 from the June 2009 issue of The Spire
InSPIREd Dear Friends, Most of you are aware that my mother, Dorothy Patterson, died just a short time ago on April 28. She had suffered a serious stroke six months ago and spent her last days in hospitals and a nursing home. I want to let you know how much I, and my family, appreciate the outpouring of sympathy and compassion you have shown in the days since her death. Some of you traveled long distances to Grove City for the funeral or visitation to express your condolences, some sent flowers to the funeral home or to our residence, and so many of you sent beautiful cards. Words cannot express how much all of this means to me. So thank you ever so much!  On another note, we are moving into the summer months. Historically, these have been times of lower worship attendance and even lower levels of financial support for our ministries and operating expenses. I understand that there are a multitude of reasons why going to church over the summer is difficult. Vacations, reunions, graduation parties, cookouts, ball games . . . . All present diversions from regular worship patterns. But I urge you to attend when you can. Your summer experiences will be heightened when you stay spiritually involved. I also highly encourage you to continue your offerings and contributions as best you can. The current recession has impacted all of us in negative and disturbing ways. Our church is no different, and we are feeling the pinch. If you cannot attend worship it is important to maintain your giving by mailing your offerings to the church office. If you would like to make a special contribution, in addition to your regular pledges, to help us through these trying times, you can use the envelope included in this newsletter. We also have the capability of receiving gifts by electronic transfer (give us a call to learn more about this option). Even a small gift can make a big difference. Please know that I am grateful for your support. I know you'll have a great summer. So will I. And I'll see you in church! Sincerely, The Wall Came a-Tumblin' Down A year ago we launched the Jericho Campaign to raise the money our congregation committed to contribute to fund the planning process for repairs and renovations to our historic building. Our goal, $135,000, would augment the foundation grants we received ($240,000) and allow us to obtain from our consulting firm, Strada, the"shovel-ready" plans and specifications for doing the actual work once we find the sizeable external funds necessary. As we wind down the Jericho Campaign, I would like to express my deep appreciation to all those who helped with time and treasure to enable us to reach – indeed, to exceed – our goal of $135,000 in contributions and pledges in only one year's time. We had faith this could be done, and with God's help we did it!  The Jericho Committee included Diane Rigney and David Anderson, and both helped in immeasurable ways – some of them especially generous and totally unpublicized. Both also provided some Jericho moments on Sunday mornings. In addition, David Anderson and Jon Colburn built the striking Jericho Wall that we watched every week as the bricks fell. Rena Thomas faithfully did the accounting, always on time and with a smile despite the extra work it entailed. Thomm Blazina, John Axtell, Diana Ames, and Liddy Barlow (along with Art Salvatore) in particular helped with the book sale, but dozens more people brought in – or took home – books during that sale, and maybe did both on the same day. Those who established and contributed to the William Witte fund ten years ago made it possible for us to take down fifty (that's no misprint) bricks on one fine Sunday morning. Jim Varner was especially helpful in putting together the wonderful concert we had on March 2, but let's not forget that Jim (and Barbara Benvin in his absence) always had an imaginative musical postlude to our Jericho moments when bricks were removed. Doug Patterson gave the campaign the pastoral support from the pulpit that it needed in order to succeed. Jericho speakers included John Titus, Bob and Mary D'Angelo, Nathan Hart, Jim Varner, Peggy Neal, Conway Keibler, John Axtell, and perhaps some others I have forgotten in my dotage. (If I missed you, please let me know so I can acknowledge you publicly as well.) Most of all, I want to thank YOU: members, friends of the congregation, and in some cases total strangers. Your contributions, from $1 gifts to some very substantial ones, kept us moving toward our goal and affirmed our faith that we would make it. For me it was a privilege to watch this effort take root in our congregation, grow steadily, and finally reach full bloom on Palm Sunday with an empty board and a pile of bricks. Again, thank you. – Donn Neal Street Festivals Abound in June Strawberry Way will be alive with festivals in the month of June, and we hope you will be able to join us! First, on Friday, June 5, we will have our annual Strawberry Festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Welcome in the summer with the sweet taste of strawberry shortcake and strawberry sundaes and the smooth sound of live jazz. There are still many ways you can help out: please contact John Canning for more information. On Sunday, June 28, the churches and agencies of the Pittsburgh Downtown Ministerium will celebrate the second annual Ministerium Festival from noon to 2:30 p.m. Make new friends and reconnect with old ones as we all gather in Strawberry Way to share food, fun, and fellowship. Special activities will be available for children and youth. Sign up on the bulletin board in the social hall, or call the office to let us know you plan to attend. A Whale of an Adventure In recent weeks, our children age 3 to grade 3 have been learning the story of Jonah in Pilgrim Adventures, our educational program during the worship service. We experienced the storm at sea in which Jonah was tossed overboard, made puppet shows of the worm and the broom plant, and watched the VeggieTales movie of Jonah's story. On April 26, the 25-foot-long "great fish" that swallowed Jonah came to our gymnasium, and the kids got to crawl inside and see the world from Jonah's eyes. (See the photo story of the children's at first scary encounter with the watery monster.  Generosity and Commitment: The Third in a Series of Columns on Stewardship We have been a very fortunate couple: in regards to Christian stewardship, both of us were raised the same way. When we were kids, our parents taught us the joy of giving. I can still remember my father's instructions to me after I was confirmed at the age of twelve. In those days, stewardship envelopes were divided into two parts. The left half was designated "the local church." The right half was indicated "for mission." He carefully took the box of envelopes, which had been given to me by the pastor, and taught me how to calculate what each side should receive. In the meantime, unknown to me, out in Ohio, my future bride, Betty, was learning the same approach to stewardship from her parents. Not only were her parents regular contributors to their church, her father, in particular, was extremely active in community service. He was active in ministries to the poor and homeless. He even initiated a free clothing bank for indigent citizens. We tried to learn our lessons well. Throughout our fifty-four years together, we have maintained a tithe budget each year. In most recent years, we have kept a separate bank account for others. We label it our "Special Account," and on each pay day we deposit roughly 10 percent of our income in it. The largest proportion goes to Smithfield Church, but other causes benefit too. And the best part of all, it's fun. Actually we call it "joy," the Christian joy of giving. – Conway Keibler
In our church's 227-year history we have weathered many economic downturns. The most severe, of course, was the Great Depression of the early 1930s. Recently, we rediscovered a letter in the church archives mailed to the congregation on December 16, 1933, and reprinted below. While many things have changed since this letter was written, our commitment to our church and its mission remains the same. Dear member: Once again we are sending the pledge cards and weekly envelopes to the members of our congregation. We are still vitally interested in the recovery of all phases of life, and in this enterprise the church has a large part. Therefore we are asking your cooperation. Smithfield Church has never imposed a great financial burden on its members, but this does not relieve us from responsibility. To determine your contribution toward the church so that its programs may be carried out efficiently as yourself the question, "Would I desire to live in our city without a church?" and then give accordingly. In estimating the value of religion for the life of the individual and the upbuilding of the community, do not give less than you are expending for the luxuries and pleasure of life. While we know that some of our friends cannot make any material contribution at this time, we are urging them to continue to be under the spiritual influence of the church. Those, however, who are engaged in productive labor ought gladly assist in furthering our important work. Thirty cents per week is regarded as the average contribution required by the budget. Give conscientiously and welcome your opportunity to take part in a great enterprise. By order of the Church Council, Susan Cherian to be Guest Chaplain at Chautauqua This summer Rev. Susan Cherian will be the "chaplain of the week" at the United Church of Christ Society at the Chautauqua Institution from July 12 through July 18.  The chaplain of the week program offers a "mini-sabbatical" to nine UCC clergy each summer. Pastors from all over the country apply to the program. Susan's psychology practice, certification in yoga instruction, and ability to speak about her Indian heritage made her application stand out. Susan will preach at the society's Sunday morning worship service at 8:45 a.m. on July 12 and again at the Thursday Vespers service at 7 p.m. on July 16. She will have plenty of time to enjoy the lectures, arts events, recreational opportunities, and great conversation that are part of a Chautauqua experience. Several Smithfield members are longtime visitors to Chautauqua, including the Axtell and Brauchler families. Ruth Brauchler said she was excited to see Susan among the guest chaplains. "I think it's great," Ruth said. "I think she'll really enjoy it." Thirteen Pounds of Savings In April, we mailed 13 pounds of expired or expiring coupons to our military families overseas! Thank goodness for those flat rate packages and the donations of mailing money and coupons from all you! A second package is in the works for May. You can contribute coupons to the bag on the bulletin board in the social hall. Thanks again! – Mary D'Angelo Shelter Offers 2048 Warm Nights This winter the Severe Weather Emergency Shelter, operated by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services in conjunction with Mercy Hospital's Operation Safety Net, was open in our building on nights when the temperature fell below 25°. The shelter uses the church's basement level, including the gymnasium, kitchenette, showers, and storage areas. Shelter clients receive food, clothing, counseling, physical and mental health services, and – most important – warmth.  This year the shelter was open for 58 nights and served 537 clients. Because 49 percent of clients stayed more than two nights, the total number of visits to the shelter was 2,048. Among the clients were 67 women (who are housed at Bethlehem Haven), 47 veterans, 27 youth aged 18-25, and 46 people age 60 or more. Through the interventions of the emergency shelter, 75 of the clients were connected to permanent housing opportunities: 25 transferred to year-round shelters, 9 to transitional housing, and 46 to permanent homes. We are blessed to have the facilities to offer a temporary home to our neighbors in need. Welcome to Megan, Our New Nursery Supervisor In April we added a new member to our church staff: our nursery supervisor, Megan. Under her care, children from birth through age three can enjoy a happy, safe environment in the nursery while their parents attend Smithfield School and worship.  Megan has been working full-time in day care centers with infants and toddlers since 1996. In addition to her position at Smithfield, she works at Brightside Academy near the Smithfield Street bridge. She has an associate's degree as a social work technician from CCAC and has also studied child development and first aid. Megan said she has been enjoying her work at Smithfield so far. "I love it when the children are happy to see me," she said. "When I first started at the nursery, one of the children would cry when she first came in. But now she comes in and doesn't bat an eye. I hope to have the other children adapt to me soon as well." In her spare time, Megan enjoys going to concerts. She described herself as "a huge country music fan," and she will be attending the CMA Music Festival in Nashville this summer. Children from birth to age 3 are welcome in the nursery each Sunday morning. 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. Children to Remain in Worship During Summer Months  During the months of June, July, and August, children over age two will remain in the sanctuary with their families throughout the full worship service. With some help from the adults around them, children can be full participants in the worship experience. They can stand and sing hymns, join in the Prayer of Our Savior, follow along with scripture readings in the pew Bibles, come forward to share the sacrament of Holy Communion, drop a few coins in the offering plate, and bow their heads to pray. When you sit near a child, please encourage him or her to join you in the rhythms and rituals of worship. Be sure to pick up a worship activity bag for your family as you enter the sanctuary. The bags are full of books, coloring pages, activities, games, and toys to help children engage with the themes of each week's worship service. Please return the bags before going home. We look forward to worshipping with our Smithfield kids! (see the sitemap for earlier issues)
6/28/09 |
From a previous President's Pen: Staying Afloat in Hard Times
– through you and me!