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Peace Notes December 2018
Peace United Church of Christ, 37 East Swartzville Road Denver, PA 17517
Pastor’s Page
Dear Friends in Christ: As we enter Advent, the following poem from Ann Weem’s Kneeling in Bethlehem may help us frame our journey:
In Search of Our Kneeling Places
In each heart lies a Bethlehem,
an inn where we must ultimately answer whether there is room or not.
When we are Bethlehem-bound we experience our own advent in his.
When we are Bethlehem-bound we can no longer look the other way
conveniently not seeing stars not hearing angel voices.
We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily tending our sheep or our
kingdoms.
This Advent, let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that the Lord has made
known to us.
In the midst of shopping sprees
let’s ponder in our hearts the Gift of Gifts. Through the tinsel
Let’s look for the gold of the Christmas Star. In the excitement and confusion, in the
merry chaos, let’s listen for the brush of angels’ wings.
This Advent, let’s go to Bethlehem and find our kneeling places.
Our family offers prayers and best wishes to you all for an Advent of anticipation, and a Christmas of great JOY!
Pastor Betsy, Bill, Josh,
Laura and Jack Bruaw
2018 John McDonough, Council President
Mary Getz, Council Vice-President
Jim Anthony, Council Secretary
Margaret Harting, Financial Secretary
Mike Madara, Treasurer
John Haldeman, Administrator
ELDERS John McDonough 717-569-5835
Mary Getz 717-484-2216
Pat Acebo 717-575-1155
Chris Fitterling 717-336-3038
Dan Hall 717-484-4658
Barb Hoffert 717-445-7448
DEACONS Jim Anthony 717-314-2208
Kristine Butz 717-484-0817
Deb Hedrick 717-799-9472
Mark Kline 717-989-4381
Bev Madara 717-484-0895
Jeff Moyer 717-484-4737
Vicki Dowhower 717-823-3446
Brad Wolf 717-738-0485
ALTAR GUILD Edie Graff
Dixie Schweitzer
GREETERS December 2 Mike and Bev Madara December 9 Jeanne Brewer December 16 Rosie Johnston December 23 Jeanne Brewer December 24 Courtney Hall December 30 Nancy Reese
ALTAR FLOWERS December 2 Art and Karen Pannebecker December 9 Claude and Bertha Adair December 16 Ron Parker December 23 Jay and Stacy Burkey December 30 Dixie Schweitzer
The deadline for submitting articles for the January issue of Peace Notes is December 20th. Please put your information on the secretary’s desk or email it to [email protected]
This email address can also be used for information to be printed in the Sunday bulletin.
HEAD USHER Chris Fitterling
December Birthdays and Anniversaries
Say Happy Birthday to: December 2 Judy High** Bev Martin** December 5 Scott Lausch Jason Getz Becky Moyer December 7 Bruce Palsgrove December 12 Nancy Lesher December 13 Ethan Steffey Samuel Steffey December 15 Art Pannebecker Tim Heil December 17 Heather Burky December 18 Duane Good December 19 Georgean Bixler** December 22 Ann Huck December 26 Ann Kohl December 29 Dean Fry December 30 Sam Lesher
Couples Celebrating Anniversaries:
December 13 Allen and Cheryl Schlouch December 14 William and Martha Young December 23 Harold and Ann Kohl
Did we miss your birthday or anniversary this month? Was your information incorrect? If so, please send the correct information to: [email protected] or place a note on the secretary’s desk in the office.
** Special Care and Concern Member
Please remember these members with a card that can be
placed in the birthday box in the Narthex.
Thank You Notes, Peace Pantry and more
I’d like to personally thank the following people who brought me meals and groceries, or took me to Dr. appointments when I had my knee replaced: Jim and Margaret Gress, Bev Madara, Mary Getz, Margret Harting, Linda Long, Dan and Pat Hall, Ray Wolverton, Vicki Garner-Sweigart, Cliff Youndt, Nancy Lesher and John McDonough. I really appreciate everything you did for me. Thank you!!
Mark Kline Thank you for the Special Care and Concern communion service and dinner. It was so nice to see everybody. Also, thank you for the Thanks-giving fruit basket. It is nice to be remembered, especially since I can’t make it to church any longer. I miss you all!
Bev Martin Thank you to everyone who supported the blood drive this year as well as those who prepared a wonderful lunch for all to enjoy. This year, we had our greatest number of donations. Thank you so much for giving the gift of life.
Sincerely, The Butz Family
PEACE PANTRY There will be no Peace Pantry in the month of December.
YOU’RE INVITED… to the 12th annual spaghetti dinner
in memory of Abigail Kristine Butz, on January 12th 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00pm
at the Peace UCC fellowship hall. We are sponsoring this dinner to honor Abi-gail’s life and to help raise money and awareness for three of the organizations that have helped us. The dinner is free. Donations will be accepted for the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Dela-ware and the Histiocytosis Association of America (researches cures for HLH). You may write a check directly to the organization of your choice. We look forward to seeing many familiar faces at the dinner as we honor Abigail's life as well as the opportunity to pass forward all the support we received as well as bring awareness for research for HLH (and other rare blood diseases). We look forward to spending time with you at the spaghetti dinner. Please feel free to share this invitation with others and bring some friends!!
Sincerely, Abigail’s Family
Matthew, Michael, Allyson, Kristine, and Timothy
SCC BIRTHDAY We missed Betty Reichel on our Special Care and Concern list in the October and November newsletters. Please remember her at Christmas and her birthday on August 5. Thank you!
Happenings at Peace
WINTER AND CHURCH CLOSING In the event that the weather and road conditions are so bad and we have no choice, church and other activities will be canceled. Cancellations will be posted in the following ways:
· WGAL – depending on how many can-cellations they are dealing with they may or may not post church cancellations – this is their policy. If they are not posted on TV, they will be posted on the WGAL website under cancellations.
· CHURCH WEBSITE and FACEBOOK PAGE will be used to post closings.
ALTAR GUILD The Altar Guild will be placing the poinsettias in the church sanctuary on Saturday, December 22 at 9:00am.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS Christmas poinsettias can be ordered before and after the 10:30 worship service on Sunday December 2, 9, and 16. The poinsettias are red, 1 branch, 5 bloom and cost $7.00. The Altar Guild will place the poinsettias in the church on Saturday December 22 at 9:00 am and they can be taken home after the Christmas Eve Service.
HEALTH AND WELFARE Santa and the Health and Welfare committee will visit Colonial Lodge for a Christmas party Wednesday December 12th at 6:30. Please meet at 6:15 at Colonial Lodge if you want to join the fun.
SAVE THE DATE The annual Mystery Dinner will be held Saturday, January 19 at 5:00 pm. This year’s theme is Candy Land and other classic board games. Come and enjoy a good, hearty meal and get a little messy!
HANGING OF THE GREENS Hanging of the Greens will be held on December 9 after the Traditional Service. Adult Ministry will serve Pork BBQ and you are invited to bring a covered dish to share. We also invite you to bring a plate of your favorite Christmas cookies to share with our Special Care and Concern members.
A NIGHT OF MUSIC
Grab a friend and join us for dinner and a Night of Music on December 23. Dinner will be served at 5 pm followed by a special music program at 6 pm. Music will include an orchestra, choir, bell choir, solos, and a carol sing. There will also be a live nativity by our children and youth. Join us for what is sure to be an inspiring evening for all ages!
SEARCH AND CALL UPDATE
Our church survey will be coming out in the near future. Please complete and return the survey as soon as you are able. The information you share with us is important in helping to develop an accu-rate representation of who we are as Peace UCC. Thank you for taking the time to help us! If by some chance you don’t receive the email or paper survey, or if you’d prefer to fill it out online, the survey can be found at https://peaceunitedchurch.org/survey/. Last month I shared some of the answers we had for Who we are as a church? As we continue to develop our profile I wanted to share some of the words that we listed for Who is our neighbor? Remember this is all part of the helping to develop our profile to share with future leaders. The words we listed were: Community Dinners, Acts of Love, Tabor, Turnpike travelers, boy/girl scouts, library, power pack, stitch n chat, polling place (elections), youth sports, Homes of Hope, Art Class, Love Inc., cooperative churches, other UCC churches, homeless, food challenged, VBS, whose not?, people around the world, mission trips, help build hope (habitat for humanity), co-workers, our own congregation, refugees, marginalized, and first responders. These words are just what we listed during a brief time. I am sure you have others that you can add to this list. As you look at this list, I am sure you see many neighbors that you are familiar with and maybe even ones that you are not aware of as our neighbors. Knowing who our neighbors are will help us continue to grow as Peace UCC. As we continue this journey, please take the opportunity to share your thoughts both through the “formal” gathering of information that the Profile Committee is doing (survey), but also in the casual conversations you have with others. Once again, thank you for all of your support throughout this process! Peace be with you! Timothy Butz - Chairperson Cindy Anthony Courtney Hall Jeannie Brewer Jack Long Brad Wolf Bob Wolfe
SPECIAL CARE AND CONCERN MEMBERS
CHRISTMAS LIST
Alice Binns Georgean Bixler Maxine Burky Linda Coventry Shirley Endy Leonore Fitterling Marvin Fitterling Ida Franks Betty Good Charlie and Edie Graff Lori Hartranft Judy High Mildred Krick Pierce and Ethel Lesher Beverly Martin Lillian Messner Stewart Mohn Robinette Palsgrove Betty Reichel Sally Romich Ella Mae Shupp May Lou Sweigart Jean Trostle Warren “Slats” Trostle Virginia Tobias Dolly Youndt
BIRTHDAY LIST Shirley Endy January 1 Stewart Mohn January 13 Charlie Graff January 18 Pierce Lesher January 24 Robinette Palsgrove February 8 Maxine Burky March 20 Virginia Tobias March 28 Ella Mae Shupp March 30 Betty Good April 7 Alice Binns April 27 Mildred Krick May 13 Mary Lou Sweigart June 6 Edie Graff June 10 Marvin Fitterling June 22 Dolly Youndt July 13 Sally Romich July 14 Betty Reichel August 5 Linda Coventry August 17 Lillian Messner August 29 Lori Hartranft September 12 Ida Franks September 19 Ethel Lesher September 20 Warren “Slats” Trostle September 27 Leonore Fitterling October 14 Jean Trostle October 28 Judy High December 2 Beverly Martin December 2 Georgean Bixler December 19
We always remember our SCC Members at Christmas and on their birthdays. Christmas cards for each SCC Member can be placed in the Christmas box in the Narthex. We invite you to bring a plate of your favorite Christmas cookies to Hanging of the Greens on Sunday, December 9 to share with our SCC members when the Health and Welfare Committee packs their Christmas bags. We also invite you to sign a birthday card for each SCC member and place it in the box in the Narthex so that their sponsor may deliver the cards in time for their birthdays. No postage or stamp is needed, place your cards in the box and the Health and Welfare Committee will separate and pack them.
The youth and adult ministry hosted dinner and the escape room. Teams of 8-10 people were “locked” in the sanctuary. In order to escape, the groups had to find 3 gifts, unlock those gifts, give them to Jesus, and find the keys to unlock the door to escape the sanctuary. Everyone enjoyed the escape room. If anyone who has not participated is still interested in trying to escape the sanctuary, the youth are hosting this same escape room on Friday, December 28 and Saturday December 29 as a fundraising event. This is open to the public, other youth groups, family, friends, etc. We are asking for a donation of $5. Look for registration coming soon on the website.
Escape Room
Council Minutes - November 13, 2018
Attendees: Rev. Betsy Bruaw, John McDonough, Mary Getz, Chris Fitterling, Dan Hall, Barb Hoffert, Pat Acebo, Bev Madara, Vicki Dowhower, Brad Wolf, Kristine Butz, Deb Hedrick, Mark Kline, Jim Anthony, John Haldeman, Mike Madara. Excused: Jeff Moyer. President John McDonough brought the council meeting of Peace United Church of Christ to order on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Pastor Betsy started the meeting off with devotions and prayer. Review of last month’s minutes: Barb Hoffert made a motion to accept the minutes as presented and Pat Acebo seconded the motion. Motion carried. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Mike Madara presented the financial report for the month of October. The memorial fund balance reflects the purchase of the bell tables and foam. Mike will update the monthly report to include the changes that were made for the next years budget. Mark Kline made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report as presented and Dan Hall seconded the motion. Motion carried. Administrator’s Report: The workday on October 20 was successful. The one hallway thermostat was replaced for a cost of approx $90. Home Depot has a similar model for $48. John is requesting to buy 6 more to replace the thermostats, this will cost approx. $300. Chris Fitterling made a motion to approve this expense, and Bev Madara seconded. Motion carried. There are problems with the toilets running in the building. 2 have already had their flush valves replaced in the past few months. John is requesting to replace the flush valves in the other 7 toilets. The blinds have been purchased. We received 6/9 with the remaining 3 being ordered. The pole lights
work is completed. The ground has been too soft for the tree work to be completed. This will be done as soon as the ground dries out enough for their trucks to safely be in the grass. The Christmas decorations will be out soon for peo-ple to work on preparing them. December 5 the work crew will be setting up the trees and nativity in preparation for hanging of the greens.
ACCOUNT BALANCES as of 10/31/2018
OCTOBER
FUNDS SUMMARY ENDING BALANCE
GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT (COMBINED)
$39108.00
MEMORIAL FUND $19560.53
YOUTH FUND $4874.80
PETTY CASH $100.00
ACCOUNT BALANCES $63643.33
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT CHECKING
$5056.10
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN $39581.38
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TOTAL
$44637.48
ENDOWMENT CHECKING (RESTRICTED USE)
$33471.66
ENDOWMENT CDS (RESTRICTED USE)
$152277.35
MONEY FUNDS (CETERA) $5534.23
MUTUAL FUNDS (CETERA) $160491.00
ENDOWMENT FUND TOTAL
$351774.24
CAPITAL HOLDING ACCOUNT
$115000.00
TOTAL FUNDS BALANCE $575055.05
Council Minutes - November 13, 2018 The kitchen door was repaired. It can still stick depending on the weather. Everyone should double check it fully closes and latches. Pastor’s Report: Resources for the Advent season have been given to the children and youth. Confirmation will meet No-vember 18, and there will be 5-6 sessions between now and March. The conference confirmation retreat will be March 15-17. Confirmation Sunday will be Palm Sunday this year, April 14. The Amish Grace book study will begin on November 27. The Advent and Christmas season has been planned. Marketing Report: We are meeting tomorrow to finalize our plans for the Advent season. Children and Youth Ministry, Budget and Finance, Faith Exploration Reports: No report. Spiritual Council Report: John asked the council to begin thinking about whom they will elect for the officer positions. These will be decided in December. Benevolence Report: There is a meeting scheduled for December 03. Adult Ministry Report: The escape room event went well. Adult ministry is providing cookies and punch for Phyllis’s organ con-cert this Sunday, as well as the meal for hanging of the greens. Health and Welfare Report: There is an event planned at Ephrata Manor on No-vember 14. The fall gifts for the SCC members will be prepared within the next week. Altar Guild Report: There will be no Peace Pantry for the month of
December. The Peace Pantry for the months of January and February will be white socks for our homeless veterans. The total donations collected with the Harvest Home envelopes was $442, and this is going to the EASS Fuel Assistance Program. $140.75 of Memorial money was used to purchase Christmas luminaries for Christmas Eve. Christmas poinsettias can be ordered both before and after the 10:30 worship service on Sunday De-cember 2, 9, and 16. The poinsettias are red, 1 branch, 5 bloom and cost $7.00. The Altar Guild will place the poinsettias in the church on Saturday December 22nd and they can be taken home after the Christmas Eve Service. Youth Report: The luncheon for the Blood Drive went well. The youth helped out with the church cleanup day. There is an escape room fundraiser planned for December 28 and 29. This will be open to the public. Old Business: The Blood Drive went well this year on a Sunday. The council approved scheduling it on a Sunday afternoon next year if desired. The pastor name plaque for Pastor Bill was received and installed on the plaque in the narthex that lists all of our past pastors. New Business: None. The next council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 11, 2018. Being no further business, Mark Kline motioned to adjourn and Vicki Dowhow-er seconded. Motion carried. The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Jim Anthony Council Secretary
December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Clara Roland
2
8:30am Contemporary
9:30am Sunday School
10:30am Tradi onal
Fred & Sally Romich
3
9am S tch & Chat
6pm Benevolence
7pm Bell Choir
8pm Profile
Carol Sanders
4
1pm Bible Study
7pm Bible Study
Phyllis Sands
5
10am Health &
Welfare
Allen & Cheryl
Schlouch
6
7pm Choir
Rehearsal
Harvey Schlouch
7
Dixie Schweitzer
8
Andrew &
Stephanie
Shahade
9
8:30am Contemporary
9:30am Sunday School
10:30am Tradi onal
Mary Shober
10
7pm Bell Choir
Rehearsal
Hans
Shollenberger
11
6:30pm Spiritual
Council
7pm Church Council
Keith & Linda
Shollenberger
12
6:15pm Christmas
at Colonial
Myles
Shollenberger
13
7pm Choir
Rehearsal
Ella Mae Shupp
14
Fred Stauffer
15
Randy Stauffer
16
8:30am Contemporary
9:30am Sunday School
10:30am Tradi onal
Mary Jane Steely
17
7pm Bell Choir
Rehearsal
9am S tch & Chat
Emily Steffey
18
1pm Bible Study
7pm Bible Study
Ethan Steffey
19
Mike & Bobbie Jo
Steffey
20
7pm Choir
Rehearsal
Ed Stork
21
Brian & Susie
Strouse
22
9am Altar Guild
place poinse as
in sanctuary
Tiffany Strouse
23
8:30am Contemporary
9:30am Sunday School
10:30am Tradi onal
5:00pm A Night of
Music
Greg & Kathy Strunk
24
7pm Christmas Eve
Service
Donald & Heidi
Sunday
25 Christmas
Ka e Jo Sunday
26
Whitney Sunday
27
7pm Choir
Rehearsal
Hazel Sweigart
28
5pm Escape Room
Karen Sweigart
29
5pm Escape Room
Helen Timpson
30
8:30am Contemporary
9:30am Sunday School
10:30am Tradi onal
Barb Tobias
31
Virginia Tobias
Peace United Church of Christ 37 East Swartzville Road
Denver, PA 17517 (717) 484-4400
Contemporary Service 8;30 a.m.
Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:30 a.m.
Betsy E. Martin Bruaw, Pastor [email protected]
(717) 319-4204
Beverly Madara, Editor [email protected]
(717) 484-0895
December Events
Sunday, December 23 — A Night of Music — 5:00 pm Sunday, December 24 — Christmas Eve Service — 7:00 pm
Friday, December 28 - Escape Room — 5:00 pm Saturday, December 29 - Escape Room — 5:00 pm
December 2018
Peace UCC Member
