Please note: Sometimes, depending on the search engine used, this e-newsletter is clipped. Please look for "[Message clipped] View entire message " to view the The Columns Newsletter in its entirety. 
The Columns - July 2021
Letters to Our Church Family
From Your Pastor

“They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season.” Psalm 1:3a
This month, the United Church of Christ will host its 33rd General Synod. It is a virtual gathering, and anyone is welcome to register: https://www.generalsynod.org/
 
General Synod involves workshops, speakers, and worship opportunities, as well as conducting the business of the church (if you register, you can pick and choose which parts you attend!) I’ll be representing the Heartland Conference as a delegate, as I did in 2019 in Milwaukee. 
 
This year’s theme is “Rooted in Love.” The focus scripture is Psalm 1:3a, which is the same scripture I invoked on the occasion of Virginia Hancock’s Memorial service earlier this month. Psalm 1 calls on us to stay rooted in love, faith, hope, and justice, which is especially helpful during this season of emerging and transitioning. 

It’s been an absolute delight to see so many of you in and out of the church building, or in your homes, at community activities, or at a coffee shop or the Lakewood Truck Park in the past month. It’s amazing how quickly this sense of “normalcy” has returned. In my conversations with people, I find that some are excited that “everything feels normal again,” while others are hesitant to return to “normal,” because “normal” is wasn’t working for them and they’re ready for a new way forward. Many people I talk to (myself included) are unsure of how to navigate a Summer with unvaccinated children, and concerned about the continued risk to immunocompromised family members. Many are still overcome by the grief and anger of the pandemic, and how it was handled, and the immense loss throughout our world, and the sacrifices that were made willingly or not, and are struggling to process the roller coaster of emotions. 
I suspect we will continue to live in this tension for a while. As I’ve been saying in worship-- “to embrace the awkwardness of the season” as we expand our ability to be together in person safely. I’m so grateful for the ability to livestream our services and host some meetings as hybrid Zoom/in-person meetings so that we can include as many members as possible. 

There’s a big part of me that wants to fast-forward through the liminal time, but if we fast-forward, we will miss so much of what the Spirit is saying to us now. I find myself clinging to the General Synod focus scripture, that scripture I used to reflect on a Beloved Church Matriarch: the image of the deeply-rooted tree. The Psalmist inspires us to be rooted in Love, reaching deep down into the soil for nutrients and high into the air for the sunlight. A deeply-rooted tree sways and bends in the wind, sheds unneeded branches, changes with every season, and responds to the changes of the environment as it grows. 
 
When I feel overwhelmed and swamped (which is always), I remind myself of the deeply-rooted tree, strongly rooted in God’s love, secure and grounded. That’s the Disciple I yearn to be during this season.
 
Stay rooted, Beloved Ones. Stay connected, and continue to pray for LCC, our community, and our world. 
 
Be well, Pastor Joanna
 
AFTERWORD: Would you believe I settled on this Columns article the day before the City of Lakewood cut down the ENORMOUS tree just outside our church on West Clifton? I’m not ready to incorporate that into Psalm 1 yet, but for now let’s leave it at this: the only constant is change. Nah, there are two constants: Change, and God’s abiding love for creation. The City has plans to plant a new tree there. To God’s Glory, we’ll watch its roots grow deep. 
One of the great joys in our church is welcoming new members into our Christian community. We will hold a New Member Sunday on July 25 during worship to formally accept new members into the life and ministry of Lakewood Congregational Church.
Despite not meeting in person for over a year, we are blessed that many found their way to LCC during this time and may now be ready to join. An evening of dessert and informational will be held at the home of Vicki Smigelski on Wednesday, July 21. If you are interested in learning more about membership at LCC, please contact the church office or Pastor Joanna.
Notes from Your Music Director:
Throughout the pandemic, I spent a lot of time (I don’t care to think how long) in the Sanctuary, practicing, recording, learning how to record well, and sometimes silently yelling at myself because recording is inherently a frustrating process. But I think the hardest part was that I was generally alone in there. Even though I would often feel a connection with God (so I wasn’t technically alone), I sorely missed you: in the chancel, in the pews…that beautiful family bound by love and a common faith that is LCC. I’m sure you can relate to that alienation that was engendered by staying home and staying safe.

So it has been incredibly gratifying as we have met again in the Sanctuary…to laugh, to smile, to cry, to mourn, to reconnect with each other and God. I deeply believe the truth is that we were never spiritually apart. But COVID sure made it harder for us! A further source of joy to me has been leading the summer pick-up choir (next meeting July 11 and July 25…please join us) twice in the last month. The oddity of creating a simulated choir through a lot of hard work recording hymns and technical wizardry has given way to breathing together and filling our beautiful worship space with beautiful voices rising up to God, as well it should always be.

What’s next this summer? As you’ll be hearing from Executive Team, we’ve been doing a lot of collective discernment about how we want the church to move forward coming out of pandemic and it’s been a great process. Musically, we’re going to continue to explore new opportunities for intergenerational and participatory experiences and continue our commitment to diversity in programming. As always, this does not mean to throw babies out with bathwater and this will never come at the expense of the many hymns and anthems we know and love. Do you have styles of music or specific songs and hymns you’d like to hear in worship? Please let me know and we’ll see if we can’t honor your suggestions!

I am also hopeful we’ll continue to have more music outside of the Sanctuary, like ’Smoretime with God. I invite you to join us for the next one, coming up on July 20, and be a part of the wonderful worship experience that Chris Burns, with his unique gifts, creates at those events. (Note to God: Please stop raining on ‘Smoretime!) As always, please join us in person or via the Internet if you’re on the road. Please continue to stay in good health and recover from the many challenges and stressors of the last year. And please know how loved you are by God, your community, and myself.
Thanks for reading, Ben
To respect varying privacy preferences, we will simply include names in this email and we will share more detailed information with permission within our Prayer Group and ongoing prayer spreadsheet. Help to keep the prayer list up to date by letting the office know of any changes.

Prayers for: Doug Pekarik, Judy and Richard Foote as they relocate to Maine, the Dailey-Rickard family as the prepare to relocate to New Hampshire, John Hancock and his family on the passing of his wife, Virginia (Ginny), our Confirmation Students on their confirmation, Doug MacDougall, Bruce Matthews, Charlotte Brown, Mary Jane Cariens, Harry and Annemarie Brockman, Gene Stair, George and Sally Alkire, Linda Lodge, Dale and Tom Spooner, Debi Kasper's brother Tom, Noah and Hannah Hamrick (Baby Due in August), Vance Awa, Dylan McIntosh, Rachel Faulkner, and the citizens of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, healthcare workers, educators, and small businesses.
Treasurer’s Comments

We are a church with annual budget approaching $500,000 and an endowment exceeding $2,000,000. These precious resources enable us to worship, celebrate, console, and serve our community. We need more eyes advising and guiding our leadership to harvest and apply these resources well.

As your Treasurer, I am calling on you to become a member of an expanded Finance Committee to act as stewards of our finances. I envision the committee meeting three (3) times per year; once to focus on the endowment, once to review financial progress six months into the current budget year, and once to assist in preparation of the annual budget. The committee will act as an advisor to the Executive Team through the Treasurer in the following areas:
  • Periodically review financial reports, comparing actual income and expenses to budget
  • Review endowment reports to analyze performance and assure optimum stewardship of these resources
  • Review internal processes and controls for accuracy and timeliness
  • Assist in preparation of the annual budget
  • Review and recommend modifications in policies, practices, and planning
Please contact the church office or me directly to express your interest and any questions you may have. Financial experience or acumen is not a requirement; rather your desire to become more familiar with how we manage our financial resources to meet our congregational needs and objectives.
Steve Hotchkiss, Treasurer
Financial Manager Transition
After many years of faithful service, Patti Dobro has announced her retirement (again!) from LCC. The personnel team posted the 10-12 hour/week Financial Manager position and accepted several dozen applications.
We interviewed four candidates and have chosen a final candidate. We will announce his name and introduce him to the congregation when his background check is complete. In the meantime, he is working alongside Patti D. to transition and understand the software, budget, and financial processes we have in place.
We will also have a time of celebrating Patti D's continued devotion to LCC during worship on an upcoming Sunday, and we enjoyed taking her and our office volunteers out for lunch this past Monday.
A Note on Building Transitions
[Excerpt/adapted from June 2021 Columns Article]
As stewards of our beautiful building on the corner of W. Clifton and Detroit, there are a number of elements within our building that need to be taken care of.
  1. You’ll see that we’re working with Richardson Design to redesign the W. Clifton Hallway. This will allow us to have a second space for coffee hour. If you recall, before the pandemic, the parlor was getting a bit crowded!
  2. We also transformed the Sanctuary level restroom into a handicap accessible all-gender/family restroom, because there was not a handicap accessible restroom on the Sanctuary level and anyone who needed to use the restroom during worship often needed to go down the elevator to do so.
  3. At the request and in support of the ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church, we are temporarily removing and storing the chapel pews. *This is not a permanent change. Any permanent decision will be discussed at a congregational meeting. Trinity is looking for a more accessible and flexible worship space. For now, this will give them an opportunity to explore their options. It will also allow us to tend to long-delayed electrical needs, which we can’t reach while the pews are fixed to the ground.
  4. We will tend to the Memorial Garden, especially where there are visible issues with the stone walls, and other landscaping needs. THANK YOU to all who helped with the Saturday mulching day. We had a wonderful turnout!
Children, Youth, & Family: News & Events 
Hello, LCC families & friends-

I hope that you’re having a wonderful summer and that you are filled with hope for all that is to come in your lives with friends, family, church, school, and more! It’s been a blessing to begin re-connecting with you through our in-person events and when I’ve seen you out and about. Our church family is so special and each one of you is an important part of the family. 

Will you be joining us for Seussical, the Musical the 2nd weekend of this month? (Tickets available at church on 7/4 or by emailing the church office: lccstaff@lcc-church.org Tickets are a free will donation at the show.

Our cast and crew have been working hard and I think you’ll be delighted with the show. Seussical, the Musical takes many beloved Dr. Seuss books and weaves them together to create a lively story which emphasizes equality for all and standing up for one another. As Horton the elephant teaches us, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” I look forward to seeing you onstage, backstage, or enjoying the show as we journey together through Who-Ville and the Jungle of Nool! 

Much love, Rachel Burns

To be sure you don’t miss anything and to stay connected, check out the events listed here and see the Stay Up To Date section later in this newsletter. Please reach out to me if you have questions or would like to chat.

Greeting Card Fundraiser
Please remember that our youth are selling LCC greeting cards as a mission trip fundraiser. The cards are in the back of the sanctuary and there is an envelope there to place your payment. The cards are 10 for $15.

Children & Youth, we have an opportunity for you to share some love and good vibes with our friends at Eliza Jennings this month! We would love for you to make cards, draw pictures, or write letters for the residents. Please drop your cards, pictures, and letters off at the LCC office so they can be delivered to our friends at Eliza Jennings. It will be very much appreciated. Thank you!

Upcoming Events:
  • Monday-Wednesday, July 5-7, 5pm-8pm: Seussical Tech Rehearsals
  • Thursday, July 8, 7pm: Seussical, the Musical
  • Friday, July 9, 7pm: Seussical, the Musical
  • Sunday, July 11, 2pm: Seussical, the Musical
  • Sunday, July 18, 7:30pm: Youth Group (incoming 6th grade thru 2021 grads. Details to come!)
  • Sunday, July 25, 4-5pm: Playtime at the Park for kids and families @Wagar Park (Madison Ave, Lakewood)
  • TBA Confirmation Field Trip to Beth Israel-The West Temple (for youth who were confirmed in the spring and those who will be confirmed in the fall)

Looking Ahead: Youth Mini Mission Trip August 7 & 8 (rescheduled), August Confirmation Field Trip to The Cleveland Museum of Art (more info to come)

Sunday Morning Nursery Care
-Outdoor nursery care is available each Sunday for toddlers thru preschoolers. If you will need nursery care, please follow these 2 steps:
Complete the annual Faith Formation Registration found HERE
Text me by Friday to reserve your spot for the following Sunday. 440-523-0708. 
For more information about Sunday worship protocols and nursery care, please see our plan for returning to worship, found HERE  
-Older youth are warmly welcomed to volunteer with the outdoor nursery! Please email or text me with when you are available to volunteer. Thank you!

Stay Up To Date
Stay up to date with all of our happenings for children, youth, and families! Please be sure to be signed up for the text alerts through Remind so you can receive updates, changes, and reminders.
Families with children and youth who are active in our church are welcome to join our Facebook group: Lakewood Congregational Church Children & Youth. 
All ages are invited to follow our Instagram account! @lcc_cyf
Text Alerts: Please sign up for text alerts about our children and youth ministry through Remind. 
-Parents of children in 5th grade or under- Send a text to 81010 with this message: @gae42kk.
-Youth and parents of youth (grades 6-12)- Send a text to 81010 with this message: @ae6g96. 
Faith Formation Registration
It’s time to register for 2021-2022 Faith Formation! We hope to be back in the building for Faith Formation in the fall, but we will be following all recommended guidelines. We will make the best of whatever we are faced with! :) All children and youth, infants through 12th graders, should have a completed registration form. The form is found HERE
Mission Trip Update 
In an effort to include as many of our youth as possible, we have changed the dates of our mini mission trip to August 7 & 8. This is a day camp style trip and we will be working with Building Hope in the City.
Registration will close mid-July. Please text or email me with any questions. You’ll find the registration and more information HERE

Miracle Jar
Our miracle jar is back! If you attend any of our upcoming in-person worship services, we will have the miracle jar there for any offerings our children and youth would like to bring. We also invite our children to make a miracle jar at home if they are not yet attending in-person worship!
OUTREACH/INREACH NEWS

LCC's Community Meal
We will be offering our monthly
Community Meal
Thursday, July 1
Our June meal was chicken with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese, mixed vegetables, biscuits with butter, fruit cup and oatmeal raisin cookies made by Jan Young.
We had 26 people attend and all meal were taken by 6:20pm. Our helpers were Susan Walker, Nancy Fraunfelder, Jan Young, Jennifer and Frank Schwelik, Janet and Renato Carrettin.
Our costs were $67.73.
As always we feel very fortunate to be able to provide this service to our community.
Peggi & Michael Mizen
Since the church has been closed for services, we have been unable to collect regular donations for Hunger Sundays. If you were previously donating to Hunger Sundays and have the means to continue to give, we encourage you to make those donation. Two local organizations that could be donated to are the Cleveland Food Bank and the Lakewood Community Service Center.
Global Ministries Update
We have had great success raising over $7,500 for the Mt. Selinda Hospital of the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) to help them work through COVID-19 and other medical challenges of the country. This will be combined with approximately $2,500 from our mission endowment distribution to equal approximately $10,000 to meet our goal!!
 
Global Ministries has been working with the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) since its founding in 1893. Today, the UCCZ is responsible for many ministries, including schools, children’s homes, hospitals, and health programs in the country. Mt. Selinda Hospital is one of the first ministries set up through the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe. Mt. Selinda Hospital offers a variety of healthcare services and procedures for those living in the region.
 
Money from our campaign will go toward important projects of the hospital in the coming year including:
  • Doctors Salary Top-up program, an important program for maintaining medical staff
  • COVID-19 response and preparedness priorities such as distributing Personal Protection Equipment and Awareness Campaign
  • Food Security efforts such as agriculture and food basket distributions
  • Water Reticulation project, which is important for hygiene and reducing the spread of the virus. 
 
Gifts are still being accepted and you are welcome to join us in contributing. Please join us on July 18 in church as new information will be presented from Global Ministries about the work of the hospital. 
Lakewoodalive is seeking 6-8 LCC volunteers on Saturday, July 24 at 10 am to do light weeding and picking up trash, as need, for a Lakewood neighbor. This is a great opportunity for adults and kids (middle school and up). If you would like to participate, please contact Karen in the office for more details. 216-221-9555
LCC Meetings/News/EVENTS

JOIN YOUR LCC FAMILY FOR THESE
JULY EVENTS
  • Sunday, July 4, 10:00am: Worship, no Coffee Hour
  • Monday, July 5, OFFICE CLOSED
  • Monday, July 5 - Wednesday, July 7, Seussical Tech Rehearsal
  • Thursday, July 8, 7:00pm: Seussical Performance
  • Friday, July 9, 7:00pm: Seussical Performance
  • Sunday, July 11, 8:45am: Summer Pick Up Choir
  • Sunday, July 11, 10:00am: Worship with Coffee Hour
  • Sunday, July 11, 2:00pm: Seussical Performance
  • Monday, July 12, 7:30pm: Prayer Shawl Ministry (on the Kasper's porch)
  • Saturday, July 17, 9:00am-12:00pm: Trinity Pantry and Meal
  • Saturday, July 17, 10:00am-12:00pm: Equity Lab Meeting, Parlor
  • Sunday, July 18, 10:00am: Worship with Coffee Hour
  • Sunday, July 18, 7:30pm: Youth Group (incoming 6th grade thru 2021 grads. Details to come!)
  • Tuesday, July 20, 6:30pm: S'moretime with God
  • Saturday, July 24, 10:00am: Lakewoodalive yardwork volunteering
  • Sunday, July 25, 8:45am: Summer Pick Up Choir
  • Sunday, July 25, 10:00am: Worship with Coffee Hour
  • Sunday, July 25, 4-5pm: Playtime at the Park for kids and families @Wagar Park (Madison Ave, Lakewood)
  • Pew Move Date: TBA (the evening of July 21, 28 or 29)

OFFICE HOURS CHANGE: SUMMER HOURS:
The office will be open Tuesday-Friday, 9:00am-1:00pm
Peace and grace! We write amidst the national conversation about equity and inclusiveness to invite you and your congregation to join Cohort I of the Equity Lab, a new project being developed by Jake and Monica Streeter, Latrelle and Joseph Hairston, and me at Denison Ave. UCC in collaboration with a team of friends at Westshore UUA, and Lakewood Congregational UCC, who will be hosting our meetings at their church facility, 1375 W Clifton Blvd, Lakewood, OH 44107. 
 
The Equity Lab is a praxis-based, 3-month service-learning opportunity for people with limited exposure to communities of color to deepen their understanding of systemic injustice by working with our ministries at Denison and reflecting on their experiences in facilitated monthly discussions. Besides the initial 2-hour orientation session on July 17, participants will engage in at least one 3-hour service session per month ("lab") at Denison UCC and take part in two monthly 90-minute conversations and a concluding 2-hour session to reflect on their experiences. 
 
We would be delighted to have you and/or members of your congregation to join us in our journey towards deeper understanding and social transformation. Please register via pastor@denisonucc.org; tuition may be paid via the "donate" button on the denisonucc.org website, cash, or check (made out to "Denison Ave. UCC").
LITURGIST SIGN UP
We are looking for liturgists for the summer. Please use the link to sign up and the liturgy will be emailed to you before your Sunday. A large print version will be left for you in the Liturgist's Mailbox in the office.
Adventures in Reading
Adventures in Reading held their end of the year luncheon with their first in-person gathering since March 2020. We met at Clifton Beach (June 9th at noon) with a bring your own lunch picnic. Susan Walker hosted the gathering with all thirteen of our members present. It was a beautiful day, and we were grateful to see each other after a year of zooming. We worked on finalizing our book selections and meeting dates for the 2021-2022 season starting in September.
We plan to return to Westlake Porter Library as they gradually reopen their meeting rooms. The Four Winds (2021) by Kristin Hannah will be our book to discuss at our first meeting - Thursday, September 9. Claire Stair will be the discussion leader.

This was also a time to bid farewell to Judy Foote as she and Richard travel to live in Maine for the next adventure in their life. Judy was presented a beautiful scrapbook made by Claire Stair and some restaurant gift cards (Maine locations) obtained by Kay Galloway with contributions by the book group. Fortunately our zoom skills will continue to keep us connected in the future. We are blessed - good friends - good books - good memories.
Kathy MacDougall
Women in our church family will gather for Second Saturday on Saturday, July 10 and August 14, at 9 am in the Centennial Garden
We spend an hour in conversation, reflection and prayer. We’ll plan to meet in the Centennial Garden at church, weather permitting. Bring a chair!
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Prayer Shawl Ministry will gather Monday, July 12th at 7:30pm on Debi Kasper's porch!
Anyone who is interested, please come for a visit and learn more about us.
Please RSVP to Debi for directions.
Rachel Burns
Junie Maibauer
Dave Bala
Richard Foote
Eliza Richardson
Tom Campbell
Bridget Katzenberger
Robin Suttell
Luke Awa
Piper Shearn
Lindsay Roberts
Clay Atfield
David Burns
Erin Wereb
Chelsea Matthews
Laura Bala
Kathy Ott
Greg Wereb
Michael Kasper
Julie Warren
Quinton Redman
Ellie Kramer
Joanne Ritschel
Parker Toms
Jen Murray
Colman McGuan
Olivia Diemert
Brent Basile
Matthew Lawrence
John & Debi Kasper
Matthew & Aubrey Shearn
George & Lisa Blackburn
Matthew & Amy Smith
Liz & David Spahr
Jon & Kim Taylor
Jim & Nancy Gibbs
Doug & Kathy MacDougall
Earl Gottlieb & Jeralene Mc Ginnis
Rob & Emma Barcelona
LCC Executive Team
Chair: Liz Spahr
Vice Chair: Bill Fraunfelder
Moderator: Jan Young
Buildings and Grounds: Michael Fleenor
Diaconate: Lauren Smigelski
Nurture and Growth Ministries: David Diemert
Outreach Ministries: Laura Blesse-Hampton
Treasurer: Steve Hotchkiss
Welcoming Ministries: Vicki Smigelski
Covid-19 Advisory Team Updates
Covid Protocols for Indoor Worship: HERE
***Please note our Indoor Worship Protocols are changing each week. Please check back regularly with the Protocol Document. A date at the top will indicate the most recent update.***
Each Week, our livestream service can be accessed on Facebook or Youtube, or at LCC-CHURCH.ORG/LIVESTREAM

To access the list of sources where we obtain COVID-19 data that informs our decision-making process, please see the Google doc. HERE
INSTANT CHURCH DIRECTORY
LCC’s Membership Directory is online for you to use on the go! Or at home!
Only members whose email is in the directory can have access to the information. It is available on your computer or as an app on your phone.
Please make sure to update the office if you have any changes to your information. Instant Church Directory
Offering and Contribution Collection
At this time of virtual services we do not have a set-aside time of offering, so we want to remind you now that that we do hope that you will continue to fulfill your pledges during this time. Financial gifts are always welcome, our church feels the call to respond to the needs around us as they arise. Financial stability allows us to do so more effectively. So, let us give generously of our time, talent, treasure to further the work of God in our community.

You can do so in the following ways:
  • Donate through our website: Give
  • Fill out your 2021 Pledge Card: Online Pledge Card or Printable Pledge Card
  • Writing and mailing a check to Lakewood Congregational Church, 1375 W. Clifton Blvd., Lakewood, OH 44107
  • Texting STEWARD to 44-321
  • Sending a gift through your bank's online bill pay
  • Call the church office at (216) 221-9555 to discuss other options
LCC Office Schedule
Office Hours are: Monday - Thursday from 9am-1pm. There is a mailbox by the West Clifton door for you to drop off mail after hours. Email/phone messages will also be checked remotely.