 from the March 2010 issue of The Spire
InSPIREd Dear Friends, I have three younger brothers and, as you can imagine, the four of us in our childhood and youth used to push our mother's patience to the brink each and every day. Seemingly nothing she said or did could cause us to change our irritating, and sometimes malicious, behavior until these words came from her mouth: "I have had it!" And then we knew. Anything we did beyond that point was destined for certain and severe punishment. "I have had it!" I say those words from time to time. Two nights ago I couldn't get my car out of the driveway. After more than an hour of sliding and spinning, I said those words. Every once in awhile, after a particularly difficult meeting or encounter, I say those words. Sometimes after paying bills and balancing the checkbook, I say those words. Whenever my patience and endurance have worn thin, I say those words.  When the disciples fell asleep in the garden. When Judas kissed him on the cheek. When the whip fell upon his back. When the nails were pounded through his hands. When they gambled for his clothes. When the sword thrust into his side. He never said those words. Love is patient. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. Love never gives up. Consider the possibility this year that Easter just might be more than a celebration of new life. It's possible that it could cause us to think about patience, tolerance, inclusion, endurance, and love. Christ is Risen! Sincerely, Special Worship Events Planned for Holy Week! As the season of Lent continues, we look forward to Holy Week. Please join us for these special events. On Palm Sunday, March 28, our 11 a.m. worship service will feature a joyous procession with palm branches and special music by the Smithfield Drum Troupe. (If you would like to be part of the drum troupe, it's not too late! Speak with Doug Patterson for more details.) We will gather at 7:30 p.m. on April 1 to commemorate Maundy Thursday and share the Lord's Supper. Our Good Friday worship service, a time of reflection on Jesus' passion, will take place at 12:10 p.m. on April 2. People of all ages are welcome to join in the fun on Easter Sunday, April 4, 9:45 a.m., for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. This event is fun for the whole family. Sign up in the Social Hall to join in the search for eggs! Following the egg hunt, we will celebrate the resurrection of Christ with a joyful Easter worship service at 11 a.m. featuring special music, Holy Communion and the blooming of the A . . . . . . a flowers
Organ Project Update  Adkins and Associates, the firm doing the cleaning and repairs to the organ, are ready to re-install the pipes. However, there have been serious problems with the plasterer's scheduling, and he has not been able to get the plaster repair work done as of this writing. This puts us more than three weeks behind, and consequently, there is a strong likelihood that the organ will not be ready in time for Easter. The choir is, however, busy on Palm Sunday and Easter anthems, and regardless of the status of the organ, there will be great music during Holy Week and Easter. We hope to see a full church! – Jim Varner
Dear Friends, In writing my first letter to the congregation, I thought I would try and introduce myself for those people who don't know very much about me. My life outside of Smithfield generally consists of working as a speech-language pathologist and enjoying any number of outdoor activities that have been put on hold as of late thanks to an abundance of white stuff in the way. I have been a member of Smithfield UCC since just after getting married about five years ago. In my time at Smithfield, I have had the opportunity to co-teach a confirmation class with Doug, sing in the choir, co-lead the youth group with Nathan Hart, and serve on the Education Team. I have been on church council for a few years, and I have been continually impressed with the diversity of personalities and backgrounds represented on the council. For me, that's what makes Smithfield so great and is the main reason I have chosen this congregation as my church family. For me, Smithfield UCC is one of the best parts of Pittsburgh. It's a place where anyone can come to worship, laugh, and share in fellowship, no matter what. Having grown up in a Quaker tradition, I appreciate greatly the importance of inclusion and openness within a congregation, and that is one of Smithfield's many strengths. As president of the congregation, I hope I can live up to the great history of our church and serve in a fashion befitting such an amazing congregation. I look forward to learning through the process and, hopefully, getting to know my church family even better. Yours sincerely, Meet the Members of Your Church Council Our 2010 church council was voted into office at the congregational meeting of January 10. Connie Connelly chairs the church's personnel committee. "It is my hope in 2010 that the personnel of our church continue to work well together and with the members and that we are able to appropriately provide for that to happen," she said. "I also hope that we can work creatively to attract new members to Smithfield." Connie and her husband Bill are enjoying retirement. "My once small family is growing quickly and this Nana loves every minute of it. I just wish [my grandchildren] were in town, but traveling is fun," she said. Jason Miller is new to the church council. "I am a truly local member by being a downtown resident, able to walk to the church within 10 minutes," he said. Jason was first attracted to Smithfield because of its warm, friendly, welcoming congregation. "I grew up a member of a fundamental church in upstate New York and have always enjoyed, since childhood, the traditional hymns of our faith," he said. "Also, I enjoy history and delight in the rich history and German heritage of our church." Jason is a supervisor at BNY Mellon. Regina Sewall has been on council since fall 2006 and chairs the hospitality program at Smithfield. "When I was looking to join a church I read about the United Church of Christ and their philosophy that wherever you are on your journey you are welcome. This is certainly true about Smithfield," she said. "I think we have the best combination of personnel and programs possible at Smithfield, and I want all of us to work toward maintaining these." Regina is a teacher in a remedial reading and math program; she is married, mother of two grown sons, and has three grandchildren. She loves to read, sew, travel, hike, and canoe. Rebecca Senkowicz has been on church council for one year; she is active in our lunch program and educational ministries. "I attend Smithfield because it is open to everyone," she said. "It's an inclusive church that teaches compassion. I hope to see membership and attendance increase in the next year." Rebecca and her husband Ben have two sons, Sam and Brian. She enjoys making quilts, working on old houses (her own!), and baking treats. Read about more church council members in the next issue of The Spire! Shelter Offers Refuge from Winter Chill Allegheny County's Severe Weather Emergency Shelter is open in our church's lower level on nights when the temperature falls below 25°. Operated by Operation Safety Net, the shelter offers a warm place to sleep, an evening meal, free clothing and blankets, a hot shower, counseling, and medical services. Last year, it served 537 clients, including many who usually prefer sleeping outside to staying in a shelter. Men are housed here at Smithfield, while women are offered separate accommodation at Bethlehem Haven. We spoke with Linda Sheets, the program director, to learn more about the shelter. Q: What is the history of the Severe Weather Emergency Shelter?  A: The program was started by the Allegheny County Bureau of Hunger and Homelessness at least 15 years ago, and has taken place at Smithfield United Church of Christ for about ten years. We [Operation Safety Net] were asked to manage the facility about four years ago. We knew we could not do this ourselves, so we identified key partners in the community: Shepherd's Heart, Miryams, the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, as well as businesses like Highmark and Verizon and area churches, who help provide the food. It's really been a wonderful service to people who need care off the streets, for survival, and for the human connection. Smithfield Church, and specifically Rena, has been wonderful to work with. Rena deserves the highest praise for her help. Q: What is the shelter experience like for the people who stay here? A: The main area we use is the gymnasium; they have the liberty of choosing a place to sleep and picking out blankets. As soon as they come in they can have a meal: we do not have any rules before receiving a meal or medical care or a hot shower. They are free to come and go from the shelter until 10 p.m. If they want to go outside, they can do that. I think that [freedom] is probably unique. They are free also to socialize with others, watch TV, or play a game of cards. Because there is less control of their private time, they respect the staff and there are fewer arguments. Given the number of individuals we serve, we are pleasantly surprised by the low rate of violent incidents. Q: How has the economic recession impacted the shelter? A: Most of the individuals we serve are very poor. They were poor before the economic downturn, so falling interest rates, home foreclosures, and business failures do not affect them. However, it's been a stressful time for the newly homeless, who ask "How did I get into this situation?" We have seen some positive things happen because of the stimulus package: new housing options have come forward in Pittsburgh. Thanks to additional FEMA money, we've been able to increase the temperature threshold, so more individuals have been served, and fewer are on the streets. Q: How can members of Smithfield UCC be of the most help to the shelter? A: There are two different ways you might help. One is to provide breakfast food: fresh fruit, granola or cereal bars, packages of juice or water. Another is to give thermal underwear, or general underwear. It gives people a sense of dignity to be able to take a shower and change their clothes. Financial donations are always appreciated, too. Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?A: Thank you for use of the facility. Our clients are very willing to enter the doors of a church; it eliminates the barrier of them not receiving care. We've saved a lot of lives. Feed Jesus' Sheep with One Great Hour of Sharing In his final moments with his disciples, the Good Shepherd asks Peter, "Do you love me?" "Yes," Peter replies. Then, "Feed my lambs," Jesus tells him. "Tend my sheep." Three times, Jesus passionately repeats his instruction, pressing his followers: If you love me, take care of the people I love. (John 21:15-19) The members of the family of God, including those in parts of the world we may never visit, are God's flock, the sheep of God's pasture. Yet, God's flock is often forcefully scattered as people are chased from their homes and livelihoods by brutal expressions of war, or as communities are blasted by natural disasters, or as societies and countries are ground down by unrelenting hunger, disease, and poverty.  On Sunday, March 21, you'll have an opportunity to offer your gift to One Great Hour of Sharing, empowering the United Church of Christ to offer disaster relief and refugee aid, meeting basic needs in Christ's name throughout the world.
In challenging times, we often wonder how much we can afford to sacrifice to help feed Jesus' beloved sheep, when our needs remain pressing. The current economic situation is challenging for many of us. For many others, it has pushed beyond challenging to be life-threatening. Heed Jesus' call to feed his sheep with a generous, even sacrificial, gift to One Great Hour of Sharing. Your gifts will meet compelling needs while also bringing the blessing of compassion into your own lives. Sharing your resources, you'll change lives – including your own. Giving-boxes will be distributed to children and adults on Sunday, February 28, and the offering will be received on March 21. For a calendar that offers suggestions for giving amounts each day, visit OGHS Sharing Calendar. Donate Bridal Gowns to Help Lydia's Place  Lydia's Place, Inc., a member agency of the Pittsburgh Downtown Ministerium, is sponsoring a sale of new and gently used bridal wear from April 7-11 at the Mall at Robinson. They are accepting donations of new and used bridal gowns less than ten years old, mother-of-the-bride or women's formal wear (cocktail dresses are great), bridesmaid/prom or flower girl/First Communion dresses, wedding accessories (gloves, veils, slips, place cards, favors, etc.). Donations are tax-deductible and can be dropped off at Lydia's Place's uptown office. Call 412-391-1013 for more information. Proceeds support Lydia's Place's efforts to help incarcerated women and their families.  We celebrate with the Rev. John Titus, a member of our church who was ordained to ministry on February 21. John is serving as interim pastor of First United Church of Christ of Harrison City, PA. (see the sitemap for earlier issues)
3/26/10 |
From the President's Pen
– through you and me!