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A MESSAGE FROM REV. GREG
Arthur Gordon in his book
Return to Wonder
tells a story about strolling down a busy street in Manhattan on his way to work early one morning with a friend, Glenn Kittler. They turned a corner and there was a street person, a woman, asking for help. When the woman approached the two men Kittler pulled out some money from his pocket and handed her several bills. Arthur Gordon chastised his friend for doing so. He said, "You know that woman is at this street corner everyday when I walk along here. She's probably just going to take that money and buy booze." "Perhaps she will," said Kittler, "but, you know, I think God sometimes sends people like that to test our charity." "We walked a little further," said Gordon, "and not a word was spoken between us. Then Glenn Kittler, as if talking to himself, said this:"
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The act of giving is more important than the merit of the receiver."
I believe that is something worth remembering today and everyday.
God Bless You!
See you Sunday!
Peace,
Greg
Scripture of the Month
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.
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From the Board...
These are exciting times for First Christian Church. At the September 26 General Board Meeting, in addition to all the "normal" business of the Church (2017 Budget and Stewardship Campaign, Fall Rummage Sale, CWF Retreat, and more), the Board learned about one new item of interest to the church, and received updates on three major efforts that are underway.
The new item was not a complete surprise, in light of Greg's retirement announcement. Rev. Nancy Eberhard submitted her letter of resignation. While her resignation was not a surprise, we received it with many of the same mixture of emotions: joy, grief, concern, sadness...
Rev. Nancy has been an outstanding partner in Rev. Greg's ministry, and has made wonderful contributions to the life and worship of FCC. We will miss her, but are thankful that God has gifted us with her presence.
Rev. Nancy will continue to assist Rev. Greg with Sunday Worship service as a member of the congregation rather than paid staff, but will not conduct the Wednesday Night God Conversations after the current series ends. She has been leading this innovative worship experience, and it was decided that it would be best to pause this ministry for the time being.
As I said last month for Rev. Greg, I hope you all can find time to personally reach out to Nancy and thank her for all she has meant to you and your loved ones.
The three major efforts I mentioned are a Building Evaluation, a New Beginnings Assessment, and the Ministerial Search.
The Building Evaluation is an engagement with the Disciples Church Extension Fund (CEF) to evaluate the condition of our building, identify maintenance issues, and help us prioritize and replacement or remediation efforts that are identified. The Property Committee has a list of deferred maintenance decisions, and together with the Board, we have decided that this engagement would be very helpful.
Our application for a Building Evaluation has been submitted and received by the CEF. We are waiting for a date for a building review visit, which will include a top to bottom inspection of our facilities. The Property Committee will be leading this effort, and will engage other knowledgeable and interested members of the Congregation to be involved in the Building Evaluation process.
The New Beginnings engagement is another engagement with the CEF. It is a comprehensive process to identify, clarify, and define the mission of FCC. It will be an extended process, which will offer many opportunities for participation and input from all members of the Congregation. We hope and pray that this engagement will dovetail nicely with the Ministerial Search by helping us understand who we are and what God wants our Congregation to be and do.
Hope Partnership, which is part of CEF, will conduct the New Beginnings Assessment. You can read more about New Beginnings on their web pages at
http://www.hopepmt.org/transform/new-beginnings/
We have submitted our application to CEF, and Hope Partnership is working with FCC to set a date to begin the process, currently tentatively scheduled in January, 2018.
Norm Long has agreed to lead the New Beginnings Assessment. The process is designed to be very inclusive, so Norm will be reaching out to many different groups and members of the Congregation for assistance. You will hear more about New Beginnings as time goes by: it will be a challenging and exciting opportunity for FCC.
Finally, the Board received an update on the Ministerial Search. The Search has officially begun! I presented the Ministerial Search Committee list which the Executive Committee had prepared to the Board, and it was approved. Jim Rybka has agreed to serve as Chair for the Committee.
The Regional Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was contacted earlier this month, and Carolyn Reed, Associate Regional Minister attended the September 26 Board meeting to inform the Board about Regional assistance with the Search process. Rev. Reed answered many questions and provided very helpful information to us.
After the Board meeting Rev. Reed had her first of several meetings with the Search Committee. She answered yet more questions, discussed next steps for the Committee, and provided us with four names for consideration as Interim Minister. Jim is organizing a meeting of the Search Committee where we can discuss these four candidates, consider interview questions, and begin the process of identifying and calling an Interim.
If you are still with me after all of that, I hope you can agree that FCC is living in exciting times! I also hope you can see that there will be opportunities for input and participation for everyone in these exciting efforts. Please pray for everyone involved, pray for FCC, and open your hearts and minds to helping with the life and times of FCC.
--Mike
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PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS:
HOSPITAL
:
REHAB:
Marilyn Galloway # 201
NURSING HOME/HOMEBOUND:
St Anthony's: Lynn Mann
Cumberland Pointe: Harriett McDowell
Elmcroft # 124:
Suzie Mounts Westminster: Lucille Maris # 1112 Rosewalk Commons: Vernetta Lynn; Verne Comer Rosewalk Village # 216 Sue England
Friendship House# 320 Flo Peters
M. Charlene Bowman 502 W. Jackson St. Mulberry 46058; Wanda Sharp - home Connie Zarzour - #114 Fowler Apts.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
Ann Prather Prayers for Sue England's sister, Ruth - in critical condition
Jim Ogden - brain cancer friend of Daryl Killian. Robin Sturgeon - herniated disc
Don Weedon - health issues Barb Renaud - Prescott, MI friend of Carolyn Weedon -aggressive lung cancer
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Kids Club & Youth Activities for October
October 8 Game Night at Pizza King on Veteran's
Mem. & 18th St. from 4:30-6pm. Pizza
provided just bring money for a drink and
a friend! This is OPEN to everyone
in the
church!
October 15 Exploration Acres from 1-4pm. We will
have a fire pit, hot dogs, drinks and smores
provided. Just bring a dish to share and a
chair.
October 22 Lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings on the
Westside.
October 29 Pastor Appreciation Lunch following
the worship service in Fellowship Hall.
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SUGGESTIONS FOR FOOD BASKETS:
MAC&CHEESE,
BOXED POTATOES,
PASTA,
CAKE MIX,
CANNED CHICKEN,
PANCAKE MIX,
NOODLES,
POP TARTS,
PAPER TOWELS,
TUNA HELPER,
CEREAL,
PEANUT BUTTER,
TOILET TISSUE,
NAPKINS,
PAPER PLATES,
DISH SOAP,
HAND SOAP,
DISH TOWELS,
JELLY IN PLASTIC JARS,
RICE,
HAMBURGER HELPER,
TUNA
DOOR PRIZE SUGGESTIONS:
LAUNDRY SOAP,
FABRIC SOFTENER,
SPOT REMOVER,
WINDOW CLEANER,
DISH SOAP,
HAND OR BATH SOAP,
BATH TOWELS,
HAND TOWELS,
WASH CLOTHS,
CLOROX WIPES,
DISH TOWELS,
PAPER TOWELS,
KITCHEN CLEANING SUPPLIES,
BATHROOM CLEANING SUPPLIES,
FLOOR CLEANING SUPPLIES
QUESTIONS?
CALL
SANDIE HAUSER 765-427-2672 or
DAVE & SUZIE KELSEY 765-296-2397
TIME TO START PLANNING FOR
DECEMBER 9, 2017.
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October is Pastor Appreciation Month. We are having a
Pot Luck Luncheon on
Sunday, October 29th i
mmediately following worship in
Fellowship Hall.
Bring your favorite dish to share. D
rinks & music provided!
Come and show your appreciation for Rev. Greg and Rev. Nancy
and the blessings they both are to the church and the community. Contact Matthew Stewart (404-5220) or Deb Prewett (429-5644) with questions.
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THANK YOU
On behalf of the YWCA Greater Lafayette, we wish to express our gratitude to you for supporting the YWCA's Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (DVIPP) with your gift of $1050.
Your gift will be used where it is most needed by DVIPP.
Sincerely, Debi K DeBruyn
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October Diaconates
October 1st
8am
Team Leader: Howell
Serving: Howell
Serving: Cindy McDonald
Serving: Denise Jones
Serving: Howard Jones
Set Up & Clean Up: Howell & Cindy McDonald
10:15am
Team Leader: Donna Adams
Serving: Carolyn Weedon
Serving: Crystal Cover
Serving: Melanie Davis
Serving: Michael Davis
Set Up & Clean Up: Melanie & Michael Davis
October 8th
8am
Team Leader: Howell
Serving: Howell
Serving: Cindy McDonald
Serving: Denise Jones
Serving: Howard Jones
Set Up & Clean Up: Denise & Howard Jones
10:15am
Team Leader: Dave Schluttenhofer
Serving: Josh Tully
Serving: Debbie Schneider
Serving: ?
Serving: ?
Set Up & Clean Up: Josh Tully & Debbie Schneider
October 15th
8am
Team Leader: Howell
Serving: Howell
Serving: Cindy McDonald
Serving: Denise Jones
Serving: Howard Jones
Set Up & Clean Up: Howell & Cindy McDonald
10:15am
Team Leader: Kathy Stirlen
Serving: Larry Sturgeon
Serving: Mike Nelson
Serving: Carly Schneider
Serving: Debbie Schneider
Set Up & Clean Up: Larry Sturgeon & Mike Nelson
October 22nd
8am
Team Leader: Howell
Serving: Howell
Serving: Cindy McDonald
Serving: Denise Jones
Serving: Howard Jones
Set Up & Clean Up: Denise & Howard Jones
10:15am
Team Leader: Floyd's
Serving: Floyd's
Serving: Juanita Hobaugh
Serving: Megan Eberhard
Serving: Debbie Schneider
Set Up & Clean Up: Floyd's & Juanita Hobaugh
October 29th
(ONE SERVICE)
10am
Team Leader: Harriet Beeler
Serving: Linda Brammell
Serving: Richard Brammell
Serving: Richard Shaw
Serving: Sue Dismore
Set Up & Clean Up: Linda & Richard Brammell
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STUDENT ART SHOW!
Come to the parlor on Sunday, October 22, from 7:45 - Noon and enjoy the art created by Kathy Stirlen's talented students through her FCC pastoral care ministry. Donations are welcome and will go for supplies to help support this incredible ministry to our community!
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329 North 6th Street
Lafayette, IN 47901
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