September
2002 Newsletter
WEDNESDAY ECUMENICAL LUNCH
Join us from 12 to 1 p.m. for the Wednesday
Noon Ecumenical Lunch Program. You're always assured of a tasty $4
lunch, warm, ecumenical fellowship and a thoughtful program
designed to enrich your life mentally, physically, spiritually and
socially. The parking is free in the Pine Street lot north of the
church from 11 to 1:30 p.m. Bring a Friend.
No reservations are necessary.
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United Churches is Your Church
E-X-T-E-N-D-E-D
In Ministry
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SEPTEMBER:
11 - Rev. Robert Wallace,
Pastor, of Third Street United Methodist Church, and
Rev. John Manno, Pastor of Church of the
Annunciation, "Triumph of the American Spirit - 9-11 Remembered"
18 - Mrs. Helen Sterrett,
United Methodist Layperson, "Nunuvut - Land of the Inuit - Native
Americans"
25 - Mrs. Kay Huffman and Mr.
Bob Hacker, Vocalists, Mr. Tom Wetzel,
Accompanist, "Songs from
the Heart"
OCTOBER:
2 - Mr. Lance VanAuken,
Director of Media Relations for Little League Baseball, "The Past,
Present and Future of Little League"
9 - Dr. J. Morris Smith,
Shepherd of the Streets,
"Homelessness in Williamsport"
16 - Mrs. Kim Fredo,
Program Supervisor for Albright at Home, "Assisted Living
In Your Home"
23 - Rev. Beth Rohrbach-Perry,
United Churches Christian Social Concerns Committee Chairperson,
Panel: "Issues in the Governor's Race"
30 - Rev. Ken Elkin,
Pastor, St. Mark Lutheran Church "Halloween: Innocent or
Diabolical"
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LIVING IN UNCERTAINTY
from our Christian Social
Concerns Committee
Like me, you've probably been seeing and
hearing a lot about how America has changed or hasn't changed
since last year at this time.
Some of our world neighbors had hoped that a
terrorist attack on American soil might make us more sympathetic
to terrorist attacks in their countries. But they've had to admit
it hasn't.
Some of our world neighbors thought this
unique tragedy would make us more cognizant of the scope of
tragedies their citizens face on a daily basis - more aware of the
suffering caused, for example, by poverty and famine and disease.
But they say our actions show it hasn't.
Some of our own religious leaders believed
it would make us more religious. But it hasn't: worship attendance
in the year since 9-11 has actually decreased.
Trends that have been noticed - locally and
nationally - are increases in the number of weddings; increases in
the amount of time families are spending together; increases in
job turnover, housing sales, and counseling.
I'm not a statistician or reporter but I
have my own take on how 9-11 has changed/not changed us. I think
it simply reinforced what we already were. If we were concerned
about the world and the problems of people everywhere, we are
probably more committed to that concern. If we were self-centered
and focused only on our own problems, we are even more obsessed
with our selves and our own pain.
If we were on the verge of making a major
change in our lives, or worried about our family stability, or on
the edge of mental illness, those pieces of ourselves have been
intensified. And if we were people of faith, we have found comfort
and gained direction from our religious participation. If we
weren't before, we, most likely, aren't now.
September 2002 is a good time to remember
what happened last year. But it is an even better time to look at
ourselves and see what changes this year has wrought in us. Are we
more concerned about others? Are we more committed to our faith?
Are we making life better for someone else? Are we living up to
our own potential?
There will be stamps and statues and plaques
to honor those who died last September. But the best memorial
would be if we could say their death brought about a positive
change in those who are still alive.
DIAL -
A - DEVOTION
Have you called yet?
The number is 322-5762.
It's available 24 hours a day.
Devotions are three minutes or less, change
weekdays and once on the weekend, and are designed to lift your
spirits and help you to have "A Closer Walk with God." The
devotionalists this summer include:
Sept:: Fr. Dan Kovalak Ms Audrey Rudy
Rev. Roosevelt Brown
Oct: Rev. Velinda Webb Rev. Beth Perry
Mrs. Gwen Bernstine Ms Nan Porter
Listen today and tell others
about this ministry!
FOOD PANTRY
Donna Wehler, Coordinator
Our United Churches/Center City Food Pantry
provides a three day supply of food to those in need.
| |
Families |
Adults |
Kids |
Elderly |
Total |
|
May |
257 |
343 |
218 |
60 |
621 |
|
June |
182 |
247 |
151 |
43 |
441 |
|
July |
238 |
317 |
200 |
64 |
581 |
|
August |
216 |
283 |
166 |
63 |
512 |
As you can see, it's been very busy, this
summer, even though we were closed for two weeks in August for
vacations. It is a special blessing when our churches deliver much
needed food that are an integral part in helping us provide a
nutritional and appetizing meal plan for many families. Food
deliveries are best made on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to Noon. Items
the pantry will need this fall are:
Noodles & Pasta Canned
Vegetables
Crackers Spaghetti and Spaghetti
Sauce
Jello and Pudding Beef Ravioli
Oodles of Noodles Tuna and Tuna
Helper
Soups Hamburg & Chicken Helper
Sugar & Flour Canned Meats &
Stews
Applesauce Cake Mixes and
Frosting
Pizza Mix Coffee - Tea - Cocoa
Canned Fruit Pancake Mix and
Syrup
Canned Juice Peanut Butter and
Jelly
Rice Canned Pasta Products
Snacks Foods Macaroni and Cheese
Our expected date to be in our new location
has now moved back to early October. Pastors, church staff and
members of each congregation are very important to this ministry.
In addition to your generous donations.....
- We depend on your contacts within the
community to let people in need know of our pantry.
- We also depend on you to provide any
transportation assistance that might be needed so that they can
access our services.
- We depend on volunteers to serve several
hours a week to pack bags, stock shelves.
Thank you for being a partner in this
ministry!
Persons requesting food should call the
pantry for an appointment at 322-1657 on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m.
- 2:30 p.m. or Thursdays from Noon to 2:30 p.m. Because of the
increased demand, calls are returned as quickly as possible, but
delays can occasionally extend into the next week.
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"STOP HUNGER - ONE STEP AT A TIME"*
People of all ages, races, and faiths from
all parts of Lycoming County will again walk in area CROP Walks
for Local and World hunger.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2002
Walks Begin at 1:30 P.M.
Registration begins at 1:00 P.M.
FIVE WALKS
1. GREATER WILLIAMSPORT -
will begin from pavilion 2 at Indian Park. Contact Rev. Ken Weiss,
323-6325. Sponsor forms/materials can be picked up at United
Churches office, 322-1110 or Pine Street United Methodist Church
office, 323-4606.
2. JERSEY SHORE - They'll
begin from the Manor Care Nursing Center. Contact Rev. Mark
Woodring at 753-8137
3. TROUT RUN - They'll
begin from the Trout Run U. M. Church. Call Mary Phillips at
998-8650.
4. EAST LYCOMING - They'll
begin from the Hughesville High School. Contact Pastor Lucy Temple
- 584-2316.
5. MONTGOMERY - They'll
begin from Clinton Township Fire Hall on Rt. 54. Contact Rev.
Roosevelt Brown - 574-6948.
Five Steps:
1.
PLAN
to walk because so many other people in
the world MUST WALK for FOOD,
WATER,
FUEL, and SHELTER.
2.
LEARN
more about the issues of hunger and poverty
in our world all year round.
3.
DECIDE
upon the location and length of your walk
3, 6, or 10 miles.
4.
RECRUIT
sponsors who'll pay you or your church team
to walk. Get the
whole church involved in getting
sponsors this year.
5.
JOIN your
friends, as you walk together.
GET INVOLVED!
Each year friends and neighbors across the
United States join in some 2,000 locally-organized, interfaith
CROP WALKS that help support the work of Church World Service
around the world and in the United States.
CROP Walks return more than $4 million a
year that is used to:
Dig
Wells......Plant Moringa Trees.......Provide Emergency Food
Build
Schools......Battle Injustice......Eradicate Landmines....Change
the World
Up to 25% of what you raise comes back to
your community to hunger-fighting agencies like food pantries
&soup kitchens.
Water is precious. The human body can
survive for weeks without food. It can only go for a few days
without water. On the average, a person needs about five gallons
of safe water each day to meet their drinking, cooking, hygiene
and domestic needs. Upwards of 2.2 million people die annually
from water-related diarrheal illnesses caused by drinking unsafe
water, and most of those victims are children under the age of
five.
Some 1.1 billion people worldwide lack
access to safe water - more than 95% of them live in developing
nations. In rural parts of the developing world typically spend
2-4 hours daily under an unrelenting sun hauling water from rivers
and wells. Approximately 220 million urban residents in developing
countries lack a source of safe drinking water near their homes.
This means families already living on the edge, in extreme
poverty, have to buy their water - at a cost 3-10 times what their
wealthier neighbors pay to have it piped into their homes and
yards.
By participating this year in CROP WALK you
can help drill borehole wells that reach down to the aquifer where
water is clean and pure, install piping and pumps to bring water
nearer at hand, teach villagers leadership to maintain their new
water system and its components, and providing the hardware needed
to keep systems functioning.
SHEPHERD OF THE STREETS
Dr. J. Morris Smith
"Amen, I say to you, whoever
does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter
it." (LK. 18:17) The child, Jesus says, is the perfect role model
for the kingdom. Some say the child is the role model because he
"trusts", but I have seen children that do not trust and who
hesitate to believe when you say, "Jump, I'll catch you." or
"There's no one here, I can turn the light out now." Others say
the child is the role model because he sees things in the simplest
of terms...but, again, if a child is lost or fearful no amount of
simplicity can give comfort, and time, space and history, the
three measurements of event, have not yet been fully comprehended.
"Are we there yet?" "Is it my birthday again?" "Can I go to heaven
and play with Grandpa?" "Can't you just write a check?"
Actually, the only
characteristic that makes the child the perfect role model for the
kingdom is that the child is vulnerable.
This creates a disability that Jesus suggests is most important in
His domain. In that 18th chapter of St. Luke, the pronouncement
about the child is preceded by the parable of the Pharisee and the
tax collector. The Pharisee, doing all things liturgically and
legally correct as a saint, is actually disabled, while the tax
collector, vulnerable to disdain and inability, pleading for mercy
as a sinner, is enabled. The pronouncement about the child is
followed by the rich official who had kept the moral law from his
youth, but is disabled because of his financial bondage. Later in
the same chapter, the vulnerable, disabled blind man makes a
nuisance of himself by calling out over and over for Jesus to have
pity on him...and in that, he is enabled. On and on it goes in the
Gospel of Luke, the seemingly enabled are disabled and the
disabled are enabled.
The child is vulnerable
because he does not know things. On the other hand, we hate to
admit such. The child is vulnerable because he cannot do things,
especially that which protects him from the issues of life. Alas,
we like to think that we can outwit, outplay, outdo life's twists
and turns. When 9/11 occurred, notice how everyone immediately
turned to God. We had tasted that which we otherwise refuse to
acknowledge...vulnerability. We may have knowledge, but we need
God's wisdom. We may have abilities, but we need God's timing. We
may have science, but we need God's truth. To acknowledge one's
vulnerability and run to the Father, puts one in the kingdom of
God.
Perhaps the main reason Jesus
makes such an issue of caring for the poor is to keep us in the
arena of vulnerability, thus the Lucan beatitude: "Blessed are the
poor, for theirs is the kingdom of God." From the sin of Adam and
Eve to this moment, we are prone to reject child-likeness, and
like St. Peter in those many instances, know when we do not know
and do when we cannot do. He that loses his life, shall find it.
Indeed the summer months have
put a drain on the Shepherd's supply of personal hygiene kit
items, blankets, sheets and other things that we give freely to
our clients in need. We are in desperate need of the following
items:
PERSONAL HYGIENE KIT ITEMS:
Toothbrushes Toothpaste
Deodorant (Male and Female)
Combs
Shampoo Conditioner
Band-Aids Disposable Razors
New Wash Cloths New Bath
Towels
Sanitary Napkins/Tampons Hand
Lotion
DIAPERS: FOR CHILDREN (SIZES
2, 3, 4 and 5)
BIBLES: New or, if used, in
good condition
BLANKETS: New or used if they
are in good condition
SHEETS AND PILLOW CASES: Full,
Queen and King sizes. New or used if condition is good
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS are
also accepted
DEBIT CARDS from KMart,
Walmart or any of the local food markets are also utilized to help
needy clients
Thank you for your past support.
We
look forward to serving God,
the
needy persons of our area
and
you
now
and in the future
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FAITH ODYSSEY
IN LYCOMING COUNTY
Our monthly, local, half hour
television program produced by the United Churches in cooperation
with the Communications Department of Lycoming College and
Susquehanna Communications will air monthly throughout the summer
on Suscom Channel Number 2 on your dial.
Part 1 - "PRAYER"
Rev. Frank Showers, Pastor, Church of the Savior, Lutheran
Rev. Larry LeFeber, Pastor, Clinton Baptist Church
Rev. Joyce Gensib, Pastor, New Hope U.M. Church
Part 2 - "INTERFAITH DIALOGUE"
Rev. Ken Weiss, Pastor, First Church of Christ Disciples
Mr.
Marvin Hurwitz, President, Temple Beth Ha Sholom
Mrs. Zokaa Rajjaub, Islamic Representative
Times: Tuesday, September 17, 9:30 A.M.
Wednesday, September 18, 7:30 P.M.
POVERTY - A FAITH-BASED
RESPONSE
A GLOBAL ISSUE
from our Christian
Social Concerns Committee
Communicable diseases such as
malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS are devastating the
populations of the poorest countries, particularly in sub-Saharan
Africa. The means and medicines are available to treat HIV/AIDS
and to prevent malaria and tuberculosis, but funds and health
infrastructure are lacking. U.S. contributions to combat these
diseases are inadequate, given the urgent need, our country's
relative wealth, and the capacity to make a real difference.
How does global health relate
to poverty? The devastation of the general population caused by
major health crises destroys the fabric of communities, leaving
fewer teachers, farmers, health professionals, entrepreneurs and
other workers. It also leaves millions of orphans without the
support of adult family members upon whom they depend. The result
is a deadly circle of self-reinforcing poverty.
Elements of a responsibly
designed global health strategy:
- Funding for basic
healthcare delivery systems, medicines, treatment, and research.
- Care for those living with
communicable diseases and for children orphaned as a result of
those diseases.
- Programs to address not
only HIV/AIDS but other life-threatening communicable diseases
such as malaria and tuberculosis.
- HIV/AIDS prevention
programs providing accurate information about HIV/AIDS
transmission, promoting responsible and mutually respectful
relationships, and addressing cultural norms and other relevant
factors.
- Activities that strengthen
the economic and social viability of affected communities.
- Priority consideration for
sub-Saharan Africa.
What is the global need? $10
to $15 billion per year is estimated as needed to combat HIV/AIDS,
malaria, tuberculosis and other life-threatening communicable
diseases.
What does the U.S. give? $1
billion for FY 2002, of which $200 million is earmarked for the
U.N. Global Health Fund for HIV/AIDS and other infectious
diseases.
What would be a fair annual
U.S. contribution? $2.5 billion to $3.75 billion based upon the
nation's share of the world economy.
How does the current U.S.
contribution compare to other budgetary figures? It pales in
comparison to spending on other aspects of world security. For
example, $1 billion is about one-eighth of last year's estimated
spending on foreign military assistance and aid supporting U.S.
political and security objectives.
How does global health relate
to U.S. security? The United States is at risk as a major
destination of travel, immigration, and commerce. Also, U.S.
civilians and military personnel abroad, especially those involved
in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts, are at an increasingly
high risk from infectious diseases. In the globalized world, the
destabilization of other nations or regions threatens American and
international security.
Health crises such as HIV/AIDS
can be as destabilizing as a war. Local capabilities for
maintaining security and order are weakened and socioeconomic
progress is delayed, challenging democratic development and
transitions.
What is the link between debt
relief and global health? Debt service payments take funds away
from critical needs. Where diseases such as HIV/AIDS have reached
crisis proportions, there is a desperate need to maximize
resources available for health systems, infrastructure and
treatment.
Ask legislators:
- to support bills that would
authorize substantially increased U.S. funding of global health
initiatives.
- to incorporate these
elements in the funded initiatives.
- to appropriate
substantially increased funding for responsibly designed global
health initiatives when they consider foreign operations
appropriations for FY 2003.
- to limit debt service
payments to five percent of government revenues for countries
with sever health crises.
Source: United States Catholic
Conference of Bishops - Social Development and World Peace
CREATION CORNER
From
our Christian Social Concerns Committee
Labor Day, the Church
and the Environment
In an article titled "A
Christian Perspective on Environmental Justice", Jim Schwab
challenges congregations to do more to assist the growing
environmental activism of the legions of mothers and homemakers,
union members and minorities who have been on the march since
~1980.
Schwab, who wrote Deeper
Shades of Green: The Rise of Blue Collar and Minority
Environmentalism in America, noted that the burden of
pollution and other environmental crimes falls most heavily on
blue-collar workers in polluting plants and the low-income
residents of nearby neighborhoods. His book includes several case
studies of community-based struggles to combat environmental
injustice.
Schwab, a senior research
associate for the American Planning Association is also a member
of the ELCA and has led the Chicago Metro Synod environmental
concerns group. He helped his home parish become a Creation
Awareness Center by reducing their energy use and bills by
installing energy-efficient compact florescent lights. The energy
audit demonstrated that as less energy is consumed less pollution
and greenhouse gas emissions are generated. One conclusion was
that if many congregations nationwide repeated this example it
would be like taking thousands of cars off the road and save
millions of dollars.
Schwab believes that just as
environmental activism has crossed class boundaries, "much remains
to be done. As always, there is no reason why the church should
not be in the forefront of the search for justice."
- Derived in part from the
Claretian Missionary Chicago Based publication, World One: The
Newsletter of Spirituality in Action, April 2002
UNITED CHURCHES ANNUAL ASSEMBLY
Please reserve on your
calendars the time for our 2002 Annual Assembly (our 56th!)
which will be Thursday, November 7. The meeting will begin with
dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting/program will conclude the
evening.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
Our 2002/2003 edition, listing
all churches, mailing addresses, phone numbers and pastors has
been published. E-Mail, Fax and other church staff have been
included this year as information was received. Member churches
are entitled to two directories and updates throughout the year.
Non-members pay $25. Stop by our office to pick up your directory.
It will also be available at our Assembly.
ORIENTATION FOR PASTORS
An orientation for new pastors
and other interested persons will be held Thursday, September 12
from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. at New Covenant United Church of Christ.
Information will be provided on the philosophy of United Churches
and the ways the churches in our county are working together as
well as general information about our area. Reservations should be
made with our office, 322-1110.
YOKEFELLOW
Paul wrote, in Phil 2:3, "Each
of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others." St. Francis prayed, "God grant me the
serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to
change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen".'
'To change the things we can
and the wisdom to know the difference' is the goal of Yokefellow
Prison Ministry. We believe that the only hope for each of us is
found in a life lived in response to the call of Christ.
We have more than 30 men and
women who are going into five institutions witnessing to more than
100 men and women weekly. Interest in spiritual matters, and
particularly Yokefellow Prison Ministry has increased markedly
during the summer months. The women in the Tioga County Prison,
after just three sessions, praised and thanked our volunteers.
They said there are several opportunities for Bible Study at that
facility, but Yokefellow volunteers are the only volunteers who
are willing to listen to them, answer their questions, and meet
their spiritual needs.
God is presenting
opportunities for us to take the 'Good News of Jesus Christ' to
those presently bound by chains and bars. Our call is to move with
courage into the arenas of life where many have not heard the
Gospel's call. To share His amazing love, we must go out and
embrace a weary and despairing world and lift it up to Christ.
Our Yokefellow volunteers need
to be encouraged by your prayers and financial support. Please
encourage your church to include Yokefellow Prison Ministry in its
weekly prayer list and also in the yearly budget. To learn more
about Yokefellow Prison Ministry please call the office at
326-6868, If you could use a speaker for a worship service or a
small group, we would be happy to help you.
In the hymn, "Hear the Voice
of Jesus Calling". Daniel March wrote: Hear the voice of Jesus
calling, never find yourself repeating, "There is nothing I can
do." While a world of men (and women) are dying, there's work God
calls us to. Gladly take the task He gives you. Let His will be
your pleasure. Answer quickly when He calls you. "Here I am, Send
me."
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EDUCATIONAL EVENTS AND
OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COUNTY
WHAT'S NEW ABOUT THE
NEW TESTAMENT is the subject of a guest lecture that will
be held on Monday, September 16 at 7 p.m. at Holy Cross Orthodox
Church off Northway Road in Williamsport. The presenter will be
Fr. Michael Dahulich, Administrative Dean and Professor of New
Testament at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, South
Canaan, PA. This event is part of the 25th Anniversary
Year celebration at Holy Cross.
FAMILIES IN CRISIS
A full day seminar to look at ways clergy and congregations can
minister to families in crisis will be held Monday, September 30,
2002. Issues that were found to be of concern to many pastors in
our area as they deal with families in crisis, which will be
included are:
Juvenile Suicide
Rev. Kerry Aucker, Pastor of
St. John Lutheran Church, Jersey Shore, will provide information
on how to help families and communities recover from a child's
suicide. He is a frequent speaker in issues of aftercare to
communities recovering from a suicide, and a certified in Youth &
Family Ministries.
Parenting
Julie Panczyszyn of the Family
Support Center of the Lycoming County Joinder Program, will
provide some guidelines for normal behavior for children of
various ages, signs that warrant concern, where to go for help,
and some discipline tips.
Drug and Alcohol
Abuse
Lorna Bryant of the West
Branch Drug and Alcohol Commission will help us to better
understand addiction, how to access treatment, and special needs
to be aware of. She will also talk about how the church can help
in the treatment, aftercare and intensive case management.
During the afternoon the
presenters will come together in a panel to help us understand how
issues are interwoven in many of the crisis into which we are
called.
Registration should be made by
contacting United Churches at 322-1110 or
uclc@
sunlink.net.
TRANSFORMATIONAL
LEADERSHIP FOR TURNAROUND CONGREGATIONS is an 8 week
seminar that will explore the "levers" and "unfreezing movements"
that traditional congregations can explore to make transformation
a part of your community life. It will help you understand the
culture you live in, the use of demographics, the strengths and
growth areas of your congregation and help you understand and
implement a mission driven, permission giving environment in your
congregation. Participants will be able to present their
congregation for group analysis to unlock the potential in each
congregation. The final session will focus on dealing with the
"inevitable conflict" that arises anytime change is attempted in
established congregations. The course will be held Mondays from
10-Noon at the American Rescue Workers Church, 25 Ross St., Wmspt,
beginning Sept. 23. The cost is $200/person and is limited to
eight. Register by contacting Jeff Patton at
jhpatton@uplink.net or call 435-3324 by Sept. 16.
PASTORAL COUNSELING
TRAINING - This 8 week course is designed to help pastors
improve their counseling and care skills. Use of taped sessions,
written verbatim materials and communication exercises as well as
a diverse reading list, will assist participants build on their
current skills in pastoral counseling. This course will also be
helpful for pastors training lay-pastors and peer counselors for
ministry in local congregations. The course will meet Wednesday
mornings from 10 to Noon at the American Rescue Workers Church, 25
Ross St., Wmspt, beginning September 25. The cost is $200 and is
limited to 8 people. Register by contacting Jeff Patton at
jhpatton@uplink.net or call 435-3324 by Sept. 16.
CHILD IN OUR HANDS
CONFERENCE: If you or your congregation looking for a way
to involve families in the faith building process plan to attend
the "Child In Our Hands" conference on Friday and Saturday,
October 25th-26th. at Trinity Episcopal Church, Williamsport. This
conference is presented by the Youth and Family Institute of
Augsburg College, Minneapolis, Minnesota in conjunction with a
local coalition of Lutherans, Episcopalians and Presbyterians.
The conference will gather
leaders of local congregations as well as anyone who has influence
in the faith life of future generations (parents, grandparents,
uncles, aunts etc.) Inspiring speakers and informative workshops
will prepare participants to help shape the spiritual life of the
family.
Keynote speakers for the event
are David Anderson and Linda Staats from the Institute. They bring
dedication, creativity and much experience in helping families
find ways to strengthen themselves through talking the faith,
sharing in spiritual practices and service projects.
Congregations are encouraged
to send teams of at least four members so that they may strategize
together on how to use the insights gained back in their own
congregations. The local planning group is planning follow-up
support after the conference.
The cost of the conference is
$55 before October 1st and $65 after that date. To
register or for more information call Rev. Frank Showers or Deb
Best at 326-7082 or
savior@sunlink.net. You can also learn more about this
conference at
www.uss-elca.org/childinourhands.
BIBLICAL COUNSELOR
TRAINING A high quality video distance learning program
by the AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors -- an
organization of more than 50,000 people) called "Caring for People
God's Way" is being made available to churches or individuals in
this area as a way to jointly meet the spiritual and emotional
needs of our community. These 30 video tapes include presenters
who are among the top counselors in the nation. A study group is
being proposed for this fall. If interested contact David Rising
or Tim Bryant at Cornerstone Family Health at 326-4118.
THE PENNSYLVANIA
PASTORS CONFERENCE will be held November 11-13 at the
Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center, Camp Hill. The
theme is "Doing The Right Thing: Ethical Dilemmas in the 21st
Century". Attendees say this is the best continuing education
event for pastors and Christian educators in Pa.
Plenary speakers and seminar
leaders will explore issues of human sexuality, war and peace, and
bio-ethics, offering insights on how Christians might address
those and similar ethical dilemmas in the postmodern world of the
21st century. There is a $75 registration fee for the
conference and 1.5 continuing education units are available. We
usually have between 15 and 20 persons from our area attending, so
there is an opportunity to share housing or travel expenses. If
you're interested in sharing expenses, contact our United Churches
office.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COUNTY
THE BIG BROTHERS BIG
SISTERS PROGRAM is Fun and Rewarding. What is universal
to being a Big Brother or Big Sister is that most Bigs start out
thinking they'll give something back, yet most end of saying, "I
get back so much more thank I give. As a Big, you are simply a
friend. Caseworkers match you with a child of similar interests.
You spend about three hours a week doing those things you both
enjoy. To volunteer call 321-5437 or
e-mail: bbbslyco@aol. com
THE CHURCH CO-OP OIL
CONTRACT has been awarded to Agway by the Church Supply
Co-op with a discount off the tank wagon price of 27.2¢ per
gallon. The discount applies to Co-op member churches and their
paid employees. Member churches may also order cases of paper once
a year through the United Methodist paper co-op. Membership in the
church Co-Op is a one time $100 fee. If a church has been a member
at one time but is no longer a member, they can re-join at have
price for a limited time. For membership details call Pam
Burkholder at 321-8254, the Pregnancy Care Ctr.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR
BEREAVED PARENTS has been formed and is meeting the third
Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Annunciation's Fleming
Parish Center, West Fourth and Walnut Sts in Wmspt. Additional
participants are welcomed in this is a new support group for
parents who have suffered the death of a child. Peter Keely, a
Licensed Psychologist and Doctor of Counseling, will speak Sept.
17th on the topic, "Timeclocks and Yardsticks of
Grief".
AUTUMNFEST 2002
will be held Sunday, September 15 from 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. in
front of Divine Providence Hospital. Sponsored by the Divine
Providence Hospital Auxiliary it features foods and entertainment.
LYCOMING COUNTY LIFE
CHAIN - 2002 will be held Oct. 6 on the Golden Strip
(East Third Street) at 2:30 p.m. All area churches are invited to
participate in this, their 11th year. Their goal is
3000 participants. If you have not yet received your info. call
546-3104.
SHOP, FOR GOOD
is a fund raising opportunity Smith Rudasill Interiors & Gifts,
706 Market St, is offering your church a painless and "virtually
effortless" opportunity to generate additional revenues before
year's end. In response to the patronage of your members at a time
we mutually agree, they are offering your Church 10% of the sales
made to your members and their guests at that appointed time. For
details call 322-4800.
AN ALL NIGHT PRAYER
TIME, is being held on Sept. 27th sponsored by
New "Life" AME Zion church and Sojourner Truth Ministries from
midnight to 6 a.m. For more information call Rev. Velinda Webb,
321-1199.
YOUTH GATHERING A SUCCESS
Approximately 50 youth and
their advisors had a great time Saturday evening, Sept. 7 in
Quiggleville. Wonderful fellowship, inspiring worship, great food
all in a beautiful setting.
Watch for our next ecumenical
youth event sometime this year. Photos will be up soon on our
youth page of our web site at
www.uclc.org!
