from the October 2007 issue of The Spire

InSPIREd

Dear Friends,

This, our 225th anniversary year, has been interesting and enlightening. Our anniversary moment speakers on Sunday mornings have been wonderful, the special luncheons have been great, and our rebuilding efforts following the New Year's Day fire are now starting to come to fruition. But we're not quite finished.

Our guest preachers during the month of October will be especially welcome. Rev. Dr. David Gleason, pastor of First Lutheran Church, will be preaching on Sunday, October 21, and Bishop Peter Weaver, presiding episcopal leader of the United Methodist Churches of the Boston Area, will be preaching on Sunday, October 28. I trust you will make every effort to be in attendance those days.

Plan now to attend our special 225th Anniversary Luncheon on Sunday, November 4. Invitations have already been sent out, and I'm looking forward to sharing that day with you.

Invite someone to church this week.

Sincerely,
J. Douglas Patterson

You're never too old for Smithfield School! In addition to our children's classes, we offer several classes for adults every Sunday morning from 9:30-10:30. All are welcome! Many thanks to the dedicated leaders who made the first session such a success: David Anderson, Jon Colburn, and Conway Keibler.

On October 21, Smithfield School will welcome a special guest, the Rev. Dr. David Gleason, senior pastor of First Lutheran Church. Dr. Gleason will be speaking about the life and character of Martin Luther at 9:45 a.m. in the women's fellowship room. Please plan to join us!

Our next session of three classes begins October 28. Choose from these three exciting options:

• Bible Study: Seasons of the Spirit. This curriculum, which studies the same scripture readings you will hear later in worship, has won rave reviews during the first six weeks. "It's a very ecumenical way of looking at the Bible," said Betty Keibler. "I learned many things I hadn't known before." Deepen your spirituality and explore your faith through activities and discussions that bring the Bible to life. This session of Seasons will be led by Ron Pedersen.
• Topic Study: For Everything a Season: The Liturgical Calendar. You know why we celebrate Christmas and Easter, but what about Epiphany and Pentecost? Why does Doug wear a green stole in August and a purple one in March? What's so ordinary about "ordinary time"? Find out in our adult topic study, taught by Pat Arledge-Benko. Explore how sacred time intersects with our daily lives, and learn more about the festivals and seasons of the church's calendar.
• All About Smithfield. We always welcome new members. If you are interested in joining the church or if you would simply like to learn more about this congregation and our denomination, come to this class taught by Rev. Doug Patterson and Rev. Dr. Susan Cherian, with help from other special guests. Those who attend all sessions of this class will have the opportunity to join the church on Sunday, November 21.

To register for any of these classes, return this registration form (an MS Word Document) or show up at 9:30 and we'll point you in the right direction.

Wohltatigkeit, German: beneficial, to make whole and good. This was the term used in 1887, twelve decades ago, by the women of the Smithfield congregation when they organized the Frauen Wohltatigkeitsverein – the Women's Aid Society. I am certain that during those years, the women of the Smithfield Methodist congregation were about the same task of pooling their numbers, their skills, and their commitment to help improve their community and the world. Pastor Voss, commenting in 1932 about the women in his congregation, wrote that the were "the agency through which the congregation expresses itself in glorious charitable endeavor.""

To "practice Christianity" was the motto of the women as they addressed the needs of orphans, widows, the aged, and the less fortunate in the community. Their records indicate regular fundraising events – dinners and bazaars – to help individuals and families become more wohl, more complete. The women of our congregation continue in this tradition as they participate in Project Linus as well as in projects that benefit the youth of the congregation and the congregation as a whole. They have organized the operation of the congregation's lunch program and used the proceeds derived from that stewardship to make significant contributions to the fellowship hall, church parlor, and kitchen.

The Sunday lunch program was launched during the pastorate of Bob Foltz, as the UCC and Methodist congregations were "getting to know each other." In those years, Hilda Becker took on the role of hostess as she practiced Christianity by making veteran members of the congregations as well as newcomers welcome at a coffee time before the service and then during the post-service lunch program. Hilda's practice of "extravagant welcome " existed here in Smithfield for decades before it became a concept within the UCC denomination. Hilda and the folks before and after her contributed to the success not only of the Sunday lunch program, but of the many other programs of the Women's Fellowship. They have maintained the spirit of those founding members of the organization. In our 225th anniversary year celebration, we must truly acknowledge the role of the many "Hildas"who have embraced the vision of the founders of the Frauen Wohltatigkeitsverein to practice Christianity.

The fire on New Year's Day did great damage to the Fellowship Hall and the ability to maintain the weekly lunch program. With the repair of the damaged areas, the hall is being readied for the resumption of this vital part of our congregational life. Once again, members of the Women's Fellowship have stepped up to shepherd the program. Betty Keibler will continue to seek out "cooking teams," Becky Ackerman will help in the scheduling of servers, and with a state-of-the-art dishwashing machine – purchased by the Women's Fellowship – we will be moving toward a more environmentally sound operation. Help, of course, is always welcome. A call to the church office or a word to any of the members of the Women's Fellowship indicating a willingness to participate in the lunch program is all that it would take to follow in Hilda's footsteps

– John Canning

The Smithfield Women's Fellowship that is active today meets every Thursday at the church to knit, crochet, and quilt blankets for Project Linus, a nonprofit organization that provides handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. These women now have over forty blankets that will be delivered on November 7 to the local distribution center. This makes over 150 blankets that this amazingly talented group of women has made in a mere two years.

As well as blankets, the Women's Fellowship is now working on creating lap robes that will be delivered by Susan Cherian to Smithfield's shut-ins and the Fair Oaks community.

If anyone is interested in participating in any of these projects but simply cannot make it to the Thursday gatherings, don't let that deter you! The Women's Fellowship has plenty of yarn, fabric, and other supplies that can be distributed to those who would like to participate from home. Simply stop by the Women's Fellowship room before or after church on a Sunday, or see one of our Smithfield Women for more information.

During November, the Women's Fellowship will have a gift shop open in the Social Hall before and after Sunday worship. A variety of items – all perfect for Christmas gifts – will be available, including candles, kitchen knives, spatulas, and more.

FICTION: Saying yes to working with children is like signing my life away. I'll probably have to do it every Sunday all year long!

FACT: Not so! Depending on the role you choose, you'll be committing only to six Sundays in a row, three Sundays in a row, or even just one single Sunday at a time. The more leaders who come forward, the lighter everyone's commitment will be.

FICTION: Attending worship is the main reason I come to church at all. If I work with children, I'll have to miss the worship service!

FACT: Crisis averted. We are now offering Smithfield School, a dedicated hour of educational programs for children, youth, and adults which takes place every week at 9:30. Now you can work with kids and participate in worship, too.

FICTION: I like to serve on a hospitality team as an usher and greeter, and I won't be able to do that if I'm working with children.

FACT: Never fear. Smithfield School classes end at 10:30, leaving you plenty of time to serve in other volunteer roles, or to meet your friends in the Social Hall before worship.

FICTION: I don't think I want to be a teacher, so that must mean there's no place for me.

FACT: Not at all! We also need adults to serve as "shepherds," welcoming children to the second floor and helping out in the classrooms when needed. We also need "playtime assistants" to help supervise informal play in the gym during the worship hour. And if you have another idea about how you can help out, let us know. We'd love to include you!

FICTION: I'll have to write my own lesson plans, and that will take a long time. Plus, I don't know enough about the Bible to teach it to anyone else!

FACT: Don't worry. We'll provide detailed lesson plans and classroom materials, and we'll offer orientation sessions to familiarize you with the curriculum. While teachers will need to spend 30-60 minutes each week reviewing the lesson before Sunday morning, no advance preparation is required for the other roles.

FICTION: I don't have children of my own (or, my children are all grown up), so I wouldn't make a good leader.

FACT: Nonsense! We're all – men and women, younger people and older, parents and non-parents – welcome to help out. All of us together make up our church family, and our children are everyone's responsibility and everyone's delight.

To learn more about working with children, contact Liddy Barlow at 412-281-1811 or liddy@barlow.info.

A note from Conway:

It ain't easy becoming an octogenarian, but all of you softened the blow by your cards, greetings, and well-wishes. Put my 90th birthday on your calendars!

Love,
Conway Keibler

  – through you and me!

12/10/07
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