THE BETHANY LETTEROctober 9, 2007 Volume 2007, Issue No. 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Consumption "Humanity?" "Americans?" "Citizens?" "Individuals?" No, they have a stronger name for people like us; we are known as, "Consumers!" Imagine! What an insult. To consume is by definition to use up, exhaust, deplete. Of course, the term refers to our position at the end of the economic chain, from producer, to manufacturer, to merchandiser/advertiser, and lastly to consumer. The problem is, we have taken this name to heart, really latched on and run with it! It's almost as if, with that negative name having been conferred upon us, we are determined to live up to it. We have become proficient at the Consuming Game, playing it skillfully but never quite winning it because there is no winning. There is just more playing, and losing. Another name you might use for people like us is "Christians." Somewhere in spiritual depths of all that this word implies is a designation that should feel more appropriate than "consumer." That word is "steward." One can be a good steward or a bad steward, but Christian teaching reveals such clear direction that the way to being a good steward is made quite do-able. Additionally, in the role of a good steward, we can be a blessing to the world. Unlike the Consuming Game, the Stewardship Game has a clear win. In fact, you win every time you play! Beyond that, our families, our church, our communities, country, and even the world win too, as they benefit from our small individual efforts. It's like the parable of the mustard seed - little things, done with God in charge, can produce massive results. In recent months, our church has begun to focus on some of the practical ways of being good stewards of the environment. Small efforts can contribute significantly. As Christians know, God has promised to provide for our needs - our needs. He has given enough for the whole world, and said in effect: Okay - SHARE! When we explore ways of sharing our abundance, we are following God's plan. When we indulge in keeping our material gifts for ourselves alone, we are obstructing God's plan. The world can know great blessings from our small efforts, and learn to know God through us in the process of practicing good stewardship. He has entrusted us with this task, assured us He will be present to guide us, and amazingly, will provide what we need. Reduce, re-use, and recycle. Following these practices, we can be good stewards of the earth and all our resources. Reduce consumption first of all (ask yourself, "Do I really need this item?" before buying, or "Is this trip really necessary?") Buy and use responsibly. Re-use to control unnecessary spending and waste. Find ways to delay the disposal of everything you use by finding secondary uses. Teach your children to be creative about re-use. Re-using is always preferable to recycling, but when something can no longer be used, then Recycle in order to eliminate excessive demand, and to create a cleaner world, more in tune with nature and God's plan. I've become very aware of, and devoted to, practices of good stewardship over the past several years. I deplore wastefulness. I try to be a responsible consumer, if a "consumer" I must be. I've found it amazing how little I really need. Tithing has been a large blessing and it is a crucial part of my good-stewardship approach to life. We have not suffered from a lack of anything; and I know that what we have given back has grown like the mustard seed - grown to do more good than if we had just spent it on ourselves. I'm looking forward to learning more about the environmental issues involved, as our church explores ways that we can help the Earth, and be better Stewards. Faithfully, Debra Ocepek ***************** Homecoming Sunday October 14, 2007 Jim Ditzler, Guest Preacher Eastern Ohio Association, UCC Disaster Response Team Scriptures: Matthew 25:31-45 and 1 John 3:16-18 Sunday Morning Opportunities . . .
8:30 a.m. Worship (Fellowship)/ 7th Day 9:15 a.m. Church School for Children 9:15 a.m. Brunch - Combined Adult Class/ Jim Ditzler, UCC Disaster Response Team 10:30 a.m. Worship/ Chancel Choir 11:30 a.m. Social Hour ~ "Homecoming Celebration" Adult Classes, please meet in the social hall for brunch.
Confirmation Schedule
Youth Fellowship Schedule
Katrina Disaster Response The Mission Committee has arranged a very special opportunity for us to learn about the response of the United Church of Christ to the Katrina disaster. Jim Ditzler of the Eastern Ohio Association UCC, Disaster Response Team, will be our guest preacher at both services on October 14th. He'll also share a video presentation during a brunch between the services. Jim has been a member of the UCC Disaster Response Team for 15 years. In addition to working to develop a stronger disaster response ministry in Ohio, he's personally spent 8 months in hurricane relief work in Florida and 6 months in New Orleans following Katrina. He's also been involved in tornado relief work in Ohio and flood relief work in West Virginia and Ohio. The team is currently involved in flood relief work in Bucyrus, Findlay, Mansfield, Ottawa, Painesville, and Upper Sandusky. Don't miss this opportunity to become informed about an important part of our church's wider mission.
HOMECOMING SUNDAY OCTOBER 14TH We are looking forward to seeing you at our Bread of Life Homecoming Celebration on October 14th at 10:30 a.m. We will honor our homebound members during the "Bread of Life" social hour sponsored by Christian Education. We hope to encourage our homebound members to come and worship with us on this special Sunday. Bible Discoveries Class Our class will not meet Sunday, October 14th, as we will join all classes for brunch in the social hall. Please read pages 27-50 in the book Desire of the Everlasting Hills for Sunday, October 21st.
Falls Cancer Club - Upcoming events! HAIR CUT A THON Nuova Luce Salon ~ October 14th. Call for an appointment, haircuts only, 330-923-9670 CHILI SUPPER First Christian Church ~ October 18th 4:00 to 7:00 PM. $6.00 PER PERSON, take out available All proceeds benefit Falls Cancer Club Patients
WOMEN 'S FELLOWSHIPOctober 15th 7:00 p.m. Our program will be a special PBS Video titled, Akron Women: Another Look at History. Please join us and learn about the special women who shaped the history of Akron!
Esperanza Planning Meeting Monday, October 15th 7:00 p.m. in the Adult Library Now's the time! Put your name on the list for the February 9-16, 2008 Esperanza Trip! All confirmed Bethany members are eligible to go. Interested? Be at this meeting! Questions? Call Bill Leas.
Men's Volunteer Breakfast It is a great time for men of the church to get together to share faith, food, and fellowship together; as well as a few chores with which the custodians could use some help. The men gather the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 8:00 a.m. (Next breakfast October 17th) Can you help make this time possible by providing breakfast for 8-10 men once during the year? If so, call Nancy Read.
Bethany has been a Red Cross shelter in the community in the event of a disaster for a number of years. The American Red Cross has asked us if we would like to recruit volunteers to be trained to open and run our church as a shelter if needed. The Missions Committee decided to have our members trained. The three-hour training will take place on Wednesday, October 17th from 6-9 pm at Bethany. This is a one time training not yearly. If you are interested in being a part of this training, please contact Carolyn B. Hofmann. This training and volunteer opportunity is open to all Bethany adults not just the mission committee members.
NEWSPAPERS PLEASE The Ocepeks could use a few bags of old newspapers for shipping communionware. If you have any to spare at this time, please bring them in and mark "Ocepek" on the bag or box so they don't mistakenly get put into the recycle bin. Thanks! Save your ACME Receipts The Cash Back Program is the same as last year EXCEPT the dates for collecting are shorter! Acme Brands! Food Club, Dining-In, Domestix, Paws, Top Care, Top Crest and Valutime.Acme Fresh Market will issue a rebate check equal to 5% of the Cash Back amount printed at the bottom of the receipt. The Cash Back amount includes all Acme brand merchandise purchases. Ask your families, friends, co-workers and neighbors to save them too! (R.S.V.P. stores not included in the program.) Bethany's Youth Fellowship appreciates your support as the proceeds help fund the youth mission trip.
THANK YOU To all at Bethany UCC, We thank you for all you have done for us this week. We greatly appreciate your hospitality; all of the wonderful food and the nice fellowship with all the volunteers. The girls loved visiting the dog training classes! Krysta especially enjoyed visiting with Kim (she talked about her all week). Thank you all again, the Colliers To the Bethany Church Family, Many thanks for all the expressions of sympathy in cards and words since my mother's death. She slowly left us over the years, forgetting friends, her past and finally her family and even Ellie and I. Her world just kept getting smaller and smaller. My grieving has been going on for several years as I saw her leave us. Her death was a release from the dementia and arthritis. At 95 she lived a rich, full life. We had a great celebration of her life at First UCC, Clay City, IN last month. - Mark Steiner and Family
Please remember in your prayers . . .Jenny Bisesi, Manor Care Dorothy Draper, Rockynol Albert Jensen, Altercare Geraldine Hunter, Briarwood Margaret Martin - Akron General Select Ctr. Peg Leiter, Seattle WA
Calendar for October 10th to October 17th 10/10 9:30a Bible Study (CE)6:30p Spiritual Council (BD 7:30p Consistory (L) 8:00p Bell Practice 10/11 7:30p Choir Practice Homecoming Celebration! Sunday ~ October 14, 2007 Nursery Available ~ 9:15 - 11:30 a.m. Jim Ditzler, guest preacher, speaker 8:30a Worship (Fellowship)9:15a Church School for Children9:15a Adult Classes/ Brunch/ (Social Hall) guest speaker, Jim Ditzler10:30a Worship/ Children's Sunday School 11:30a Homecoming Celebration! Social Hall 11:30a Confirmation/ Mentor Meal 11:30a YF lunch/ zoo
10/15 9:00a Quilters9:30a Shawl Ministry (Lounge) 10:00a Newsletter Deadline 7:00p Women's Fellowship (Lounge) 7:00p Esperanza Meeting (Adult Libr.) 7:30p Kerygma 10/16 8:15p Staff Meeting (Lounge)10/17 8:00a Men's Breakfast 9:30a Bible Study (C.E.) 5:00p Red Cross Training Session (S. Hall) 8:00p Bell Practice 10/18 6:15p Confirmation Meal, Music, Class (Library)7:30p Choir Practice 10/19 10/20 11:30a Bethany Kitchen (S. Hall)
Sunday ~ October 21, 2007 Nursery Available ~ 9:15 - 11:30 a.m. 8:30a Worship (Healing & Reconciliation)9:15a Church School for Children and Adults 10:30a Worship/ Children's Sunday School 11:30a Social Hour Host: Lounge Class 11:45a 7th Day Choir Practice 6:30p YF
Volunteers Names of Sunday are published AHEAD of the scheduled Sunday as a kindly reminder & an early thank you! If you are unable to volunteer the day you are scheduled, please remember to find someone to take your place and then call the church office so we may make necessary changes. Volunteers for October 14th Esperanza Cup Washing: A. Zeller, C. Zeller Greeters: H. & E. Nagel/ G. & V. Earlenbaugh Lay Reader: G. Jensen Music: 7th Day/ Chancel Choir Nursery: M. Peyak, K. Miller, C. Pletzer, T. Giffen Social Hour Host: Christian Education Ushers: T. Hermann, F. Read, J. Grazulis, J. Seymour, B.&C. Pletzer, C. Eberhardt, Karen Fratz Van Driver: J. France Visitor Outlook: N. Buck
Volunteers for October 21st Esperanza Cup Washing: T. Giffen, E. Jensen Greeters: J. &. P. Mansfield/ T. & B. Hermann Lay Reader: K. McDevitt Music: Special Music/ Chancel Choir Nursery: T. Jensen, B. Read, C. Pletzer, H. Alberson Social Hour Host: Lounge Class Ushers: L. Luginbill, B. Charton, M. & R. Bowmaster, A. McVan, H. Bowman, E. Frederick, L. Sheppard Van Driver: C. Frederick Visitor Outlook: O. Devine ************************************The United Church of Christ – What We Believe We believe in the triune God: Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world. We believe that each person is unique and valuable. It is the will of God that every person belong to a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved. We believe that each person is on a spiritual journey and that each of us is at a different stage of that journey. We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with God, engendering love, strengthening faith, dissolving guilt, and giving life purpose and direction. We believe that all of the baptized 'belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' No matter who – no matter what – no matter where we are on life's journey – notwithstanding race, gender, sexual orientation, class or creed – we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith. All persons baptized – past, present and future – are connected to each other and to God through the sacrament of baptism. We baptize during worship when the community is present because baptism includes the community's promise of 'love, support and care' for the baptized – and we promise that we won't take it back – no matter where your journey leads you. We believe that all people of faith are invited to join Christ at Christ's table for the sacrament of Communion. Just as many grains of wheat are gathered to make one loaf of bread and many grapes are gathered to make one cup of wine, we, the many people of God, are made one in the body of Christ, the church. The breaking of bread and the pouring of wine reminds us of the costliness of Christ's sacrifice and the discipleship to which we are all called. In the breaking of bread, we remember and celebrate Christ's presence among us along with a 'cloud of witnesses' – our ancestors, family and friends who have gone before us. It is a great mystery; we claim it by faith. We believe the UCC is called to be a united and uniting church. "That they may all be one." (John 17:21) "In essentials–unity, in nonessentials–diversity, in all things–charity," These UCC mottos survive because they touch core values deep within us. The UCC has no rigid formulation of doctrine or attachment to creeds or structures. Its overarching creed is love. UCC pastors and teachers are known for their commitment to excellence in theological preparation, interpretation of the scripture and justice advocacy. Even so, love and unity in the midst of our diversity are our greatest assets. We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others and to be good stewards of the earth's resources. 'To believe is to care; to care is to do.' We believe that the UCC is called to be a prophetic church. As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and comfort the afflicted. We believe in the power of peace, and work for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and international problems. We are a people of possibility. In the UCC, members, congregations and structures have the breathing room to explore and to hear ... for after all, God is still speaking, ...
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