Tidings C H R I S T ’ S R E F O R M E D C H U R C H - U C C

Harvest Home Project;

Church Photo Directory;

165th Church Anniversary

2

Getting Started with Mindfulness 3

Men’s Fellowship;

Women’s Fellowship;

Weekly Lectionary Readings;

From the Pulpit

4

Micah’s Backpack;

REACH Week;

Heidelberg Mission Project

5

Medicare Update;

Anniversary Offering;

Breast Cancer Walk

6

Consistory Notes; Music News 7

Birthdays and Anniversaries;

Annual CAC Meeting

8

Here Ye! Here Ye!;

Lectionary Reflection Group

9

October 2019 Calendar 10

For the Young or Young@Heart 11

Tidings

Volume Issue

Inside this issue:

In 2009-2010, I served as an interim pastor of a

congregation in Kansas City. I did not work hard

enough to convince the laity to make changes,

so the next pastorate was a failure. The pastor left

after only one year! This failed pastorate was my

fault because I had not worked hard enough to

address the congregation’s systems problems.

You don’t want your next pastor to leave after a year or two, because you

and I had not made the necessary changes!

The last major task we have to do together is really important: to examine

your leadership systems, looking for things that might hold you back.

This requires that you look at by-laws, which is not an exciting topic for

most people. But it really is important. In fact, I truly believe that this is

the key to revitalizing CRC and having a positive relationship with your

next pastor. I have been with you long enough to have positively

identified this as the central problem that has been draining the vitality

out of this particular body of Christ. I want you to succeed!

Here is a summary of the most serious problems that I have noticed:

1. The by-laws currently seem to give the Consistory more

power than the Congregation. This is not compatible with the

Reformed tradition or with your own Constitution.

2. The current nominations and elections process discourages

broad participation, and it is un-democratic. A future

Consistory could simply appoint its own successors!

3. The current by-laws related to the Parish Relations

Committee makes it unlikely that that committee will be able

to help the next pastorate to be successful.

4. The culture of the congregation, and its by-laws, must reflect

the best Christian values and democratic ideals. This is not

about particular individuals, but rather about the unhealthy

culture of the congregation, which is reflected both in the

status quo and in its by-laws.

Adjusting the by-laws will be an unpopular thing to do. Not everyone will

want to change. But it is urgent enough that I am willing to stick my neck

out and risk my job. These changes (and a cultural change) are more

important than anything else I have talked about. I would stake my

reputation on it. Again, I am absolutely convinced that your next period of

ministry might well be a failure if you do not take very seriously the

problems I have identified. And this is definitely not the kind of thing that

should wait until the next pastor arrives. You must do it now. I urge you,

therefore, to discuss possible by-laws changes at the annual meeting on

13 October. I only want what is best for you; I could not possibly have any

other motivation than to help you succeed.

The good news is that — as I have said all along — you do have what it

takes to revitalize and grow and re-energize. You really do! If you just

remove the barriers that have been getting in your way, then your future

as a congregation looks bright. And that is really good news!

In the love of Christ,

Derrick

November Tidings

Deadline

October 18, 2019

Page 2 Tidings

SAVE THE DATE!! A

special 165th Anniversary

celebration for our church

is being planned for

Sunday, November 10th.

Rev. Charles Doll, Son of

Christ’s Reformed Church,

will be bringing the message and then

after worship service we will have a

catered meal in the social hall. Cost of

meal is $7 and tickets will go on sale

October 1st. Please sign up to bring a

dessert to share. All are invited to attend so

mark your calendars today.

TIME FOR A NEW

CHURCH PHOTO

DIRECTORY!!

It has been 10 years since

our last photo directory.

The Consistory has voted to

do this project “in-house.”

Larry Stockslager will be

taking each member’s photo. There is no fee

and you will not be pressured to buy anything.

Please call the office to schedule your

appointment!! The office will then compile all

information and shortly afterward a new

directory will be distributed. We are hoping to

complete for our Anniversary Sunday

Celebration. If you are not able to attend

services and would still like to be pictured,

please send in a photo and we would be happy

to insert. Each family will have its own page.

Also, we would like to make sure that we have

your current address and phone numbers!!

Please fill out and send in the attached update

sheet. Thanks for your updates!

Harvest Home Project

The Serving Team is sponsoring a HARVEST

HOME project October 25 through November 24,

2019. Items collected during this time will be for

the REACH Shelter which begins their season on

October 27, 2019. Please see a complete list on

the bulletin board in the Parish House Kitchen.

Thank you! ~ from the Serving Team

FOOD/BEVERAGE

Cereal (No Cheerios please)

Caffeinated coffee (large canisters)

Decaffeinated coffee (large canisters)

Sugar

Pop Tarts/Cereal bars

Oatmeal packets

CLEANING SUPPLIES

Hand sanitizer (large bottles)

Clorox cleaning wipes

39-gallon trash bags

13-gallon trash bags

Multipurpose cleaner

Dish soap

Bathroom shower scrubbers on handle

PAPER PRODUCTS

Toilet paper

Napkins

LAUNDRY NEEDS

Laundry pods

Due to an abundance of supply —

please NO conditioner or body soap!

Donations are accepted Monday-Friday,

9:00—4:00 pm

at the REACH office

Church Events

Page 3

Getting Started with Mindfulness

Mindfulness practices bring many benefits but don’t have to be overwhelming. Like

many habits, the more we practice, the better we get, but we don’t have to be

experts before we can start. Here are some ideas for getting started with

mindfulness in small doses in a variety of ways until you hit your stride.

1. Mindful Mornings. Are you aware of how you start the day? Even before

you get out of bed, take some deep breaths, use a favorite centering prayer,

or pause to be aware of how the various parts of your body feel.

2. Working Ways. When you sit in your chair, let yourself feel your body come into contact

with the chair, the floor, the desk, or other physical tools of your profession. Draw a

breath and let it out slowly before moving on to be physically present to another

dimension of your space before being lost in the rush of tasks.

3. The Best Intentions. We all have things we have to do every day that consume most of

our time. It only takes a few seconds to choose something that we want to be today —

kind, calm, patient. What value is on your heart that you want to embrace in this moment?

4. Noticing Senses. Try using a sense you don’t usually focus on. Close your eyes and

listen. Stop moving and be still. Inhale deeply the fragrances around you. Touch a new

texture. In that moment, what is that sense of discovery like?

5. All the Feels. We do so much on auto-pilot, from small tasks like brushing our teeth to

important tasks like how we fuel our bodies or have conversations. For one minute, turn

off auto-pilot. What does it feel like to brush your teeth? To scratch the dog’s chin? To

inhale clean laundry?

6. The Real Truth. When you have a self-deprecating thought, nip the rumination in the

bud by speaking truth out loud. Say something positive and admirable about yourself,

take a deep breath, and sit with the truth for a moment before moving on.

7. Flickering Flames. Light a candle and simply watch it flicker and dance. Let the simple

movement of the light calm you. You are not trying to think about anything or accomplish

anything but simply notice.

8. Soothing Showers. A warm shower already has a calming effect for many people. Use it

as an opportunity to intentionally slow down, notice the sensory experience and observe

your thoughts without judging them.

9. Ritual Richness. Your own mini-ceremony for anything from how you prepare your tea

to clearing your desk — and your mind — at the end of the day can create calming space

for you to better manage stress in your life.

10. Cool Spots. Choose a spot where you can be alone for five minutes — even in the midst

of a group of people, such as on a bus or subway ride. Anywhere you can close your eyes,

breathe intentionally, and observe your senses will help reduce stress.

Church Health Reader, Summer Edition,

“Mindfulness and Meditation — Looking Inward for Living Outward”

Page 4 Tidings

Weekly Lectionary

Readings

October 6 Lamentations 1:1-6 & 3:19-26;

Psalm 137; Habakkuk 1:1-4 & 2:1-4;

Psalm 37:1-9;

2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10

October 13 Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7; Psalm 66:1-12;

2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c; Psalm 111;

2 Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19

October 20 Jeremiah 31:27-34; Psalm 119:97-104;

Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 121;

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8

October 27 Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65; Sirach 35:12-17;

Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22; Psalm 84:1-7;

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

Growing People of Faith...

We invite all men of Christ’s Reformed

to bring a friend and join us for

breakfast on the road in Middletown.

Saturday, October 19th

8:00 am

Meet in the Parking Lot

17th Sunday after Pentecost/

World Communion Sunday

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Scripture Text: Lamentations 1 & 3, Psalm 137,

2 Timothy 1

Sermon Theme: Lamentations for the City

18th Sunday after Pentecost/Laity Sunday

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Laity Preacher: Larry Sprankle

Scripture Text: Psalm 66:1-12, Psalm 111 &

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon Theme: How Great Thou Art

19th Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Scripture Text: Genesis 32, Psalm 119, Luke 18 & Psalm 121

Sermon Theme: Wrestling with the Angel

20th Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Guest Preacher: Rev. Donald Marbury

Women’s Fellowship Circle

Saturday, October 5th

8:30 — 10:00 am

in the Social Hall (Use the rear entrance)

The Women’s Fellowship Circle will

meet for a pot-luck breakfast October

5th at 8:30 am in the ATS Social Hall.

This month our discussion will focus

around the reading found in the

September/October issue of the Upper

Room pages 40-41 with page 25 as an

additional example. As always, please

sign up in the Parish House Kitchen so

we know to watch for you and remember

that we use the backdoor to the ATS

building. If you haven’t been part of our

group in the past, please consider

joining us. We have good food, fabulous

fellowship and a thoughtful time of

sharing our faith walk. All women of the

church are welcome.

Page 5

...Who Live in Jesus

Cold Weather Shelter

Our week to volunteer at the REACH Cold

Weather Shelter is quickly approaching. Our

scheduled week will begin at 2:00 pm on

Sunday, November 17th and run through 7:00

am on Sunday, November 24th. Volunteers

are needed to help cover intake, laundry,

search, hospitality, overnight, and early

morning duties for that week. Please see

Becky Lohr at church or call her at

xxxxxxxx or

email her at

xxxxxxxx if you

are interested in helping in any way.

MICAH’S BACKPACKS

With school up and running, it is time to start

bringing in our donations for Micah’s

Backpack. Micah’s Backpack addresses

children’s hunger issues by partnering with

Washington County Public Schools and the

Faith Community. Eligible Elementary

students receive a bag filled with healthy food

for the weekend each Friday.

As we help Zion with this service project,

please bring your donations to the box on the

auditorium stage. Items needed:

Individual juices

Oatmeal (box with individual packages)

Shake and pour individual pancake mix

Tuna or chicken salad kits w/crackers

Macaroni and cheese singles

Peanut butter or cheese crackers

Chicken noodle, vegetable or

tomato soup

Apple sauce singles

Fruit cups/single serving canned fruits

Spaghetti O’s, ravioli or chili

Canned vegetables in small cans

Microwave dinners for one

Goldfish

Pudding cups

Granola bars

Individually wrapped snacks: cookies,

potato chips or pretzels

Other foods in single serving sizes

Heidelberg Mission Project

Since 2009 when the Watoto Children's Choir

came to our church, the Heidelberg Class has

sponsored Lydia, a girl in Uganda. Lydia has

grown up and graduated high school and is

doing an apprenticeship in cosmetology. We

corresponded with her through the years and

congratulated her on her graduation.

Since she no longer needed our support, last

September we accepted another girl, 14 year old

Catherine. Her parents were killed in a road

accident and her aunt was no longer able to care

for her and her siblings. She corresponds with us

and is happy to have the comfort and support of

her Watoto Home. A copy of her latest letter is

posted on the Parish House Kitchen bulletin

board. We feel this a worthwhile project and are

pleased to support the

Christian training

these children are

receiving. Tom

VanMetre is our class

president.

Page 6 Tidings

...Who Love One Another

Attention: Members with

Part D Medicare (from your Parish Nurse Health Council)

PART D MEDICARE

(Prescription Drug Coverage)

You must look YEARLY during open

enrollment to verify that your current plan

continues to meet your needs and to avoid

entering the “donut hole.” This year the

open enrollment period is from October 15

through December 7, 2019.

Washington County

Commission on Aging

535 East Franklin Street

Hagerstown, MD 21740

301-790-0275

Call between 9 am—3 pm

Monday—Friday

Contact a Parish Nurse for additional

info: Becky Corderman, Becky Lohr,

Arleta Martin, Linda Mason, Fran Paris

and Cheryl Scholl.

This is being provided by

your Parish Nurses!

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

MAY BE AVAILABLE

GET HELP WITH YOUR

MEDICARE PART D

SEARCH FOR 2020!!

Sponsors Wanted to Fight

Against Breast Cancer

Becky Lohr will be participating again in the

30th Annual Step ‘n Stride Against Breast Cancer

Walk on Saturday, October 19th. She will be

walking for the survivors, the fighters, and the

taken. Please see Becky if you would like to

sponsor her or to send a donation. Thanks!

Anniversary Offering

Anniversary Sunday this year is

Sunday, November 10, 2019. The 165th

Anniversary Fund contributions will be

used for the replacement of the entire

floor in the Church Social Hall. The

quote we have received is for a total of

$19,980.00 of which we have as of the

end of August $9,687.00 earmarked for

this project or approximately half of the

total needed. Please mark your

anniversary contributions toward this

worthwhile project.

Page 7

...and Bear Abundant Fruit

Business Items from Consistory Meeting (9-9-19)

• Approved secretary minutes and treasurer reports.

• Team reports updates included organ and harpsichord re-dedication concert will be September 22 at 4:00. Refreshments to be served similar

to after Sunday service, process for the confirmation of 3 girls within the

congregation, updated shut in list, keyless security system is being

installed, update on the ATS building.

• Budget presented and approved and to be sent out for the approval of the congregation at the meeting on October 13.

• Anniversary Sunday is November 10. Rev. Charles Doll is to be speaker and have a catered meal by Brenda Gaman after the service. Tickets will be sold to help pay for the expense of the catering. Clean up will need

to be done by the church members. Desserts will be made by the congregation. There will be no Sunday

School that day.

• Harvest Home is October 25 to November 24. Collect items for REACH Shelter.

• Tree of Love collecting the month of December and money will go to Micah’s Backpack.

• Anniversary offerings will be going toward the floor in the social hall.

• Pictures are being taken for the new directory. Appointments can be made in the office or after church.

• Nominations for Consistory have been discussed with possible candidates. 4 people have said yes to the nomination and waiting on the last 2.

• Requests for use of the building.

• Dr. Hodge compiled a list for possible by-law changes from the forums after church and expressed that even if no changes are made to the by-laws, it is important to follow those that have already been in place.

From our Music Director

Please consider doing a short time stint in the choir for the cantata which will take place

the third Sunday in December. You would start attending practice in mid November. If

that is still too much of a commitment, consider singing Christmas Eve — only 2 practices.

Also we will need some readers for the Cantata. Next week after Church School, we will

have our first bell practice. Come up & see how easy you can ring a bell without reading

music. We have such wonderful musical resources; it’s a shame we don’t have more

interest in the choirs. ~~ Moira

Kassandra Shirey

Jeffrey Crampton

Mary Ann Springer

Patricia Carpenter

Samantha Schweinhart

Joanna Kemmerer

Anniversaries We wish all a very

happy anniversary.

October Anniversaries

Doug & Teresa Frost

Todd & Cynthia Michael

Tom & Marlene Shank

Robert & Marla Westley

Josh & Amy Miller

John & Bonnie Mazzocchi

Brian & Cassie Wagaman

Frank & Faith Mentzer

Jeff & Abby Housel

Tom & Branda Yeargan

Conway & Barb Barnes

Eubert & Dorothy Burgess

October Birthdays and Anniversaries

If you don’t see

your birthday or

anniversary

listed, the

church office

doesn’t know

about it. Please

call the office so

we can make a

record of it.

Thanks for

helping to keep

our files current.

Birthdays We wish all a very happy

birthday.

October Birthdays

Betty Spessard

Paul Lutman

Scott Barkdoll

Julie Watson

Brenna Lang

Sam Spigler III

Beverly Spigler

Sandra Torreyson

Web Harbaugh

Patricia Hoeck

Brianna Kelley

Marguerite Thomas

Ashley Kemmerer

Shari Teach

Barb Barnes

Rodney Burgan

Darrin Eichelberger

Art Burgan

Brenton Barnes

Lauren Housel

Mindy Lohman-Hinz

Deb Corderman

Patrick Dowler

Page 8 Tidings

55th Annual Meeting of the Central Atlantic Conference

of the United Church of Christ

Date: October 4-5, 2019

Theme: Forward Together in Christ

Place: Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Daylight Saving

Time Ends

November 3rd Turn your clocks back one

hour before going to bed on

Saturday, November 2nd.

Daylight Saving Time ends

on November 3, 2019.

Page 9 Volume 66, Issue 7

Christ’s Reformed Church Phone No: 301-733-4144

Fax. No: 301-733-4145

Van Reservation Line: 301-739-1745

Email: crc1854@myactv.net

Web: www.crcucc.org

TIMES

Morning Worship 9:30 am

Social Time 10:40 am

Church School 11:00 am

CHURCH STAFF

Rev. Dr. Derrick Hodge Interim Pastor

Moira O’Brien Director of Music

Cheryl Wilson Organist

Margaret Bussard Custodian

Karen Stamper Office Manager

Branda Yeargan Program Director

The Lectionary Reflection Group continues

to meet on Wednesdays

at 11:00 am at the church.

Each week we look at the

Bible passages which are

part of the coming Sunday's Lectionary

and/or sermon and discuss them using

commentaries and our life experiences. All

are welcome! We look forward to being

together and greeting any new participants

who wish to join in as well.

Our love and

sympathy to:

… the family of xxxxxxxxx

on her death

… xxxxxxx and family on

the death of her sister –

xxxxxxxxx

New Arrival

xxxxxx

xxxxxx

See Becky Lohr/Fran Paris on the

Sundays in October to join/renew.

October 2019 Activity locations are listed in the Sunday bulletin and on the Parish House Kitchen bulletin board.

If there are other questions, please call the church office at 301-733-4144.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:30 am Parish Nurse

Health Council

6:00 pm Prayer Group

6:30 pm Boy Scouts

2

11:00 am Lectionary

Group

7:30 pm ITP

3

4

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

5

8:30 am Women’s

Fellowship

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

CAC Annual Meeting

6 17th Sunday after

Pentecost/

World Communion

9:30 am Worship

10:40 am Blood

Pressures Taken

11:00 am Church School

11:45 am Bells

6:00 pm Youth

7

7:00 pm Ministry

Teams

8

6:30 pm Boy Scouts

9

11:00 am Lectionary

Group

4:30 pm Chancel

Choir

7:30 pm ITP

10

11

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

12

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

13 Laity Sunday/

Congregational

Meeting

8:30 am Men’s Choir

9:30 am Worship

11:00 am Congregation

Meeting

11:45 am Bells

12:15 pm Youth Lunch

& Corn Maze

14

7:00 pm Consistory

15

6:00 pm Prayer Group

6:30 pm Boy Scouts

16

11:00 am Lectionary

Group

7:30 pm ITP

17

18

Tidings

Deadline

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

19

8:30 am Men’s

Fellowship

Breakfast

Breast Cancer

Walk

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

20 19th Sunday after

Pentecost

9:30 am Worship

11:00 am Church School

21

22

6:30 pm Boy Scouts

23

11:00 am Lectionary

Group

4:30 pm Chancel

Choir

7:30 pm ITP

24

Mail Tidings

25

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

26

2:00 pm AA

Serenity Meeting

27 20th Sunday after

Pentecost with

Guest Preacher

(Rev. Donald Marbury)

8:30 am Men’s Choir

9:30 am Worship

11:00 am Church School

3:00 pm Ballroom

Dance

28

7:00 pm ATS Board

Meeting

29

6:00 pm Prayer Group

6:30 pm Boy Scouts

30

11:00 am Lectionary

Group

7:30 pm ITP

31

Page 10

For the Young or Young@Heart

Page 11

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Phone: 301-733-4144

Fax: 301-733-4145

Van Reservation Line: 301-739-1745

Email: crc1854@myactv.net

Web: www.crcucc.org

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Tidings