Conference Center. Golfers ages 13 through adult, and Golf Camp alumni, are invited to participate. Individuals and teams of two or four are welcome.

The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday. The cost is $75, which includes lodging the night before the Open at Templed Hills, breakfast at camp at 6:00 a.m., golf fees, and a donation to the summer camp Campership Fund. The cost is $50 for golfers who come from home on Saturday morning and meet the group at the golf course.

To register, contact Ohio Conference camp registrar Helen Schultz, 800-282-0740 or campregistrar@ocucc.org. If you email, please include your name, address, phone number and whether you will be staying overnight on Friday. Confirmation and directions will be mailed prior to the Open.

For information about the Open, contact Outdoor Ministries Open Coordinator, Rev. Mark Moore, revmarkmoore@hotmail.com.

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Opening Doors Returns in 2002

 Article from United Church News, March 2002

The Ohio Conference Spiritual Renewal Committee announces the return of its Opening Doors event in 2002. Please save the dates of October 25-27 when the committee will host Dr. Tilden Edwards as the retreat leader.

Dr. Edwards, an Episcopal priest, founded the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, Maryland. A widely known and well-respected author, he has written many books on spirituality, including Sabbath Time, Living in the Presence, Spiritual Friend, and Living Simply Through the Day. Watch for more information about this retreat, sure to be inspiring and Spirit-filled.

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Quilters and seamstresses needed at Prettyman Center

 Article from United Church News, March 2002

Five Amish-style quilts now grace the beds at the Prettyman Adult Center for Spiritual Nurture at Pilgrim Hills. They were all made by quilters of the Ohio Conference and provide beauty, warmth and a wonderful welcome to the Prettyman Center.

Now another sewing project is planned for Prettyman Center. On April 2, seamstresses and quilters are again invited to Pilgrim Hills to make a large wall hanging. The pattern and fabric have been purchased. People are needed who can do machine appliqué to create the twelve-block wall hanging.

The day will begin at 10 a.m. in Babcock Lounge at Pilgrim Hills and will conclude by 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Please call Janet in the Conference office (800-282-0740) to sign up for the event. Bring your sewing machine and plan to join us!

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Drawing Upon Their Faith
Article from United Church News, March 2002

Art is an important part of life at St. Paul UCC, which serves a diverse community on the edge of Columbus’ German Village. The painting above left is part of a mural in the church’s nursery created by congregation member Heidi Kamitsch. The painting above right is from The Senior/Junior High Youth Room. Since 1997, each person who comes to the youth group gets a piece of the wall to paint their own personal symbol of faith. See related story by Pastor Ed Miner below.
Paintings open congregation to presence of God

by Ed Miner, Pastor, St. Paul UCC, Columbus

Colorful Creator, God of Mercy, thank you for the artist teaching us to see glimpses of the meaning of the commonplace, visions of the Holy in each human face. -- from Colorful Creator, by Ruth Duck.

Art can open us to visions of life, community and God in ways that nothing else can. That is why paintings have become important at St. Paul UCC in Columbus.

The nursery at St. Paul is decorated with a large mural of a tree, a park bench, flowers and, of course, children. Heidi Kamitsch, a St. Paul member and graduate of Columbus College of Art and Design, created the mural.

The Senior/Junior High Youth Room has its share of painting, too. Since 1997, each person who comes to the youth group gets a piece of the wall to paint their own personal symbol of faith. The symbols touch on themes of community, hope, peace, the environment, suffering. Some are elaborate, others very simple. But all of them show a deep sense of God’s presence in our lives and our world.

The most recent addition to our painting collection came on Sunday, December 16. South side watercolorist Walt Shealor "painted the worship service." His work depicts the child who was baptized that Sunday being visited by a dove. It also depicts the child being shaped by the hands of God. It gives images to the idea that all of us are created and shaped by our God.

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A Time Away--Retreat for Clergy and Christian Educators
 Article from United Church News, March 2002

A Time Away at Pilgrim Hills’
Prettyman Adult Center for Spiritual Nurture

A day-long retreat offered specifically for clergy and church educators

Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, June 4
9 am to 5 pm

Opportunities for personal reflection, silence, corporate worship, relaxation and refreshment, 
individual and small group spiritual guidance

Cost: $22, including lunch. 
Call the Ohio Conference office at 800-282-0740 to request a brochure.

Called to Camp
 Article from United Church News, March 2002

Called! It’s a word that we’ve heard in the Ohio Conference a great deal lately, a word that could well be illuminated with another "C" word: Camp! Are you called to be at camp this summer? Templed Hills and Pilgrim Hills Camps both are in need of volunteer directors and counselors. Directors are needed for the Grandparent/Grandchild, Outpost, Love the Pool, and Bikin’ It camps. Co-directors are needed to help lead Critter Camps.

Paid site staff positions are available as well. Program Coordinators are keys to the summer program, supervising some staff and coordinating the different directors’ needs. Lifeguards maintain a safe environment in the pool area. Health caregivers administer medications brought by campers and apply first aid. Staff counselors guide, live with and care for campers. Maintenance staff members care for the facilities and keep the site safe. Assistants to the Program Coordinator host the dining rooms and manage the camp store.

Applicants for all positions except lifeguards must be high school graduates; lifeguards can be younger.

Share your love of God with others and enjoy a week or a summer at camp. To apply or for information, contact the Rev. Cynthia Speller, Ohio Conference Minister for Outdoor Ministries, at 800-282-0740, 614-885-0722 or cynthias@ocucc.org.
A Blanket Sunday Thank-you
 Article from United Church News, March 2002

Dear Friends of Church World Service,

In the past, many UCC congregations have been very generous in their support of the Church World Service Blanket and Tools of Hope Program. Your gifts have made a difference in the lives of many people around the world.

My name is Sharif Hashim. I am a refugee from Somalia now living in Columbus, Ohio. I was a small business owner in Mogadishu, and never dreamed that one day I would find myself living in the United States. You see, my family and I were a hard-working, middle-class family caught between two warring factions. We lost our home, business, and all our belongings and were forced to walk for three days to a refugee camp in Kenya. We lived in the camp for 4 ½ years with more than 30,000 other refugees.

While in the refugee camp, it was Church World Service that provided us with blankets, tents, food and a clean-water well. I remember the day I received the CWS blanket, and can tell you it was like receiving a gift of a million dollars! My family and I know that the help we received was because of your generosity and that of many congregations throughout the United States who support this ministry of help and hope.

With this letter, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for me, my family, and the many other families around the world caught in disaster or civil strife.

If you have not scheduled a Blanket and Tools of Hope Sunday this year, I encourage you to do so. The needs are so great here at home and around the globe. There is a new short video and planning packet which I think you’ll find very helpful -- and they are free! Just call the CWS office toll free at 888-297-2767, and they’ll send them to you.

Again, on behalf of my family and the thousands of other families that you have touched, thank you, and may God continue to bless you and your family.

Sincerely, 
Sharif Hashim
Immanuel UCC Reaches Out to Its Neighbors in Need
 Article from United Church News, March 2002

The neighbors of Immanuel UCC in Bromley, Kentucky, know there is somewhere to go for help when a financial crisis leaves them unable to provide the necessities for their families. The church’s Needy Neighbor Program serves 50 families whose incomes force them to choose between rent, heat and food.

"These are good people who wish they would not have to ask for help," says Immanuel’s pastor, Thomas Eisentrout. "They are always gracious and considerate. One even offered to paint any part of the church that would be needed as a way to pay for our assistance to his family. This is just a bad time for all of them."

Immanuel has secured a contract from the United States Department of Agriculture that supplies food for each family for one week a month. Immanuel supplies food for the other three weeks of the month by purchasing carefully from the Free Store in Cincinnati. As the USDA does not supply meat, cleaning supplies or personal hygiene items, these are some of the things the church provides.

Additional support of the $20 per week per family cost of the program comes from the congregation’s weekly "jingle offering." Fund raisers are being planned, and a program is being established in which a family can be "adopted" financially.

The Needy Neighbor food pantry is open every Monday from 6 – 8 p.m. Anyone interested in helping financially or volunteering their time at the pantry is invited to contact the church at 859-261-8858.

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