Mission Statement: We, the members of the United Church of Christ Congregational, Vermilion, strive to love, serve, and grow as we live God’s message in our families, our church, our community and our world, now and forever more.

August 2019

Church Chatter

Upcoming Events: Office Info: United Church of Christ, Congregational 990 State Street Vermilion, OH 44089 vermilionuccc@gmail.com Phone: 967-5212 DNS phone: 967-5230 Hours: M-F, 9-2 p.m. Staff: Rev. Melinda Quellhorst, Pastor

Jennifer Bertoni, Secretary

Jerry Boros, Treasurer

Jim Innes, Fin. Secretary

Shelly Innes, Christian Ed.

Cecily Musser, Director, DNS

Dr. Ted Williams, Music Dir.

Corey Knick, Organist

Inside this issue:

Calendar 2

Moderator’s Letter 3

Pastor’s Post 4

Themes & Texts 5

Congregational Vote 6

Grace’s Kitchen 7

August 2-3: Church Yard Sale

August 4: Special Congregational Meeting after Worship

August 10: HOLA Ohio Fundraiser

Sept. 4: DNS Begins

Sept. 8: Rally Day

October 5: Blessing of the Pets

And, of course: All Summer Sundays, 8:30 am—”Wake Up to God” Worship In the Gathering Space!

Church Wide Yard Sale! It’s almost time for the yard sale! The last day to drop off items is Tuesday, July 30th.

Don’t forget to stop by and buy!

The yard sale will be open: Friday, August 2nd, from 9 am—4 pm, and

Saturday, August 3rd, from 9 am—noon!

Want to help? We can always use a few extra hands! Please call Pat at 440-258-2323 to volunteer

or if you have any questions.

Page 2 Church Chatter

August 2019

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

2 Miranda Lacefield

4 MeganToth

6 Annabelle Rossi

Ginger Cutcher

7 A.J. Lacefield 8 Cathy Zimmerman

9 Mary Scott Clark

10 Kevin Hanley

Kalynn Smith

Madelyn Cleaver

11 Christine Ruetenik

15 Sally Fox

16 Jon Reising

22 Marilyn

Van Den Bossche

24 Judy Williams

26 Ian Cutcher

25 Danny Lehky

29 Kim Mc Guinn 31 Debbie Schwensen

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

4 Jon & Dianna Clark ‘84

Michael & Kirsten Hormell ‘07

5 Ken & Gayle Farschman ‘61

9 Terry & Courtney Traut ‘03

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 7pm Boy Scouts

2 9 am-4 pm

Yard Sale

12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

3 9-noon

Yard Sale

4

8:30 Wake Up

9 am Missions

9:30 H.S Coffee

10:30 Worship

11:30 Vote

1:00 Stephen M.

5 pm AA

5 6 pm Property

8pm AA

6

7

5:30 Girl Scouts

7 pm Diaconate

8

Grace’s Kitchen

7pm Boy Scouts

9 12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

10

11 8:30 Wake Up

9am Finance

10:30 Worship

1:30 Stephen M.

12 10am Lucy Idol

12:30pm Bridge

8pm AA

13

14

12 n Marmaru

5:30 Girl Scouts

15

7pm Boy Scouts

16

Pantry

12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

17

18 8:30 Wake Up

10:30am Worship

1:00 Stephen M.

5 pm AA

19 8pm AA

20 Rachel Circle

21 1pm Prayer Grp.

5:30 Girl Scouts

7:30 pm Council

22

3:45 Member-

ship

7 pm Boy Scouts

23 12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

24

25 8:30 Wake Up

10:30am Worship

1:00 Stephen M.

5 pm AA

26 10am Lucy Idol

12:30pm Bridge

8 pm AA

27

28 5:30 Girl Scouts

29 7 pm Boy Scouts

30 12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

31

11 Jim & Gara Jones‘68

13 Jeff Davis &

Mindy Quellhorst ‘16

14 Andrew and Jennifer Bertoni ‘99

15 Frank & Cindy Weeks ‘81

Steve & Kim Lewis ‘87 17 David & Karin Rathbun ‘61

18 Gene & Annalee Hector

19 Larry & Karen Howell ‘72

Brian & Julie Wilson ‘89

August 2019 Page 3

Dear Church Family, Thank you to all who participated in our discussion related to financ-es and Sunset Shores Retreat Center on July 21. The caring that all of you show for each other and our church is strong and evident. Recently I have read Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover (which I highly recommend) and I was struck by several things related to our church. As she went off to college, having grown up in a fundamen-talist Mormon survivalist family with no formal education, she noted

the difference between her and her roommates. Although both came from the same religious group, she noted that the difference came because her roommates “believed” in certain things but did not practice them in their daily lives as her family did. I am not suggesting we encouraging the practice of Mormon fundamentalist beliefs. I am thankful that we practice what we believe both as a denomination and as an individual church. Sometimes putting our beliefs into practice takes us out of our comfort zone. We have to ask our-selves questions that we thought we had resolved long ago, because now we have new perspectives. This is called growth. Some of us are demonstrators/marchers in our practice and some of us are a bit less showy in our practice. Yet most of us wonder how we can stand and be supportive of our vision and mission. Where are you? Are you a marcher and demonstrator, a letter writer, a person to have one on one conversations about social justice issues? Maybe you choose to be watchful and give a hug when needed. Whatever your practice and wherever you are on your journey, know that you are accepted, welcomed, and affirmed here. How would you like to see our practice fulfill our mission and vision as a church? Blessings, Anne

Musings of the Moderator

Tech Help Needed Mildred Early has offered to purchase a smart TV for our Gathering Space to scroll messages of upcoming events in the church. The secretary would be able to update this from her computer. I have someone willing to do the programming of this but need help in picking out the TV. Any volun-teers? Call Anne Stock at 429-565-7256 or let the church office know. Thanks.

Page 4 Church Chatter

The theme for General Synod 32 held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 21-26 was SHINE! General Synod of the United Church of Christ happens biennially, and is a “family reunion” as well as a meeting of the delegates and visitors to speak to the church, on important resolutions and business of the church. The resolutions help us look at issues facing the church in today’s world. Resolutions of witness are a part of this and there is business of the church that needs to be addressed, learnings and worship. There is much discussion on all sides of the issues that are being discussed. I see it as the church, in all aspects of what it means to be the church. Some observations from this Synod: Reading Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond before hearing him speak, helped to shape the conversation in my mind about what it means to be evicted, children changing schools, moving into deplorable houses just to have a house, parents making it home, shelters, and safety, drug use and people just trying to live. How is the church part of this discus-sion? Worship: was amazing and Spirit filled. The preachers—The Rev. Kaji Spellman Dousa, The Rev. Traci deVon Blackmon, The Rev. Sharon Lee Mei-Shem MacArther, and The Rev. Dr. Amy Butler—shared mes-sages of hope, peace, challenge, and love. I was deeply moved by worship. March to ICE: was ecumenical, made a difference, all ages from the very young to the very old. Doing something, praying with our feet, standing for injustice. Resolutions: are brought to committee of the delegates, which you are randomly assigned to, the com-mittees rework and learn about the resolution before it is brought to the floor. Many of these resolutions are resolutions of witness. Some have lots of discussion and are divided in what they believe and others are not controversial. Two resolutions I would like to talk about. 1- SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF RAPE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE THROUGH AN ONGOING CHURCH-WIDE OBSERVANCE OF BREAK THE SILENCE SUNDAY (BTSS). This resolution deals with having a church wide service for breaking the silence of rape and sexual violence and education. This Sunday was proposed as the 4th Sunday of April. It is a way of healing and hope and support. 2- RESOLUTION REGARDING THE USE OF PLASTIC FOAM (I.E. STYROFOAM®) We need to take better care of our earth, stewardship of God’s earth. We can pledge to do this in our own local church, to recycle, to not buy Styrofoam, at church and at home. There are many more and you can find them at UCC. ORG, and click on General Synod resolutions. We also called and elected our General Minister and President, the Rev. Dr. John C Dorhauer for a second term. In all, General Synod, for me was a learning experience filled with hope, love, peace, family, church and Spirit. Next Synod is in Kansas City July 2021. Blessings, Pastor Mindy

From the pastor…

Page 5 August 2019

Themes and texts for August:

August 4: 8th Sunday after Pentecost: “Soul Investment.” Luke 12: 13-21 August 11: 9th Sunday after Pentecost: “By Faith.” Hebrews 11:1-3,8-16 August 18: 10th Sunday after Pentecost: “Surrounded by Witnesses.” Hebrews 11:29-12:2 August 25th: 11th Sunday after Pentecost: “Call.” Jeremiah 1: 4-10

Fellowship, Learning, and leading opportunities:

As a church we learn and grow in faith together. We need opportunities to be together outside of

Sunday morning worship and committee meetings, we need time to fellowship and learn. I am pro-

posing some opportunities for fun and fellowship, for learning and leading.

Fellowship:

Game night: I think that we need to gather together as an intergenerational family and play

games, card games, board games, word games and as we do we fellowship and get to know one an-

other better. I am looking for someone to set this up and then lots of folks to attend. Call the office,

or let me know if you are willing to lead. I think in the fall is the perfect time to get together with

snacks and fellowship.

Dinner out: I am looking for someone to put together a monthly gath-

ering for a late lunch/ early dinner for folks to gather to chat and fel-

lowship together. Getting to know each other in different ways is al-

ways a great way to build fellowship.

Learning:

Bible study: I would like a fall Bible Study to start. I have some ideas

for books to use, but need someone to lead this. The bible study we would use has a leader’s guide.

Let me know if you would be able to lead this.

There will be sign-up sheets at the church.

Let’s fellowship together!

Pastor Mindy

Vacation Bible School," ROAR: God is Good!", was a success and a lot of fun! A great big thank you to those that helped out this year: Kellie Innes and Molly Wade in the Games rota-tion; Jen Bertoni and Nicole Bertoni in the Drama/Bible Story rotation; and Linda Estle in the Preschool. There were six children from our church that attended VBS this year.

Christian Education News

Page 6 Church Chatter

Immediately after our service on August 4, 2019 a congregational meeting will be held to specifically vote on selling or not selling Sunset Shores Re-treat Center. If you are not available to be here but would like to vote, absentee ballots will be available in the church office from Jennifer. Absen-tee ballots must be returned no later than Satur-day August 3, 2019. If you have questions, please call Anne Stock, 419- 565-7256 or Jim Estle, 440-242-7162.

Voting on Finance Committee’s Recommendation regarding Sunset Shores

Drivers needed!!

We have several members who would benefit from our church providing transportation for them to Sunday services. Fortunately, we also have the offer of using the van from Lucy Idol to do that. Now all we need are drivers. You do not need a CDL to do this, just a small amount of training on the Lucy Idol vehicle itself. A sched-ule would be worked out for your convenience. If this is a ministry you think fits you, please contact Linda Estle at 440-724-5785.

Grace’s Kitchen News!

Our next opportunity to serve is August 9. Sign-up sheets are posted in the balcony of the Sanctuary as well as Fellowship Hall. Please consider lending your time & talents to this important & fulfilling Ministry!

Page 7 August 2019

Serving Our Seniors have Wallet Medical Cards for Erie County seniors, ages 60+. We’d like to help seniors complete these cards… Dates: Aug. 1, 8, 15 and 22; Sept. 5, 12, and 26 Times: 9:00am to 12:00pm on each day listed (plan ½ hour for each appt) Location: Sandusky Church of the Nazarene

1617 Milan Rd. Sandusky, OH 44870

PLEASE CALL TINA AT SERVING OUR SENIORS

TO SCHEDULE TIME TO COMPLETE A CARD: 419-624-1856

Keep yourself safe in an emergency—

Thank you!

Thank you to those who helped with preparation, des-serts and serving for the funeral meal at Miriam Smith’s Memorial Service: Sue Moehle and her granddaughter Eliana Moehle, Jen Bertoni, Kim Ickes, Faye Stahl, Judy Klucas, Diane Langham, Gayle Farschman, Ginny Wilkes, Val Hildum, Shelly Innes, Pat Zimmerman, Shirley Lehky, and Sally Fox.

990 State Street

Vermilion, OH 44089

United Church of Christ Congregational

August Servants of the Church:

Usher Coordinators: Members at Large

Greeter Coordinator: Annalee Hector

Coffee Hour Hosts: Choir

Altar Committee: Karen Howell

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID Vermilion, OH 44089

Permit No. 18

No matter who you are

Or where we are on life’s journey

You are always welcome here. As we journey together we discover…

Love is the key! Love of neighbor, children, and creation.