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.

December 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

Odds ‘n’ Ends 3

Pastor’s Post 4

Grace’s Kitchen 5

Concert Info 6

Good Luck Pot Luck 7

Longest Night 9

Christian Ed. News 10

Dec. 8th Advent Workshop Dec. 15th Cookie Walk Membership Christmas Dinner at the Rumsey Ballroom Dec. 22nd Christmas Pageant Dec. 24th Family Service, 4 pm Candlelight Service, 10 pm Dec. 29th Lessons and Carols service Jan. 5th Good Luck Pot Luck Jan. 26th Annual Meeting

It’s a Christmas Party! Sunday December 15, 4-7 pm

Fun Games Food

Donations rather than tickets will be taken BUT you must make a reservation! The menu has yet to be determined but guaranteed to be delicious. Fun and laughs with Mary Hook. Ask anyone who went last year and I’m sure you’ll get a rave review! Call 967-5212 for a reservation.

Sponsored by the membership committee.

Page 2 Church Chatter

December 2019

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Carol Harrold 2 JoAnn Lewis 4 Eldon Langham Megan Wade 5 Craig Riddle 6 Mary Hook 7 Mary Jane Burger Brian Akers

10 Bud Ennis 12 Sue Opperman John Trinter Ruth Maurer 14 Gene Todd 21 Audrey Mosier 22 Olivia DeBolt 25 JESUS! 26 Timothy Fenton

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 9 am Choir

9 am Missions

9 am Bible Study

10:30 am Worship

12 pm Stephen Min.

6 pm AA

2 6 pm Property

8 pm AA

3

4 5:30 Girl Scouts

6 pm Bells

7 pm Diaconate

5 Grace’s Kitchen

6 12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

7

8

9 am Choir

9 am Finance

9:30 H.S. Coffee

10:30 am Worship

11:30 Advent Wkshp.

6 pm AA

9 10 am Lucy Idol

12:30pm Bridge

8pm AA

10

11

DNS Gingerbread

Day

12 pm Marmaru

5:30 Girl Scouts

6 pm Bells

12

7pm Boy Scouts

13 Pantry

12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

6 pm Christ-

mas Joy

7pm AA

14

15 9 am Choir

10:30 am Worship

11:30 Cookie Walk

12 pm Members at

Large meeting

4 pm Membership

Dinner

6 pm AA

16 8pm AA

17

Rachel Circle

18

1 pm Prayer Grp

5:30 Girl Scouts

6 pm Bells

7 pm Council

19

7pm Boy Scouts

20

12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

21

5 pm

Longest

Night

Service -

CCUCC

Amherst

22 9 am Choir

10:30 am Worship–

Xmas Pageant

6 pm AA

23 10 am Mary Lee

Tucker Clothe a

Child

8pm AA

24 4 pm Family

Service

10 pm Candle-

light Service

25 Merry Christmas!

26

3:45 Member-

ship

7 pm Boy Scouts

27 12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

28

29

9 am Choir

10:30 am Worship

6 pm AA

30 8 pm AA

31

29 Denise Doyle 31 Andrew Grote Janet Grote

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 12 Ron & Gloria Kocan ‘70 17 Kevin & Kim Mc Guinn ‘88 22 Fred & Karen Rossi ‘90

December 2019 Page 3

Merry Christmas!

To me, Christmas is about light coming into the darkness. God sent his Son to be the light in times of darkness—both as a light when the world is in dark times and light to each of us personally when we feel the dark night of our souls enveloping us. Christmas lights brighten our home and our communities. Candles light up our sanctuaries. Christ lights up our lives. Most of all our church family brings the light of hope to all those we touch. Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you and your families this Christmas season. I am filled with joy to be part of this church family. In the light of Christ, Anne

Need a ride to church? Call 440-967-5212!

Lucy Idol has offered us the use of their buses to transport folks to church. All we pay is for fuel!! Is this a deal or what? Now all we need are drivers. No special license is required, but a little training will be needed. We are hoping to assemble a group of volunteers so people can switch off. Please call 967-5212 to have your name added to the list.

Just 2 weeks left until you can purchase your holiday treats at our annual Cookie Walk on December 15th. We are still in need of individuals to bake 4 dozen cookies, help with set-up and help with clean-up. If you can help, please contact Judy Klucas (440-967-5266) or Anne Stock (491-565-7256) or sign up during coffee hour. Sign-up sheets will still be available December 8th.

Help us connect with our High School Grads!

We are looking for Contact information for our recent High School

graduates. If you have someone in your family who graduated from

high school in the last few years, please contact the office and let us

know how best to keep in touch!

Christmas and our Cookie Walk is Coming!

Page 4 Church Chatter

On December 1, 2018 I began my ministry with you as your called

settled pastor. It began on a run, as it was the season of Advent.

Advent is a season that prepares for the coming of Jesus. Advent in

Latin means “coming”. We prepare our hearts, our lives, our places

where we live, we prepare our very selves for the coming of Jesus.

It was first celebrated when the monks in 567 ordered a fast on the

weeks leading up to Christmas.

There are many customs that help us to get ready, to prepare. The

scripture texts during this season of Advent, are apocalyptic. Apocalyptic means

forecasting the ultimate destiny of the world: prophetic apocalyptic warnings, foreboding

imminent disaster or final doom. We light the Advent candles, HOPE, PEACE, JOY,

LOVE. We decorate. We have Advent calendars where we open a door, or erase a mark,

or add a paper chain to depict that we are getting closer to Christmas. It is a complete and

different season than Christmas. It is a time of preparation.

This advent may we be ready. Advent.. a time of preparation, a time of watching, and

waiting, a time of anticipation, a season in and of itself. It isn’t Christmas, it is Advent, a

time to get ready. A time-honored tradition is the lighting of Advent candles to remind us of

Christ’s message of hope, love, joy and peace. The circular Advent wreath represents the

eternity of the blessed Trinity, without beginning or end. The light from the candle’s flame

represents Jesus, the light of the world. As the candles burn, consuming their wax, they

visibly mark the passing of time to Christmas Day. Let us help you prepare as we begin to

celebrate the day of Christ’s birth!

Beginning my ministry among you at Advent, meant jumping in with both feet and trying to

listen, ask questions, and figure out traditions. Asking the questions as to why or for what

reason do we do that, helps us learn what we need to continue and where we need to try

new things.

A year is not a long time, and I am still learning and asking questions. Sometimes you like

what I do and suggest, and at other times well not so much. You have called me to be

your settled pastor, together with the Holy Spirit we will continue to be who and what God

is calling us to at this time and this place.

Advent Blessings,

Pastor Mindy

From the pastor…

Page 5 December 2019

Thank you everyone for helping out at Grace’s Kitchen where we were able to serve a total of 180 meals. This would not have been possible without the amazing crew. We accomplished this with our servers of Tom Orphan, Joe and MaryAnn Brizzolara, Rich Ozmun, Candi Roach, Sally Fox and Carrie Gabriel. Many thanks to Ellen Johnson, Shirley Lehky, Karen Howell, Pat Zimmerman, Shelly Innes, Erin Phillips, Sally Fox, MaryAnn Brizzolara, Judy Brizzolara, and Candi Roach for preparing food. All the guests at Graces

Kitchen appreciate the fresh home made salads and deserts (especially the jello salads). A big shout out to Sally Fox that joined me in "Meatloaf Madness" where we chopped, mixed and baked until they were hot and ready to serve. If you would like to help at Grace’s kitchen contact me (April Urban) at the church or call 440-590-2204

Thank you from Grace’s Kitchen!

Living Water Association General Meeting

On November 2, Judy Klucas & I joined Pastor Mindy as our church’s delegates to the LWA Annual Meeting. The theme of this year’s meeting was “On the Move – Refresh, Renew, Restore” and included the challenge of a changing culture. How can we continue to grow? One way is to change the way we look at things. Instead of asking “how can we increase membership” we can ask how to make our church the best it can be so that people want to join us. We need to focus on ways to live the gospel, to put God’s call into action with love. The meeting itself was a great example of putting that idea into practice! While business was attended to, the feeling was one of fellowship and ideas brought to God’s table. The Holy Spirit was felt through prayer and song.

One thing that stood out for me is how much the UCC is committed to its vision and mission of justice for all. For example, those entrusted with the church’s investments are instructed to find socially responsible entities.

My favorite part of the day was the contemplation of God’s dream for us. What do we see as God’s dream for us? For our church? Our community? Our world? How are we fulfilling that dream? God calls us to do new things. In what new ways can we make God’s dreams realities? We were invited to write something we felt was God’s dream and place it in a basket at the altar. At lunch, we found one of the cards at our seat to be read aloud to the table. The words were different but they shared an underlying theme of love, acceptance and standing up for humanity.

I invite you to contemplate the meeting’s opening statement:

“Be a resource and support for the health and wellbeing (of) our congregations, that we may grow into communities of healing and grace embodying Christ in the world.”

Peace, Judy Brizzolara

Page 6 Church Chatter

Choral Spectrum will be pleased to collaborate with the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in presenting a concert in reflection of the Advent season entitled Hear the Voices! on Sunday, December 1, at 3 PM at the church, 3747 Liberty Ave., Vermilion. The featured work, Cantata #140 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Wake up! The voice calls us) by Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the most famous and beloved of his works. Students from Oberlin Conservatory of Music will play the orchestral parts for this and other works on the program. Among these works is the beautiful Magnificat anima mea by Dietrich Buxtehude and the jazzy Uns ist ein Kind geboren (Unto us a child is born) by the 20th century composer, Heinz Werner Zimmerman. There is no charge for the concert but a free will offering will be taken. A donation of $10 is suggested to help meet expenses for the concert. ————————————————————————————-

The Circle Six group at St. Peter’s UCC in Amherst presents: The Gift of Music with Mary Beth Ions on December 10th. Whether on stage at Severance Hall with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra or in the orchestra pit for touring Broadway shows at Playhouse Square, Cleveland violinist Mary Beth Ions brings her passion for music wherever she plays. Refreshments will follow the concert in the church basement. Donations

will be accepted to cover the cost of the concert. Vermilion UCCC has been given 10 tickets to keep in the church office. Please stop by and pick up a ticket if you plan to attend!

December Concerts!

Live Nativity

St. Matthew, Bethany and Grace Lutheran Churches invite you to:

“Breath of Heaven”

Live Nativity Presentation - 22nd Anniversary

St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 15617 Mason Rd

Saturday, December 14th and Sunday December 15th

4:00 pm-8:00 pm

Walk-through presentations approx. every 15 minutes

Please bring non-perishable food items to be donated to local food banks. Performances by Firelands High School Select Choir

Mark your 2020 calendars for the

Good Luck Pot Luck Sunday January 5, 2020 after worship.

In order to prepare for enough food, we would like to know your intentions. Please sign up by December 31st,

during the Coffee Hours, to hold your reservation for Roasted pork; Gravy; Mashed potatoes; Sauerkraut

AND Please indicate your pot luck dish.

We will also be taking reservations by phone:

Church Office 967-5212 or Diane 967-4493 before the deadline of December 31st,

Please bring a Pot Luck dish according to your last name in the alphabet:

A-J: desserts K-O: vegetables (no potatoes) P-Z: salads

Page 7 December 2019

Good Luck Pot Luck!

Ring the Bell! There are several times available for the Wednesday, Nov. 27 kettle at Giant Eagle. The Dec. 10 commitment needs three more volunteers. All these are indoors! And the money stays in Vermilion! See Pat after church or call her at 440-967-6293.

Congratulations on your First Anniversary!

Congratulations Pastor Mindy on celebrating your first year with us as of December 1. We are so grateful that you chose to take this journey with us. We are loving getting to know you and Jeff. Your spirit and faith come through in all you do and we could not ask for a better fit for our congregation. Thanks for being here. We look forward to another great year with you.

Page 8 Church Chatter

The Stewardship Team extends a huge thank you to those who have participated in our Faith Promise Pledge for 2020.

During the worship service on November 10th, 42 pledges, repre-senting 58 members, totaling $103,680 were brought forward to be blessed at the altar.

We are blessed to have the support of our members so that the church may continue to serve our members, the community and the wider world bringing hope and joy and ministries to all.

Last week Stewardship began to reach out to members unable to attend worship, sharing with them the good news of the ministries provided by or hosted by our church. We are blessed to have this op-portunity for them to add their support of time, talent and treasure to these ways in which God is at work in the world through us.

We are blessed to have you! Thank you! Mary Ann, Rich, Ken and Judy

Kudos to our Stewardship Committee!

Thank You!

Riddle’s Tree of Remembrance

On Sunday, December 1, 2019, Riddle Funeral Home will be shar-ing with the community their 19th annual “Tree of Remembrance Ceremony.” The program will begin at 12:30 pm in Victory Park, located on the corner of Main and Ohio Streets in downtown Ver-milion. They invite any families that have lost a loved one during the year to place a special weatherproof ornament on the tree in commemoration of that loss. Once adorned, the “Tree of Remem-brance” will be a lighted remembrance for all to share throughout this holiday season. Holidays, especially those family traditions celebrated during the Christmas season, can be overwhelming to families who try to celebrate in the absence of a loved one. The staff of Riddle Funeral Home hopes that through the “Tree of Remembrance,” they can help shine a little light into the hearts of those that may find this time difficult.

Thanks to our Stewardship Team—Judy Klucas as chair, Mary Ann Brizzolara, Ken Lewis and Rich Ozmun for their work on phase 1 of our stewardship cam-paign—Faith Promise Pledge 2020. We all benefitted by being reminded about the many ministries of our church and the opportunities share our time, tal-ents, and treasures. And a special thank you to all who pledged during the ser-vice on November 10th and since that day. You make all we do possible.

December 2019 PAGE 7

As we grieve, we often feel a sense of darkness surrounding us, especially during the holiday season. When the world sings “Joy to the World,” our joy is diminished. Gather for this Longest Night Service to hear faith-filled words of hope and encouragement as the sun sets on the longest night of the year.

Sunday, December 21 at 5:00 pm Community Congregational United Church of Christ 379 South Main Street, Amherst

The UCC Congregations of Brownhelm, Community Congregational, St. John’s, St. Peter’s, and Vermilion welcome you.

The Longest night:

A Worship Service for those Grieving this Holiday Season

Update on SSRC:

Thanks to all who came to share our final special time at Sunset Shores. Appreciation to Judy Klucas, Mary Ann Brizzolara, Joe Brizzolara, and April Urban for providing Cocoa and cookies for the event. Thank you to Jake Baker for setting things up and getting things ready to go and espe-cially to Pastor Mindy for leading a sharing time.

On Wednesday November 6th we closed on the property at SSRC. The selling price was $950,000. Our buyer, Shelly Byrnes, grew up in the area and is the sister of Brian Wilson. Shelly has spent time in the summer at Sunset Shores so is very familiar with the property. After closing cost, our first priority is to pay back the money loaned to us by members of the congregation and then to pay back the money we borrowed from our endowment fund including interest that would have been gained if we had not borrowed from the fund. The remainder of the money will be used to further the ministries of the church. Policies will be written for the ways to access and use the SSRC fund.

Thanks to the ONA committee for all the work they have done over the past two years to educate us about the significance of becoming an ONA church. Many of us have known that we are a welcoming church and ask the questions about “why” becoming official is important. We know more now about the importance of the designation and the ways that we can affirm all

people and include and encourage everyone in full participation in the church. Our team includes Pat Zim-merman as chairperson, Mary Ann Brizzolara, Joe Brizzolara, April Urban, Peter Hart, Judy Brizzolara, Nicole Bertoni, Anne Stock, Judy Klucas and Jen Bertoni. Our vote on November 17 th is an exciting endorsement and expansion of who we have always been and continue to be.

Thanks to our ONA Committee!

Page 10 Church Chatter

Children's Christmas Pageant: It's that time of the year again! The Pageant - Symbols of Christmas - will be held during the Mes-sage portion of the worship service on Sun-day, December 22nd. There are a variety of speaking parts available. Children are also needed to usher, greet, and help with Com-munion. We will be practicing for the Pag-eant during Sunday School time on Decem-ber 1st, 8th, and 15th. There will be a dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 21st at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. If your child or grandchild is interested in being a part of the Children's Christmas Pageant but will

not be in church on December 1st, please let me (Shelly Innes) know: 967-4894 or ekinnes@centurytel.net.

Family Christmas Eve Service: 'Twas the Night Before Jesus - This family -friendly Christmas Eve service will be at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24th. This is an interactive service where adults and chil-dren can get involved as we tell the story of Jesus' birth. We hope you will join us!

Coffee and Conversations: This is for youth in grades 6-12. Please Note: There is a date change for De-cember and January. We usually meet on the first Sunday of the month, but during December and Jan-uary we will meet on the second Sunday: December 8th and January 12th. We will still meet at 9:30 am in the Gathering Space of the church on each of these dates.

Sunday School: The lessons in November started an eight part series on Exile and Return. We are shift-ing back in time to look at some of the significant stories in the Old Testament that were foundational for Jesus and the church. We are following the story of the Israelites from the time of King Solomon, through the Babylonian exile, and to their return to Jerusalem. The building, destruction, and rebuild-ing of the temple is a key part of this story. Through stories of Jerusalem and the temple we will learn what each one tells us about God and God's relationship with the people of Israel.

Operation Christmas Joy:

1. We will again be collecting new toys/games for children for Operation Christmas Joy. Drop them off in the church office or under the mitten tree in the Gathering Space. Deadline is December 15th so that they can be packed up for delivery on December 21st. If you wrap the gift please attach a note with in-formation on whether it is for a boy or girl and what age child.

2. Youth Service Opportunity: At 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19th at the Vermilion School Dis-trict's Field House. Come help members of our community pack up Christmas presents and food for local Vermilion families in need during the holiday season. Contact Shelly Innes with questions or for more information.

Christian Education News

December 2019 PAGE 7

Christmas Poinsettias - Order Form

We hope to fill our sanctuary with lovely poinsettia plants. The cost is $8.50 per 6”pot. Please include your payment with your order. Place in the offering plate, or bring/mail to the church office at: 990 State St., Vermilion, OH 44089. All orders are due December 1st. Please pick up your poinsettia after worship on Christmas Eve.

Please Reserve #______Poinsettia(s): Colors: _____ Red _____ Variegated

__________ Instead of a poinsettia, please use my donation for the General Fund.

In Memory of:____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

In Honor of: _____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Given By: _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Phone/Email: ____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Thanks for your generosity, and Merry

Christmas!

Poinsettia form—DUE DECEMBER 1st!:

990 State Street

Vermilion, OH 44089

United Church of Christ Congregational

December Servants of the Church:

Usher Coordinators: Christian Ed. Committee

Greeter Coordinator: Gloria Kocan

Coffee Hour Hosts: Women’s Coordinating

Altar Committee: Jane Dean

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.