 from the August/September 2007 issue of The Spire
InSPIREd Dear Friends, I love the blues. I listen to it at home, in my car (nothing like a little BB King when you're backed up on the parkway) and in my office. But I prefer to listen to the blues live and in person. There's just something about that interactive experience that makes the music really mean something. Unfortunately, opportunities to hear excellent blues musicians in our area are quite limited. A few clubs/cafes advertise blues music but only one, in Blawnox, can truly claim to be a bona fide blues club. And the Pittsburgh Blues Festival only comes around once a year. So the times I do get to hear live blues are special. I've noticed something when I'm around the "blues crowd." We're all so different. There's no apparent connecting thread. Nobody would ever guess, by looking at us, that we share anything in common. Yet we do – we love the music. And it's the variations in our taste that make things really interesting. Some prefer Chicago blues and some prefer Delta. I happen to appreciate electric blues, others like acoustic. When it gets right down to it, however, it doesn't matter. We share something in common. One of our staff members, Liddy Barlow, reminded us at a recent staff retreat that in the United Church of Christ we are not "creedal" people, bound together by a set of stated beliefs, but "covenantal" people, bound together by who we are: people of God. 
Our heritage includes the early Congregationalist churches, who adopted covenants instead of creeds as the basis of their faith communities. One of the earliest covenants, written in 1629, is known as the Salem Covenant, from the first non-separatist, congregationally-organized Puritan church in America. It reads: We covenant with the Lord and one with another and do bind ourselves in the presence of God, to walk together in all his ways, according as he is pleased to reveal himself unto us in his blessed word of truth. We're all different at Smithfield, but we have something in common: we love God and we want to grow in truth. Our covenant is to support each other in the journey. Sincerely, From the new Minister of Music
I have also been charged to oversee the process of restoration of our magnificent pipe organ. This is a big project and will take some time to achieve. As a first step, we will need to form an Organ Restoration Committee to steer the project. From that point, we will gather information from various companies, consider funding options, and finally make decisions on these issues. There is the possibility of using a digital instrument while the work is being done. In any event, to finally hear the Smithfield organ once again in its full glory is our goal. However, wherever we are in the process of choir-building and organ restoration, I am looking forward to helping create meaningful and beautiful worship experiences in the truly awesome sanctuary of Smithfield Church. Peace, Upcoming events in celebration of our 225th Anniversary 
September 16 – Andy Masich, President and CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center will be giving a presentation before worship. Devoted to the history and heritage of Western Pennsylvania, the History Center is located in the city's historic Strip District. September 23 – Bill Strickland, CEO of the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild will be our guest speaker. The Guild is a "multi-discipline, minority-directed center for arts and learning that employs the visual and performing arts to foster a sense of accomplishment and hope in the urban community." September 20 – Joanne Rogers will be the guest speaker. Mrs. Rogers is the wife of the late Fred Rogers and a classically trained pianist. She chairs the board of Family Communications, Inc., the nonprofit organization that Fred founded in 1971 to support the healthy emotional, social, and intellectual development of children. October 7 – World Wide Communion Sunday is one of the most venerable of the "special" Sundays in the church calendar. This day has taken on new relevancy and depth of meaning in a world where globalization has often undermined peace and justice. On this day, we celebrate our oneness in Christ in the midst of a world we are called to serve – a world that is ever more in need of peacemaking. October 19 – Dr. Jack White, President Emeritus of Geneva College, will be speaking. He will be accompanied by New Song, Geneva's traveling music/drama ensemble. This group tours the United States over the summers and also performs during the fall and spring semesters. October 21 – The Reverend Dr. David P. Gleason will be preaching. Pastor Gleason is Senior Pastor at First English Evangelical Lutheran Church (also known simply as First Lutheran), where he has served in this capacity since 1988. October 28 – Dr. Peter Weaver, Bishop for the Boston Diocese of the United Methodist Church, will be our guest preacher. Dr. Weaver was the senior pastor of Smithfield United Church (then both United Church of Christ and United Methodist) from 1977 to 1986.  Smithfield School is coming
You helped imagine it, and now it's coming! In July and August nearly fifty members and friends of this congregation met after worship to brainstorm new directions for our educational ministry. Your voices were loud and clear: you want safe, consistent, imaginative programs for children and youth, and you want adult programs that help you connect your faith to life in a diverse and challenging world. And you are bursting with ideas of ways to make that happen. Our posters were dotted with 124 Post-It notes, and your interest surveys were covered with check marks. Out of this planning and dreaming comes action: beginning September 9, your wishes will come true! [Web editor's note: Go to the Education page for full information about Smithfield School and photos from the September 9 celebration.] These new initiatives would never be possible without the hard work of members and friends of this congregation who have stepped forward to serve as leaders. Whether they are members of the education team, children's teachers, youth group leaders, or facilitators of adult classes, the people of Smithfield are making Smithfield School happen. On the subject of "extravagant welcome" One of the most important goals of Smithfield Church is to extend an "extravagant welcome" to everyone entering our church. WIth that in mind the role of usher/greeter will play a significant part in a developing hospitality plan. In preparation for changes that will take place in January 2008, all members who have served as an usher/greeter, or those who would like to do this, are asked to attend one of three orientation sessions. The goal of the meeting will be to review specific responsibilities and introduce new scheduling and procedures. We want to improve our communication among ourselves so that we are united in our welcome to others. Please plan to attend one meeting on any of the following dates: September 23, October 28, or December 9. All meetings will start promptly at 9:45 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m. The location will be posted. The sessions will be led by Regina Sewall and Thomm Blazina. We look forward to seeing you.
10/22/07 |
When I received the call from the Search Committee offering me the position of Minister of Music, I was greatly honored. The opportunity to work with Doug and the extraordinary staff at Smithfield was one to which I responded with an immediate "yes." There are challenges, to be sure, but the open atmosphere at Smithfield is the very oxygen of creativity. It is in this openness that the winds of the Creating Creator can freely move. refreshing our souls, enlivening our minds, and warming our hearts.
A major part of our focus will be developing a strong choral program. Gleaning and developing the vocal talent of the congregation and inviting singing friends to participate are ways I hope to start the choir-building process. Singers interested in participating in the choir, please call me (412.551.5778) or leave your name at the church office. You can also suggest someone. We're all talent scouts. There will be several kick-off events (including a gracious offer from Ramona and Doug to host a social gathering for the choir). To build our choral foundation, I want to hold several choral workshops at the church and establish an effective and viable rehearsal schedule. As the choir membership is more known, it will be possible to determine dates and times that will allow the highest attendance. This is all a process, and it will take time to coalesce. Please stay tuned.
– through you and me!