from the January 2010 issue of The Spire

InSPIREd

Dear Friends,

"He who complains, sins."   — St. Francis De Sales

I was in the ninth grade, and I can remember clearly the day that our biology teacher came into the room and informed us of the death of Louis Washkansky. Only 54 years old, Mr. Washkansky had been stricken with diabetes and incurable heart disease. Without any real hope of cure or miracle he had agreed to undergo the world's first human-to-human heart transplant only eighteen days earlier on December 3, 1967. That radical, pioneering surgery was performed by Dr. Christian N. Barnaard, a South African, who became an international superstar and went on to blaze new trails in transplant technology.

Christian Barnaard (1922-2001) was the son of a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church. He had four brothers, one of whom died at the age of five with heart problems. Dr. Barnaard endured professional criticism and personal hardships, married and divorced three times through the years, but he continued to break new ground in transplant surgery while speaking out against apartheid in his native land. Asked about these difficulties and the impact they played in his life he replied, "Suffering isn't ennobling, recovery is."

This is a new year. Rise above your complaints!

Sincerely,
J. Douglas Patterson

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From the President's Pen

Dear Friends,

It is with deep regret that I have had to choose not to continue as a member of the Smithfield UCC Church Council and as President of the Congregation. It was a decision not easily reached. I went back and forth about the options many times. But after much prayerful pondering, I came to understand clearly that I needed to give myself permission to step aside.

As I informed the council a couple of months ago, since 1996 I have been living with RARS: the "refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts" version of Myelodysplastic Syndrome — a rare red cell disorder. Survival statistics at the time didn't look good, with five years the median life expectancy. However, the facts that I was only 56 when I was diagnosed, that I am female, that I have had no chromosomal abnormalities, that I have the RARS version, and that so far only the stem cells producing red cells are involved have all been in my favor and have been a blessing. I am now in the third month of my 14th year and am happily among a fairly elite group of survivors.

Briefly, a defect occurred in one of my bone marrow-residing stem cells that produce red cells, and from that point forward the red cells produced by that stem cell have carried the same defect. Further, the rogue stem cell produces more red cells that stay around longer in the bone marrow, that crowd out the healthy red cells, and that then tend to self-destruct. The rogue cells that do mature and reach the bloodstream generally do not work as well as do normal healthy cells.

From the summer of 2005 — when we came "home" to Pittsburgh and to Smithfield Church — and March of 2007, I maintained what for me were sufficient red cell levels with regular injections of Procrit. In April and again in May 2007, however, it became clearly evident to me — both physically and mentally — that I was no longer able to do so "on my own," and I began getting transfusions of red cells about every two and a half to three months. I am approaching the time, unpredictable as it is, when I'll have to cope with the removal of excess iron.

I care deeply about Smithfield United Church of Christ and for all of you. I will continue to participate in the life of the church and congregation in many ways. Most obviously I will continue serving on the hospitality team, doing the Website, and sending the VirtualSmithfield e-mails, but I anticipate other opportunities as well. Taking liberties with a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes: "I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes in the face of it, but we sail on." I am blessed to do my sailing with all of you.

May the peace of God that passes all understanding be with each one of you.

Peggy Neal
Retiring President of the Congregation

Pilgrim Adventures: Now For Adults, Too!

Each week, at the end of the children's time, Liddy says, "Let's go have a Pilgrim Adventure!" Have you ever wondered what that means?

Pilgrim Adventures is a time for exploring Bible stories through drama, games, film, art, cooking, and more. Usually, a single theme is followed over multiple weeks, explored in a new way each Sunday. Past themes have included the journeys of Paul, saints ancient and modern, and the books of the Bible. It sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Well, grown-ups, you are in luck! From January 10 through February 14, come to our adult Smithfield School class to experience Pilgrim Adventures for Grown-Ups! Each Sunday we will explore stories from the life of the prophet Elijah through activities that bring the Bible to life and engage all our learning styles. The children will be learning the same stories during the worship service, so families will be able to continue the conversation on the ride home from church.

Please join us as often as you can for this special opportunity.

Ice Fest for Children and Youth

This Camp Downtown Winter Event, hosted by First Lutheran Church, is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Children and youth in grades K-12 are invited to join in this year's event. The winter's theme is "Fire and Ice." In the morning, we will learn about Moses and the burning bush, and in the afternoon we will ice skate at PPG Place. Of course, there will be fiery red t-shirts! Watch for registration forms coming soon.

Giving Tree Reminds Us of the True Meaning of Christmas

Here we are, as Conway would remind us, at the close of Christmastide. Several days before Christmas it was my pleasure as Smithfield's go-fer to take a car filled with beautifully wrapped presents to 30 youngsters in the Mon Valley. For many years now the people at Smithfield have shared the message that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" with children and teenagers they know only by name. We have been fortunate to work with the Touching Families organization in McKeesport who provide us with the names of the recipients of our Giving Tree project.

This year the response to this project was better than ever. I simply want to thank all of the members of the congregation who took a star off the tree, shopped for an appropriate gift, wrapped it in an extraordinary way, and then brought it to the church so that it could reach that young person by Christmas Eve. This year there were more folks wishing to take part in the project than there were stars on the tree.

In many ways the Giving Tree might be better named "The Sharing Tree" in that Smithfielders chose to share the joy of Christmas by bringing a bit of happiness to a stranger. Again, a big THANK YOU to all who took part in this year's project.

And Now a New Opportunity for Giving: "Two Coats"

In one of the Gospel readings during Advent, the followers of John the Baptist were encouraged to share with those less fortunate. Remember? "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none (Luke 3:11)."

Listening to those words brought to mind the massive Salvation Army Bundle-Up project that provides winter coats for those who have none. During these winter months there are many homeless men and women staying at the County's cold weather shelter in Smithfield's gym who might need a coat or a sweater or a new pair of thick socks. During the months of January and February the Outreach committee of the congregation will place a box in the entrance to the sanctuary for donations of good sweaters and new pairs of socks, and, yes, a coat or jacket that can be shared with someone who could use it. These items will be given to the folks in charge of the cold weather shelter or some of the other shelters in the city.

— John Canning

On Valentine's Day, show your love for your friends, family members, and neighbors by sending a Valentine Care Package from the Smithfield UCC youth group! Each package will contain sweet treats and a personalized card. The packages will be hand-delivered to the recipient on Valentine's Day, or sent by U.S. Mail to out-of-town addresses. The cost is $8 for local packages and $11 for those being sent by mail.

All proceeds will support the youth trip to the UCC Mid-Atlantic Regional Youth Gathering in Annville, PA this summer. To purchase a care package, return the order form (link to pdf version of form) with payment to the church office no later than February 1. (Checks should be made out to "Smithfield UCC" with "youth" on the memo line)

An idea floating about Smithfield's Strategic Plan for a few years turned into a trial run in 2008 and morphed into a truly successful event this past Advent: the German Christmas Markt. So many folks in the congregation helped in various ways that made this year's Christmas Markt a wonderful community event.

Hats off to the organizing group who worked on various aspects of the Markt since the late summer. They were Mariruth Keebler, Connie Connelly, and Diana Ames. As Markt time approached, Carl Hughes arranged for a super sign to be posted in the front of the church.

Art Salvatore was there every day to help in many ways that made the Markt run as smoothly as it did. Mary and Bob D'Angelo took on the role of church greeters and gave visitors an information sheet about who we are and what we are about as a congregation. Rena Thomas, our super Steeler fan, kept the finances under control.

The Markt also provided a catalyst for the Women's Fellowship, who sold crafts and chances on the terrific gift baskets they had on display, and for our Youth Group, who sold freshly-baked brownies and cookies, hot out of the oven!

We all worked well together and look forward to the 2010 Markt. Any suggestions for improving the event are always welcome.
— John Canning

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2/8/10
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