 from the July 2009 issue of The Spire
InSPIREd Dear Friends,  I have been privileged over the years to have known and worked with several prominent people, one of whom was the late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. He was probably the most famous clergyman of this generation, catapulted to that lofty height upon the publication of his book The Power of Positive Thinking some fifty years ago. He pastored Marble Collegiate Church in New York City and was the founder of Guideposts, a devotional booklet that has the seventh largest circulation of any magazine in America. Prior to my ministry at Smithfield, I was a speaker and workshop leader for his School of Practical Christianity and went on to become the Director of Outreach Ministries for Guideposts, Inc. One day I was with Dr. Peale in his office and he said to me, "Doug, you know I have never gotten over my inferiority complex. Every time somebody invites me to speak or preach my first thought always is 'why would you want me?'" I almost fell out of my chair! Here was the godfather of the modern self-help movement telling me that he had never been "cured." So what hope was there for me? I've since come to understand what he was trying to tell me that day. We become better people when we realize that our problems and fears never really go away. God doesn't vaporize them, leaving us with no memory or ill effects. Instead, spiritual maturity and faith give us the tools we need to deal with them on an as-needed basis. Recognition, forgiveness, prayer, positive thinking: all are instruments that we employ in the symphony that is our life. And successful management of our problems gives us the gift of empathy and compassion for others whom we recognize as going through the same things. We become more helpful and understanding. An awareness of and relationship with God raises us above the fray and makes us more complete. Remember: your problems, fears, and anxieties are nothing but mere portals into the beauty that is your life. Sincerely, Freezers Given to Food Pantry Our food pantry got a lot cooler in June with the arrival of two new freezers and two mobile shelving racks, given to us at no cost by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Emergency Response Fund.  The freezers allow us to offer a wider variety of meats as well as other frozen foods. For example, in June we were able to give each client a 4 lb bag of chicken thighs, a pack of breakfast pork patties, and a 5 lb. bag of French fries in addition to the usual selection of canned goods, rice, beans, milk, granola bars, toiletries and more. Meanwhile, the two large wheeled shelving units will allow us more easily to move nonperishable items from the storage room on the fifth floor to the distribution area. Our pantry, one of more than 350 member agencies of the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, supplies needy downtown residents with groceries every five weeks. Over 230 people have visited the pantry so far this year. 57% are senior citizens and 34% are disabled. Rena Thomas said she is excited about the opportunity to provide more complete meals to her clients: "[The freezers] enable me to offer a whole meal – meat, two vegetables, and dessert rather than just a few items." Note: At each meeting of the Church Council, Rena presents a report of the most recent Help Week statistics. These are posted on the "Outreach" page of this website. Cyclists Plan Pit Stop at Smithfield  A group of 32 young college graduates are biking their way from Boston to Santa Barbara as part of the "Bike and Build" program. At a number of places on the transcontinental trek, the bikers take time to help with building affordable housing. They work with Habitat for Humanity as well as other organizations that focus on getting families with limited incomes into decent and affordable homes. Sometimes they speak at events to raise public awareness about the need for housing. They arrive in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, July 1, and they will be staying at Smithfield for two nights: sort of a rest and repair stop for these serious bikers. We will be preparing a dinner that first evening for the group. They will be taking the next day as a day to rest or see "the Burgh." Bright and early on July 3, they head west. Here is a great opportunity for our congregation to be supportive of the "Bike to Build" program. If you wish to get to know these folks, come on down to dinner on the 2nd. We will be preparing a pasta (veggie) dinner for them. If you would like to help with the dinner, either with goodies (especially cookies and/or breakfast muffins and bagels) or with the meal's preparation, please call the church office, 412-281-1811 or John Canning. Visit the Bike and Build website. Generosity and Commitment Our comments this month come from David Anderson and Jon Colburn: David writes: "Where one spends one's money grows out of one's values and beliefs. What do I value in Smithfield United Church of Christ? The sense of loving community; the inclusiveness of the congregation; the open intellectual pursuit of Christianity, the lovely worship space; the encouragement of children; and the thrilling organ, piano, and vocal music. I believe that giving can help to foster these things. I also think that giving is good for the giver. Giving can help to break self-centeredness and selfishness. And it feels good. What might we otherwise buy with the dollars that we give to Smithfield – DVDs, CDs, an additional car payment? I gain greater value from the gift to the church."  Jon writes, "'Pledge n: A binding promise or agreement to do.' Giving money to my church is not enough: I believe I must pledge money. Not that giving is not needed or desirable, and ongoing giving should be encouraged. But a pledge adds the ability for the church to create a credible budget. If the treasurer has an idea at the start of the year what has been pledged, the church will have a better idea how it can best fulfill its mission based on resources promised. In my adulthood I have been a pledging member of four United Church of Christ congregations. My belief in what has become known as Extravagant Welcome in the UCC compels me not just to give but to pledge to Smithfield United Church of Christ, my UCC home in Pittsburgh." – David and Jon Strawberry Festival Delivers the Sweet Taste of Spring Q: What came from a congregational brainstorming planning session a few – nay, more than a few – years ago and has become a "dahntahn" tradition? A: Smithfield's Strawberry Festival on Strawberry Way! The 2009 festival, held as always on the first Friday of June, was a great success for all. With festival-perfect weather and a super front-page bit of P.R. arranged by Rena Thomas, we were set for a sellout. And a sellout it was, down to the last drop of strawberry juice atop a mound of ice cream.  Many thanks to the Smithfield members and friends who made it all possible. Mariruth Keebler baked a pile of great cakes. Ruth Brauchler and Betty Keibler cleaned, sliced, and chopped 50 pounds of luscious red, ripe strawberries. Art Salvatore, David Edwards, Robert Boren, and Thomm Blazina set up and took down the festival site in Strawberry Way. Lauraine Duncan arranged for Horace Turner's great jazz group and the balloons too. The servers (Diana Ames, Saani Bukva-Strucaly, Ann Canning, and Judy Kehm) worked from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. scooping ice cream, ladling berries, and dishing out whipped cream. At the cash box were Donn Neal and Charlie Brauchler. Thomm Blazina and John Canning served as runners. Doris Duncan headed the Women's Fellowship table where Smithfield's new cookbooks were marketed. Once again our neighbors at the Smithfield Café brought in a great buffet of lunch items. All in all, it was a great group effort in reaching out to the downtown work force! In keeping with these traditions, put a circle around Friday, October 2, for the Apple Festival and December 2, 3, and 4 for the Smithfield German Christmas Market. – John Canning (see the sitemap for earlier issues)
7/28/09 |
– through you and me!