The Montgomery Presbyterian Church Newsletter

THE CHIMES

MARCH 2021 Dear friends in Christ,

One year ago this month, everything changed. You know the story because you lived it; I won’t bore

you with the details. We have been living a very different kind of life than what we are used to, and church has been no exception to that. Everything has changed here, too.

I write this the day after America passed the grim marker of 500,000 coronavirus deaths. Even if you

don’t know any of those 500,000 people, it is appropriate to recognize the scale of that number—more than Cincinnati and Dayton combined. All of these people were part of the fabric of their community. They leave behind families and friends; they are more than a statistic.

Per our Lenten devotional with the psalms, I’ve been trying to make sense of the last year. Where is

God when suddenly we are told to stay away from our neighbor? Or when an entire year of church must go on YouTube? What was God doing when one out of every 650ish Americans died from a plague? I certainly don’t have an answer that convinces me, let alone you. This is the sort of question we must ask of God directly in the hope of receiving wisdom.

Last week I preached on the difference between Exile and Wilderness in the Bible. I haven’t figured

out which one we are experiencing now, but I am confident it is one or the other. And while it doesn ’t justify the suffering that has permeated life around the world in the past year, I know how God operates when God’s people are in the wilderness or have been taken to exile. In both cases, God has given the people the option of a clean break from what didn’t work before, and prepares them for a different kind of future.

Some of you have called in to let Cathy and me know you’ve been fully vaccinated. Thank you, con-

gratulations, and I can’t wait until it’s all of us! But we also field questions about when church will be normal again. And look—I am so excited to see all of you in that sanctuary, your full faces visible, bringing glory to God through prayer and song. Which we will do again, someday (no date is set, don’t hold your breath). But as much as I want us to worship in person and enjoy fellowship and Christian education together—I don’t actually want normal. I think that maybe, amid the worst year many of us can remember and tragedy we can barely comprehend—God has done for us what God has done for so many people in our story of faith. God has given us a clean break, if we choose to take it. God has given us a way around normal and told us “or you could take a different way…”.

At one year into the pandemic, there are reasons to be heartbroken. But there are, for the first time in

so long, reasons to be cheerful. In this time of growing optimism about life after Covid, let us not forget our church. What can our future look like after we leave the wilderness, after we return from exile? How can we leave normal behind us, and find new ways? Which neighbors will we meet, which ministries will we under-take, which adventures are ahead? If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that one year can change every-thing. Maybe our next one will change us with joy.

Stay warm, stay faithful, stay hopeful.

In Christ, Rev. Ben

MARCH 2021 MPC NEWS Page 2

The Elder for March is Bruce Henry, 513-520-6413. The Deacon for March is Doug Rose, 513-532-3789.

Please join us on Monday, April 19 at 7PM via Zoom to discuss our next book selection, Father Richard Rohr's Falling Upward, A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life.

In Falling Upward, Fr. Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who un-derstand "up." Most of us tend to think of the second half of life as largely about getting old, dealing with health issues, and letting go of life, but the whole thesis of this book is exactly the opposite. It explains why the second half of life can and should be full of spiritual richness, and that what looks like falling down can largely be experienced as "falling upward." Richard Rohr is a Franciscan friar and a contributing writer for Sojourners & Tikkun magazines. This important book explores the counterintuitive message that we grow spiritually much more by doing wrong than by doing right--a fresh way of thinking about spirituality that grows throughout life.

Sadly, because the Covid level in Hamilton County remains RED, we will again not be able to meet on Thursday, March 4, as we had hoped. Let's be prayerfully hopeful that we will be able to gather at 10:30AM on the first Thursday of April, which is April 1, and also is Maundy Thursday. We will discuss the second lesson

CANCELLED in our book on lamentations, Into the Light.

Lt. Commander Raymond Blyskal sends a message of thanks to the MPC Deacons for the delicious cookies (“so many cookies!”) they sent to him. Every year the Deacons send shipments of homemade cookies to honor and support our military members and college students.

Highlights of the Session meeting February 21 2021

Session took these actions:

Approved the Session minutes from January 25, 2021 Regular meeting. Approved the Session minutes from January 25, 2021 Electronic meeting. Approved the minutes from the Congregational meeting January 31, 2021. Approved the Clerks review of the Board of Deacons minutes for the period 1/2020-12/2020. Approved the removal from the rolls Dave Daniels as he has joined Sycamore Presbyterian. Approved the removal from the rolls due to death Andy Reesey. Approved to move the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion from April 4, 2021 to April 11, 2021.

MARCH 2021 MPC NEWS

2021 Holy Week and Easter Schedule

Page 3

Palm/Passion Sunday Sunday, March 28, 10:30 am A celebration of Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Maundy Thursday Thursday, April 1, 7pm Remembering Christ’s final meal with his disciples and his new commandment

Good Friday: April 2; Details to be determined (watch future Little Bells & Chimes)

Easter

Sunday, April 4, 10:30 am Joyful, music-filled celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

On Hold Until 2022...

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, MPC will not be holding our annual Fish Fries this season.

Likewise, because we will not be hold-ing in person Worship by Easter, we will not be ordering Easter flowers this year.

Daylights Savings Time : Spring Ahead!

Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 14. Set your clock an hour forward. And while you are at it, test your smoke alarms and change their bat-teries, according to manufacturers’ instructions.

Three programs supported by One Great Hour of Shar-ing (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People) all work in different ways to serve individuals and communi-ties in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. OGHS dona-tions will be received through April 4. Simply note “OGHS” in your check memo line. Thank you.

Lenten Devotionals Available Lenten Devotionals, with daily prayers, readings and reflections focusing on the Psalms have been mailed and/or sent electroni-cally. Copies are also left out on the table near the main office doors — feel free to pick up a copy to take home for yourself, a neighbor, or Special Friend. Or, contact Cathy in the office if you would like to have one mailed to your home.

The joy of a snow day! While the snow and cold weather may not be everyone’s cup of tea, our neighbors took advantage of MPC’s “slopes” to enjoy some sledding on a day off from school. Our friends at Skyward Academy have also been able to enjoy a few snow days off from school.

MARCH 2021 MISSION/SCHOLARSHIP Page 4

Mission Collection for March In March, we will collect canned goods for the NEEDS pantry. Donations may be dropped off in the office or in the Gathering Room. You may also

send checks with “NEEDS” noted in the memo line, or visit the NEEDS website at https://cincyneeds.org/

Dear Members of MPC,

Thank you very much for your recent gift to the Lighthouse Youth and Family Services. I’m so moved by your thoughtful-ness and generosity. Your gift to the 2020 Happy Holidays gift drive was used for young families in need at a time when their future appeared bleaker than ever. Thanks to you, we were able meet the needs of more than 1400 clients and make their holiday a bit brighter. Through your support, Lighthouse contin-ues to be a beacon of hope for those who need it.

Doug Bierer, Lighthouse Foundation Chair & Board Member

Update on MPC Scholarship Recipient DanAzia Monroe DanAzia Monroe, has been, for the last two years, a recipient of the MPC Scholarship. MPC first met DanAzia and her family through Operation Give Back. She attends Wilmington College, and is in her sophomore year, majoring in Psychology with a minor in English. DanAzia was recently featured in Wilmington College’s December newsletter. The following is an excerpt from that publication.

DanAzia Monroe chose Wilmington College after visiting many colleges and found that WC was just the right size and felt that she would be cared for as an individual, not just a number. When asked about the challenges of Fall Semester learning under COVID-19 restrictions, DanAzia shared, “It’s more difficult to learn online. I prefer in-person classes with one-on-one engage-ment. Here, my professors know my struggles and work to help me. It’s also been hard not being able to socialize with more peo-ple. Meeting other students is what helped guide me through my freshman year.”

WC students returned to campus in August. Students remained on campus for a successful blend of online, hybrid, and in-person learning until the Friday before Thanksgiving. DanAzia continued, “Going from being quarantined for so long [March—August] to returning to campus was great for our social well-being, mingling and meeting people. I enjoyed that the campus and organizations found creative ways to host safe events. A favorite of mine was a bonfire that the STEM Society hosted right before break.”

DanAzia is also grateful for the faculty who go above and beyond to make online learning work. “My teachers make it known that they are available and here to help. My professors, Ursula and Marta, check in on me to make sure that I don’t fall behind.”

Students like DanAzia eagerly returned to campus for their spring semester. DanAzia looked forward to “coming back to campus with a clean slate, returning to classes, and hanging out with friends — socially distanced, of course.”

Despite a disruptive and difficult year, Wilmington College, and its students, like DanAzia, have adapted and made the changes and upgrades necessary to allow learning and growth to continue in a safe and effective manner.

march 2021 PRESBYTERY Page 5

A little daily inspiration courtesy of Crescent Springs Presbyterian Church...

For the latest information on COVID-19 advisories, guidance, testing facilities, resources, and other information, please visit COVID-19 - Hamilton County Public Health | Hamilton County Public Health (hamiltoncountyhealth.org)

************************************************************************************ If you need a ride to a vaccination appointment, please contact Sue Poulos, 793-3966. She or one of the Deacons may be able to help! Or, call Home52 Transportation, at (855) 546-6352; they can coordinate and provide appropriate transportation to adults age 60+ who are unable to get to a vaccination site. ************************************************************************************

New Information About Attending Taping of Worship Services

Congratulations to those who are fully (or nearly fully) vaccinated against COVID-19, and thank you for notifying the office of your vaccination status. We are gradually welcoming back fully vaccinated mem-bers to attend filming of our Worship services. Taping typically occurs on Thursdays at 4:30 in the sanc-tuary. (Going forward that time may change, and we will communicate any schedule change.)

Because space is limited and the number of people we may admit will vary depending on the service, please call or email the office to RSVP by 2:00 on the day of taping. Please also note that social dis-tancing and mask wearing will be practiced, and there will be no Fellowship or coffee hour before or after the service.

Attending the taping is not the same as re-opening for Worship. This intermediate step primarily affords an opportunity for participation for people who may have trouble viewing the services online. If a (fully vaccinated) Special Friend does not have computer access, for example, this may be a good avenue for them to re-engage with the church. Please contact Rev. Ben or Cathy if you have any questions.

COMMUNITY

Mental Health Resources in Montgomery (taken from www.montgomeryohio.or g)

It is no secret that people are stressed out now more than ever. The combination of a global pandemic, social/political unrest, and financial pressures has caused an increase in mental health calls for first responders. These runs often mani-fest themselves as neighbor conflicts, domestic disputes, self-harm, and alcohol/drug abuse issues. Montgomery Officers routinely respond to these calls and wish to make everyone aware of community resources.

For mental health emergencies, citizens can call the Montgomer y Police Depar tment at 513-985-1600 or the Hamilton County Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) at 513-584-5098. The MCT is made up of clinically trained personnel who respond to mental health emergencies throughout the community. The MCT often works with police officers to deescalate persons and connect them with treatment.

For non-emergency mental health calls, please contact Mental Health Access Point (MHAP) at (513) 558-8888. This is a centralized access point that matches customers with various service providers.

For substance abuse issues, citizens can call the Recover Health Access Center at (513)281-7422. They provide 24-hour service for a full continuum of substance abuse issues for individuals and families.

The Montgomery Police Department is committed to protecting the community and ensuring the safety of all resi-dents. If you or a loved one need assistance, please reach out to the above resources or contact the Montgomery Po-lice Department at 513-985-1600.

More Memories, Until We Can Be Together In Person...

THE CHIMES Montgomery Presbyterian

Church Newsletter

Office Hours: 8:00-3:30 Tuesday-

Thursday 513-891-8670

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! www.facebook.com/

MontgomeryPresbyterianChurch

Montgomery Presbyterian Church 9994 Zig Zag Road—Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED