Dear Friends,

It's all relative. Current public outrage regarding troubled AIG giving $165 million in bonuses to corporate executives, after receiving $170 billion in federal bailout monies, is well deserved. That funding was supposed to help the general economy, not enable the purchases of new Maseratis and beach homes. But, really, I hear the same argument almost every day, just in different form: "I don't give money to panhandlers because they buy cheap whiskey instead of food." It's all about self-righteous control, arrogance and indignation. And mostly it's all relative.

4,258 American lives have been lost in the War in Iraq. And the Washington Post reported recently that this same war costs us $720 million a day. That's $500,000 per minute. Per minute! The AIG bonuses we're so worked up about equal a grand total of 5.5 hours of armed conflict, not even a drop in the bucket in the scheme of things. So which should bring the greater voice of outrage from the church? I tell you, it's all relative. Our priorities have to be examined and our voices need to be unleashed.

The resurrection themes of the United Church of Christ are freedom and responsibility. The stone was not rolled away so that we could spend a day eating hard boiled eggs and chocolate bunnies. Resurrection opened the portal of justice and sensibility. Jesus said something about specks and logs.

I tell you, it's all relative.

Sincerely,
J. Douglas Patterson

Buy Stock That Never Fails

Financial news has been a depressing topic lately. Businesses are failing, unemployment is up, and the stock market is down. But the Smithfield UCC youth group has great news for you. They are offering shares of Mission Trip Stock: stock shares with value that will never decrease!

As a shareholder, you will make our summer mission trip to Washington, D.C., possible. We will be traveling to our nation's capital from July 31 through August 5 to serve in soup kitchens and homeless shelters. We will also visit the city's museums and monuments.

Shareholders will receive an elegant stock certificate, a postcard from D.C., and an invitation to our Shareholder's Meeting in September, when we will share our photos, stories, and experiences from our trip. Each share of stock costs only $10. Purchase a few for yourself, and give shares as gifts to your friends and neighbors!

To learn more, stop by our table in the Social Hall on March 29, April 5, and April 12. You can also fill out the form here and return it to the church office.

Holy Week Happenings

As the season of Lent continues, we look forward to Holy Week. Please join us for these special events.

On Palm Sunday, April 5, our 11:00 a.m. worship service will feature a joyous procession with palm branches.

We will gather at 7:30 p.m. on April 9 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 10.

People of all ages are welcome to join in the fun on Easter Sunday, April 12, at 9:45 a.m. in our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Sign up in the Social Hall to join the fun!

Following the egg hunt, we will celebrate the resurrection of Christ with a joyful Easter worship service featuring special music and Holy Communion.

From the President's Pen: Coming to the end of our Jericho journey

Dear Friends,

I begin with an abbreviated history.

A 2005-06 study of the Smithfield Church building not only confirmed that its restoration and renovation were necessary, but set forth a comprehensive list of the actions required to make our church safe and easily accessible for all - whether they come to worship, to study, to receive counsel, to gather, to find refuge from the cold, to receive life-sustaining food.

In 2007 the building needed to be shrouded in netting because of the risk to passers-by of falling masonry. Also in 2007 Strada, a well-regarded architecture and interior design firm, was engaged to determine physical and systems deficiencies, programmatic needs, and life safety improvements - at a cost of $375,000. We sought grants toward this sum from local foundations, pledging the congregation's intent to raise funds internally as evidence of its commitment to the project, to honoring its history, and to ensuring the future of Smithfield Church in downtown Pittsburgh. $240,000 in grants were received, leaving the congregation to raise $135,000.

On April 15, 2008, Smithfield members and friends on our church mailing list received an invitation to participate in a "Journey to Jericho." Sunday, April 20, those in attendance for morning worship observed the unveiling of our Jericho "wall" with its 135 bricks to be taken down, each brick representing the combined receipt of $1000. We were able immediately to remove 31 bricks already donated or pledged by members of the Council, staff, and Project Jericho committee members.

As you know from my February President's message, the discovery that the $50,000 William Witte Memorial Fund was to be used to help Smithfield Church provide for better access within our building meant that we could immediately remove 50 bricks from the wall, leaving us with only $8000 more to be raised in donations and pledges.

Thanks to the generosity and sacrifice of so many members and friends of the congregation the end of our journey is imminent.

Before closing, I remind you of a story Donn Neal told in his first "Jericho Moment."

A Civil War soldier serving on the front in South Carolina learned from a letter sent by his brother and sisters in Slippery Rock that they were collecting funds to buy their parents a new carpet. He wrote back, "I doubt the carpet will benefit me much but I want the rest of you to live comfortable [and] especially do I wish the declining years of our dear Parents to be full of joy and comfort." He enclosed his entire month's pay of twenty dollars. Five dollars, he instructed, was to be used for their parents' new carpet. The remaining fifteen was to be donated toward the building of the family's new church in Slippery Rock. He wrote: "If I don't return to get the benefit of that somebody else will and the money will be well spent."

We have been the beneficiaries of all those Smithfield folks who preceded us. We are ensuring that those who come after us will benefit from our commitment, our sacrifices. Thank you for demonstrating in ways large and small that Smithfield United Church of Christ - an inclusive congregation, committed to oneness in Christ across all boundaries of race, social class, culture, gender, sexual identity, and disability - has an ongoing role to play in our lives and in the life of this city. May we be blessed and inspired as we seek to do God's work in this place of worship and to serve with love all those people of God who come here.

Faithfully,
Peggy Neal, President of the Congregation

Nursery Offers Warm Welcome, Toy-filled Fun to Our Little Ones

On Sunday mornings, our youngest Smithfielders can find a warm welcome in our nursery, located on the second floor just off the sanctuary stairs. The nursery offers a safe, enjoyable environment for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3. We recommend that children remain in the nursery until they are toilet trained; at that point, they should join the older children for Smithfield School, Children's Chapel, and Pilgrim Adventures.

This spring, Lauren Frankhouser, pictured at right, will be supervising the nursery as her schedule allows. Lauren is a sophomore at Duquesne University, where she is majoring in occupational therapy and minoring in business. She grew up attending a United Church of Christ congregation in central Pennsylvania and has a great deal of experience working with children as a baby-sitter and at summer camps. "I was interested in working at Smithfield UCC because I wanted to get more involved [with the local community]," Lauren said. "I love working with kids, so the nursery position is a good fit for me."

So far Lauren says she has been enjoying her work in the nursery. "My favorite part about working in the nursery is playing with the children," Lauren said. "I love to see them so enthusiastic about coloring and reading stories!"

At Spire press time we are still interviewing candidates to work in the nursery throughout the summer and to fill in for Lauren on weeks when she's not available. Look for more details in our next issue.

Generosity and Commitment: The first in a series of columns on stewardship

I wanted to take a moment and thank you, the members and friends of Smithfield United Church of Christ, for your generosity this past year. For 2008, I am pleased to say that Smithfield was a very generous congregation, and this shows from the many gifts of time, talent, and money that we have received. I know that this generosity will continue. Last year we kicked off the Jericho campaign, and the congregation responded to that call with gifts to the campaign. It is also wonderful news that Smithfield is listed as a 5 for 5 Congregation in the United Church of Christ, where we supported the four special offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, Neighbors in Need, Strengthen the Church, and the Christmas Fund, along with supporting the UCC's Wider Mission.

Someone at Smithfield asked me about the Stewardship Committee and thought that we only really did stewardship one time each year: during the fall stewardship campaign. I remember that several years ago, I finally gained an understanding that stewardship is not a one time event, but rather a year-long and life-long commitment. In Second Corinthians, the apostle Paul says that God loves a joyful giver, and that theme is one that is ingrained in my heart. The reason why I give to Smithfield is that I have received many blessings from God, and I need to give back to God.

There are too many ministries that Smithfield does to list them all in this brief note. The food pantry/walk in ministry is a vital one, because I believe that we are called to help those in need. I work downtown, and when I leave to go home in the winter, I will notice the men who are lining up in front of Smithfield to see if they will have a warm place to spend the night. Our building is a gift to these men, and our building is vital to this ministry.

The reason why I completed a commitment/ pledge card is that I find it is too easy to forget my checkbook or have other priorities. By making this commitment, I find that my first commitment that I have is giving back to God by supporting the ministries at Smithfield.

Throughout the year, you will continue to hear about special offerings that we will be receiving and the continued generosity that we have at Smithfield United Church of Christ.

Peace,
John Titus

Share the Adventure

Beginning on Sunday, April 19 and continuing through May 31, the adult Smithfield School class will be reading Holy Adventure: 41 Days of Audacious Living, by Bruce Epperly. Written as a progressive alternative to Rick Warren's The Purpose-Driven Life, Holy Adventure invites readers to join in adventuring with God as our partner and co-creator, deepening our faith as we come to a better understanding of the meaning of our lives. Each day, Epperly offers prayers, scripture study, meditations, and activities for us to use to deepen our relationship with God.

The class will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. in the library, with leadership shared between Liddy Barlow and class members. All class participants are encouraged to purchase their own copy of Holy Adventure so they can more fully participate in this experience. If you order by April 5, the book will be available at the discounted price of only $7! (The sticker price is $15.) Please sign up in the Social Hall or contact Liddy if you would like to order a copy. Although consistent attendance is encouraged, you do not need to commit to attend every week between Easter and Pentecost to be part of the group or to make buying this book worthwhile.

News From Our Church Family

Longtime Smithfield member Ken Fickley died on February 28. He joined our church in 1955 and was active in the men's group and as an usher and greeter. "He was an all-around good person," remembered Ruth Keating. "He was always very congenial, smiling and helpful. He made everyone feel welcome and at home. " Ken was a newspaper journalist and enjoyed building clocks and bowling. Our prayers and sympathies are with Dee, his wife of sixty years.

We recently learned of the death of church member Gloria Stout on January 5. Gloria, one of fifteen siblings, worked at PNC Bank and was an avid photographer. Her husband George will be in our prayers.

We extend our sympathies to Deb Cecotti, whose brother Howard "J.R." Tasker died in a tragic fire on March 16.

Heidi Hankins had surgery at the end of February. She has recently returned home to Serenity Pines. We wish her well as she continues to recuperate.

Our prayers are with longtime member Betty Hanzel, who is in poor health. Betty is staying with her daughter, Bonnie.

Rev. Doug Patterson's mother, Dot Patterson, continues in nursing care in Grove City after her stroke in November.

Edgar Duncan was an honoree at the 8th annual Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Public Service Awards. Congratulations, Edgar!

Christie Solomon was elected to Sigma Kappa at Duquesne University. She also made the dean's list.

Ramona Patterson squatted 248 pounds at a powerlifting meet on February 28. Her previous best was 165! Great job, Ramona!

Women's Fellowship Seeks New Members for Crafting, Charity, and Conversation

Fleecy truck patterns, soft flannel teddy-bear prints, and colorful yarn knotted with love: these are the ingredients of the blankets Smithfield Women's Fellowship is making for the baby clinic at East End Cooperative Ministry. The clinic serves a very needy population of babies and their mothers, many of them young and unmarried. Our blankets bring them warmth and hope!

Women's Fellowship meets at the church every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sew, share lunch, and chat. If you are not able to come to our Thursday meetings, you can still be part of the group by working on quilts at home and helping out with special events on Sunday mornings.

The group is now collecting membership dues for 2009: only $3 for the year! Dues are an important source of income for our blanket supplies and special events. People of all ages are welcome to join. Men are welcome, too!

If you would like more information about Women's Fellowship, please speak with Betty Keibler, Doris Duncan, or Ruth Brauchler.

Have Summer Fun at Camp Downtown

Camp Downtown, a Vacation Bible School program for campers entering grades K-6 and youth counselors entering grades 7-12, will return this summer the week of June 22-26. Our theme will be "Growing With God" as we explore Biblical stories through games, crafts, music, and other activities. Each day will also feature a field trip to destinations throughout downtown and beyond!

Camp Downtown is sponsored by all the churches of the Downtown Ministerium, so it is a great way to make new friends. For more information, please speak with Liddy Barlow.

Archives Welcomes First Researcher

The Smithfield Archives, on the sixth floor of the tower, now has its first researcher: a student from Duquesne University, Sara McGuire (pictured at right). She is researching Smithfield's records for a paper that will focus on how our current building reflected the needs of the times as viewed by church leaders. Minutes of the Property, Building, and Architect Committees from the early 1920s have been most useful to her.

– Donn Neal

Share Your Opinions and Make a Difference

If you could have anything you wanted for lunch after church, what would you order? If you were to design the most fascinating Smithfield School class ever, what topic would it be about? Share your answers this spring. During worship services on March 29 and April 26, you'll find a survey inserted in your bulletin, Return it to the box in the narthex before you leave. If you missed worship and would like to fill out a survey, please call the church office.

Jericho Concert Brings Heavenly Music to Our Sacred Space

Over one hundred listeners gathered at Smithfield on March 2 to enjoy a benefit concert for Project Jericho. They were treated to virtuoso performances by Louis Lev (violin) and Gretchen van Hoesen (harp) of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Recordings of the concert were featured all week on WQED-FM radio.