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Calvary Compass September

2018

Sunday Hours Sunday School 9:00 am

Worship 10:00 am Calvary Kids 10:20 am

Reverend Ramblings pg. 2

Mission & Evangelism pg. 3

Community Events pg. 4

Church Events pg. 5

Calendar pg. 7

Consistory News pg. 8

Upcoming Events 5th- Choir Potluck and Practice

9th- Rally Day “All God’s Creatures”

10th- Ladies Night 6:30 @ Library

30th- Harvest Home Soup Lunch

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Gossip can be toxic for relationships. When

we share negative information about others, we risk

hurting our peers’ feelings, eroding trust, and

destroying friendships. But, counterintuitively,

research suggests that this social behavior may not

be entirely negative.

Tantalizing talk is nothing new. In fact, the

first written record of gossip—hearsay about an

affair between a man and a married woman—was

found etched in a clay tablet around 1500 BC.

Nowadays, research shows that almost 70% of our

daily conversations revolve around talking about

other people.

While gossiping is discouraged in a

congenial society, evidence is growing that it may

promote some healthy behaviors. For example, a

new study published in a medical journal examines

how gossiping affects the hormone levels

responsible for feelings of euphoria, love, and trust.

This small study of female college students between

the ages of 20 and 22 found that gossiping causes

their bodies to release more of the hormone oxytocin

(aka the “love drug”). This hormone is responsible

for harmonious social behavior, as it promotes

relationship bonding and feelings of trust and

generosity.

When these women were told to gossip

about a fellow student, their brains released more

oxytocin than when they were told about another

student who had injured herself and needed their

emotional support. Based on these results, the

study’s researchers concluded that there might be a

hidden physiological upside to gossiping.

Unlike the salacious gossip spread by

celebrity tabloids, the researchers identified a type

of gossip called “prosocial gossip.” This form of

communication alerts others about dishonest and

potentially dangerous people, such as a

backstabbing work colleague or an untrustworthy

friend.

“We shouldn’t feel guilty for gossiping if it

helps prevent others from being taken advantage

of,” said Matthew Feinberg, a social psychologist

Feinberg and his colleagues concluded that under

certain circumstances, gossip might help reduce our

stress levels, protect others from potential harm, and

even promote altruistic behavior.

Another study, this one conducted at

Staffordshire University, introduces the concept of

“positive” gossip, such as sharing news about

someone’s accomplishments. Researchers found

that partaking in positive gossip can temporarily

boost our self-esteem and may help us feel more

emotionally supported by others.

But while there may be an upside to

gossiping, let’s not forget the many potential

downsides of participating in this behavior. For

example, a recent study published in the medical

journal Pediatrics reveals that more teenage girls

are suffering from depression than they have at any

other point in history—and gossip being shared

about them on social media is partly to blame.

Researchers also note that parents who criticize

others are more likely to raise aggressive teenagers

who instigate fights with their peers and gossip about

them.

So, while gossiping may temporarily elicit a

few feel-good hormones and help us feel better

about ourselves, there are still real ramifications for

the person being gossiped about. Before we leave

an irreversible social scar, we should consider if by

making ourselves feel better, we may be making

someone else feel worse.

Article by Dr. Juli Fraga

Reverend Ramblings

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Evangelism & Missions Listen! What language do you hear?

It was August 5, the first Sunday of the Month. Not only was it Communion Sunday, but also

the kickoff for the Harmony House Mission Month for August and I was also worship leader faced

with having to pronounce some foreign words. I would have no idea of what language I was

speaking, or how to pronounce them. I assumed from the start that the words: Senti! Akouo!

Mira!... all meant listen! I was in a ‘Dora the Explorer’ mood and since I had gotten a copy of the

bulletin on Friday…I decided to do a computer search. But where do I start? Play time with

cyberspace at my fingertips. I discovered that Senti was Italian, Akouo was Greek, and Mira was

Persian…oops it was also Spanish! Childhood memories came back of going out to eat and a group

of people would be speaking in some strange language. Comments were made about how rude

they were not to speak in English, so we could understand them, like they were sharing some deep

secret. I’m not sure it even occurred to us that they didn’t know how to speak English or that they

were having normal conversation, after all they were in America and were “expected” to speak our

language. I remembered trying to learn French, Latin, and German. Spelling and reading were

difficult, when speaking I was tongue tied and confused and now I remember very little…except they

were people like me, just as tongue tied and confused as I was trying to learn a foreign language.

Now I listen to the sounds of the falling rain, the sounds of a heart beating, the sounds of a

storm raging in the night, or a fire consuming everything in its sight. These could all be life or death

situations. How do we discern God’s will for our lives when unexpected events happen? At times

our world seems to be in turmoil. How do we sort out the ‘Truth of God’s Love’ vs. the ‘Fake News’

of the opposing sides, who claim to be right, left, or ‘Correct’! All we hear is the clamor for justice

and truth, and our words are distorted by partial truth and false imaginings. Where do we place our

bets? ‘Winners take all’…and losers lose control of their lives and ‘go home with their tails between

their legs’ in shame, or hopeless in a world gone insane. Where are you on a scale of 1 to 10? How

about confused?

As a Christian, I sometimes wonder what my mission is…let alone wonder how to do

evangelism, when my thoughts get lost in the turmoil. Sunday, September 9th is Rally Day, also

known to some people as Faith Formation Sunday, a new name for Christian Education which

involves the whole life of the church. It is also the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Let’s take

some time to remember from where our faith has come. Let us listen and wonder where our faith is

going as we explore our journey into the future.

When I was exploring earlier I discovered these sayings: Love is about talking and

listening…so talk, but listen and hear rather than listen to answer…You can get through this if you

talk and listen to one another…It is love at first listen when you hear an intriguing accent of a voice

you know and are loved. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down like the rush of the wind. Each

person heard the message of God’s love in their own language and felt loved. God speaks no

language yet speaks them all. Love and acceptance are something we can all understand no matter

the language that is spoken. May your explorations with the Holy Spirit open you up for many

blessings to know God’s love in the people you meet. May you learn to “listen” without language.

-Sincerely, Your Evangelism and Mission Team at Work.

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October 9th is Operation Street-Smart Workshop at 4:30 – 7:30 pm

(no meal).

The goal of Street Smart is to provide current and up-to-date

narcotics information on trends, terminology, paraphernalia,

concealment techniques, and physiological effects to those

individuals who deal with today’s youth daily.

This program includes actual examples of current designer street

drugs such as XTC, Bath Salts, Huffing, LSD, GHB, K2/Spice,

and Khat. This is an opportunity for parents, grandparents and family members to

educate themselves about drugs and addictions. A strong emphasis is placed on the

physiological effects of the drugs and indicators to look for. So-called “traditional” drugs

such as marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroin, and methamphetamine are also covered

extensively as teenagers still heavily abuse these drugs.

Players Needed for Dartball

We need eight to ten players to commit to play every

Monday night from November to March for the

Calvary UCC team. Games start at 7:30 pm.

Players throw 7-inch wooden darts with feathers

from 25 feet to a playing board in the shape of a

baseball diamond either overhand or underhand.

Three games are played per night. Each member will

be asked to serve dinner at the end of the evening of

one of our home games. If interested, please see Don

Graf at 419-683-1446. Please sign up before

September 16th.

September 16th- Dartball Captain’s Meeting 2:30 pm.

Community Events

Red Door Kidz An after-school faith bases program

for kids ages 5-12 4:30- 5:30 pm

Every Wednesday September through May

(unless there is no school in Crestline) Volunteers are appreciated.

For more information see the bulleting board outside the office.

Ladies Night

At the Crestline

Public Library

September 10th, 6:30 pm

Movie (PG-13) Ages 16+

Sign Up Required

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Harvest Home Lunch: September

30th a lunch will be held after

worship. The menu consists of a

variety of soups, hot dogs/rolls, and

drinks. Everyone is asked to bring

their favorite dessert to share. This

is an opportunity to share a fall meal

of soup with friends at Calvary!

This is a sponsored event of the Lay

Life & Work Committee.

Heart to Heart: fall meeting

will take place on September 11, 7:00

pm at the church to plan for the

calendar year. Every woman is

encouraged to bring a dessert to share.

Upcoming Events in October:

October 4th- “Joy in the Journey”

Luncheon with speaker from the

Alzheimer association

October 13th- Apple Dumpling

Festival

October 9th- Operation: Street

Smart 4:30- 7:30 pm

Church Events

September is Food Pantry Month at Calvary

Items may be left at the designated areas in the Narthex. A

partial list of non-perishable items includes:

• Canned fruit and juice

• Breakfast items, such as cereal, oatmeal and pancake mix • High protein foods such as peanut butter, canned meats, canned beans and stews • Canned vegetables • Infant formula and baby food • Dinner items such as pasta, macaroni & cheese and potato mixes • Lunch items such as canned or dried soups or canned

pasta items, crackers and snacks

You can find a complete list on the bulletin board outside

the church office.

On the last Sunday of September, the food will

be displayed around the altar.

Choir will hold their annual start up pot luck on September 5th at 6:30 and choir

practice will follow at 7. Thank you for another year of wonderful music.

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BACK TO SCHOOL

ALL CHURCH “Rally Day”

All God’s Creatures

September 9th

The whole church family is invited AGENDA: 9:00 AM All Church Breakfast

9:20-9:50 AM Activities (Hula-Hoops, Hop-Scotch, Balloon release and music)

All Classes begin on Sept. 16th. K-3rd Middle Elementary 4-6th Older Elementary

7th + Confirmation & Jr. High Open Door Adult Class

Adult Elective- “Parables”

Apple Dumpling Work Days: September

19 and 22, at 9:00 am at the church.

Everyone is invited to help prepare the

dumplings for our fall festival (October

13th) at Calvary. This is a community

event that Lay Life & Work Committee has

sponsored since 2004. Come and help with

the apple preparations and dough rolling.

Church Events Our collection for the Harmony House Homeless

Shelter in Mansfield was a success. We were able

to collect blankets, sheets, diapers, and money to

help support our neighbors in need. Harmony

House is always accepting donations, if you

would like to give in the future donations can be

taken to their main office at 124 W. 3rd Street in

Mansfield. Thank you all for your support with

this project. Remember: Homeless not Hopeless

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September Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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2 Communion

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Labor Day

Office Closed

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Farmers Market

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Choir Potluck

6:30 pm

Choir Practice

7 pm

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Fellowship Hall

Reserved

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Rally Day! Calvary Nurses

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WIC 8 am

Quilters 9:30 am

Ladies Night 6:30

@ Library

Dave & Cathy

Strauch

Debbie Eckstein

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Heart to Heart

7pm

Dorothy Colcott

Farmers Market

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Mission/

Evangelism

Meeting 3 pm

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16 Christian Ed-11

Sunday School Classes Begin 9 am

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Jerry & Sandra

King

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Farmers Market

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Apple Dumpling

prep 9 am

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Elders 6 pm

Consistory 7 pm

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Harvest

Festival

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Apple Dumpling

prep 9 am

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Harvest

Home – Soup

Lunch after

worship

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WIC 9 am

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CAMP work day

at old Hutson

Field

Farmers Market

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Community

Meal @ Calvary

UCC 5:30pm

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PURPLE-

BIRTHDAYS

BLUE-

ANNIVERSARIES

September is Food Pantry Month. Please see the bulletin board for a list of

suggested items.

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Check out Calvary’s Web Site at calvaryucccrestline.org

Also “like” us on Facebook at Calvary United Church of Christ, Crestline, OH

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Calvary United Church of Christ

511 Heiser Ct.

Crestline, Ohio 44827