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May 2000 Newsletter
    
Confirmation Resumes
Confirmation classes will resume, Wednesday evening, April 26, 2000 at 6:20
PM. After a six-week break for Lent and Easter, the Confirmation Class
returns to complete their last semester this school year. The focus of
these last few weeks will be the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The class has
been studying the sweep of the old and new testaments. Special thanks must
be expressed to the parents of our youth who, remembering their vows they
made at the time their child's baptism, are now enabling their child to
receive what they need for their spiritual development. Please remember our
Confirmands in your prayers.
Confirmation Picnic May 24th
The Confirmation Class will end this year on Wednesday evening May 17, 2000
at 6:30 PM with a picnic at the church. Families are asked to bring a
potluck. Pastor will supply hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill plus
drinks.
Summer Camp
Are you interested in a unique summer camp experience either for your child
or for the entire family? Consider a week at one of Ohio's Lutheran Summer
Camps. Camp Luther near Conneaut, Ohio, on the shore of Lake Erie, is now
taking reservations for its summer family week programs. Camp Mowana,
located just north of Mansfield, is also taking reservations for their
summer youth and family programs. There is also a Music Camp, a soccer
camp, and an Algonquin Canoe Trip.
Add to the above mix the programs of Camp Frederick near Youngstown with
week of rafting, family camping, Miami Valley Outdoor Ministries which have
week devoted to singles, Choir Camp, canoe trips and backpacking near
Cincinnati, and Lutheran Memorial near Columbus with bicycle trips, night
camps, pioneer homesteading and you have quite a diverse mix of summer fun.
Brochures are available in the front foyer or by calling the church office.
Home Communion Team
Meeting in April at the home of Allison Ekechuku, the Home Communion Team
reviewed all those from our congregation with whom they have been visiting.
There have been a number of deaths since the beginning of the year and the
group remembered them in prayer. The next visitation will be in May. Many
close friendships are developing and that is gratifying.
FLC Friendship Launching June 7
The good ship FLC Friendship will embark on its maiden voyage on June 7,
2000 at 6:30 PM here at Faith. It will begin with a Pizza Supper for all
participating, preparing to shoving off at 7 PM and then getting underway
at 7:30 PM. We should be back in port by 8:30 PM free to return home.
What is FLC Friendship? In most smaller congregations members know each
other well. Usually, when someone is missing from worship, everyone seems
to know and they mobilize for ministry. As congregations reach several
hundred members, however, this spontaneous ministry often fails. Without
some plan to help the members live out their care for each other, some who
need help may be missed. FLC Friendship is a way of demonstrating that
every person is cared about and care for.
How does FLC Friendship work? Approximately twenty members of Faith will
gather at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 7, 2000 at 6:30 PM for a Pizza dinner.
At 7:00 PM, Pastor Stan will offer some training and answer questions of
those participating. Then from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM EVERY FAMILY of Faith
Lutheran Church will be called in the next hour using cell phones that will
be available that night. All calls will be made that night. No follow-ups
will be attempted later.
What about the Call? The caller will introduce himself or herself and then
explain briefly he/she is calling on behalf of Faith Lutheran Church. The
caller will explain that someone from the church will be contacting them 3-4
times per year to: pass along important church information, see how they
are, find out any questions about the church they wish answered and pass on
to the staff any concerns they might have. All calls will be confidential
unless permission is granted by the caller. The call will not ask for
anything--neither time nor money. The calling time will be preceded by
prayer for our congregation.
How can I help? This effort is being spear-headed by the Home Communion
Team. Those five would like to be joined by at least 15 others so that no
one will make more than 10 calls that evening. So if you care about people,
are patient, respect confidentiality and will to devote 8-10 hours per year
for the love of Jesus and Faith, please talk to Pastor Stan or member of the
Home Communion Team.
But what if I don't fit that bill? Then you can help by lending us your
cell phone for one night. All calls will be local. In order to accomplish
this in one night we will need twenty cell phones.
Considering Joining Our Family?
The spring Discover Faith seminar for those wishing to learn about the
Christian faith - especially those considering joining Faith Church - is
Sunday, June 4, 2000 starting with a pizza lunch at 12:00 PM and concluding
at 5:00 PM.
"Discover Faith" is intended for everyone who wishes to grow in their
spiritual life especially those contemplating joining our Faith family. The
seminar is divided into five parts, "Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit?
Living the Gift, The Call of the Church, and Profile of a Disciple. A
special workbook written by Pastor Stan serves as the text. On Sunday, June
11, at 9:15 AM, an orientation session will be held for those making the
commitment to join our Faith family. New members will be received later
that morning at the 10:45 Celebration service.
The fall Discover Faith seminar will be held next October.
Explorers Club
EXPLORER SUMMER CAMP!
Looking for a worthwhile, educational and fun summer program for your child? Faith has teamed up with Fairlawn West United Church of Christ to offer a "unique week" of Vacation Bible School.
The renown professional teaching staff of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio (L.O.M.O.) will run Explorer Summer Camp from June 25 - 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Campers are invited to stay for Leo's Ark from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at no extra charge.
Explorer Summer Camp promises to be a jam-packed week full of summer adventure. Invite a friend to share the fun!
EXPLORER CLUB LEADERS NEED YOUR HELP!
We're tickled pink that Explorer Club is a HUGE success. It's what we've all been praying for: children who want to come to church.
Please consider a few opportunities to help out next year. Most commitments are of short duration; all require love for your people:
1. Rally Day Helpers
> 2. Special Event Coorinators like Leo's Ark, Ellen Daniels Music, Earth Day
3. January Learning Experience
4. "Explorers Corner" in the Beacon of Faith
These are not "solo" jobs; other dedicated people help. Either Dana Singer (836-9262) or Becky Strimple (836-2850) can answer any questions you have.
Faith Explorer Club News
Hats off to conductor Ellen Daniels and her son Adam! Palm Sunday Explorer Club was a special musical event that had 65 Explorers rocking to the beat of different drums.
After each Explorer decorated his/her own drum, everyone gathered together to learn different drum rhythms. Ellen taught the three-year-old class to the sixth graders how the different rhythms could tell a story. Ellen chose two parables: Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son. In each parable, different rhythms reflected different personalities and moods within the story.
The Explorers thoroughly enjoyed Ellen's expression of God's love. She is not only musically gifted but a gifted teacher as well. Ellen has taught music for over twenty years and specializes in the Kindermusik program in the Akron/Bath area. If you have any questions about Kindermusik, Ellen can be reached at 659-3173.
Preschool News
PRESCHOOL NEWS
Join Miss Wendy, our Preschool Director, and Leo Boes of Leo's Ark, for an exciting summer adventure. Three-year-olds through sixth graders are invited to join us for a journey to far off lands such as Australia, Africa and the Rainforest!
The week-long camps are science and animal based but also include lots of hands-on activities in art, reading, math and physical education.
Join Miss Wendy, our Preschool Director, and Leo Boes of Leo's Ark, for an exciting summer adventure. Three-year-olds through sixth graders are invited to join us for a journey to far off lands such as Australia, Africa and the Rainforest!
All Sunday School students will receive a flyer and registration form. Please call Wendy at 836-8827 for more informtion. Registration opens on April 13. Church members may register now!
Looking for a preschool for your three-year-old? Faith Preschool has a few openings! The available class is Monday and Friday mornings, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Classes start in September, 2000.
The Mom-n-Me class, held Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., has a few openings for the two-year-old with his/her parent or care giver.
See the Church Office or Preschool Office for more information.
ASSISTANT TEACHER NEEDED
This position requires a high school graduate who loves working with young children.
Part-time or full-time hours available; competitive hourly wages.
Please call Wendy Boes at the Preschool at 836-8827.
CONCERNING OUR YOUNGEST
Beginning in June, Faith Church will need an adult babysitter to take care of our Toddler Nursery children in Room 4. Krista will be beginning a new phase in her life and will no longer be available to us on Sunday morning. The need is for a person to be here from 9:00 a.m. until noon every Sunday. The children look forward to having the same warm, loving person greet them each Sunday as they come into the Nursery. If you would like to be that warm, loving person, talk to Kathy Zbinden.
The TODDLER NURSERY is open from 9:00 a.m. until the end of Celebration
The INFANT NURSERY, located between the Library and Kathy's office, is open only during the Light Service with Nicole Jelar as the caregiver. The Infant Nursery is intended for non-walking babies.
Parents are asked to put your child's name on his/her diaper bag when brought to either nursery. Baby changing stations are located in both restrooms and in the Infant Nursery.
F S F - Youth
Saturday, April 22 was a big day for the Youth. Twenty-one met in the Youth Room for a briefing of the day's activities. At 11 a.m. they divided up into small groups and fanned out in the Copley area to collect canned goods for OPEN M's food pantry. For two hours they went door to door collecting food and handing out brochures about Faith Lutheran Church. They collected over 40 bags of canned goods. (Note: Our Scout Troop also collected canned goods for OPEN M and in one day, Faith delivered over 1500 canned goods to OPEN M)
After a picnic lunch at 1:30 p.m. the group then proceeded to set up and cook in preparation for the Easter Breakfast on Sunday morning. By 4 p.m. the group was done for the day.
On Easter, the youth served a record 200 plus breakfasts of pancakes, fruit, sausage and eggs plus coffee cake and coffee. Faith was a major Fairlawn restaurant on Sunday morning.
Thanks goes to the many adult drivers who helped John Maroni ferry the youth to their assigned areas, to the cooks who helped the youth prepare the Easter breakfast, especially Cherli and Pat Gsellman, Flo Mackall and Alison Ekechuku. Also thanks goes to Ken Rosebrock for his support and driving as well. All the youth will receive free tickets to the annual Cedar Point trip this summer.
W-ELCA News
Wednesday, May 10, 2000 10:00 a.m. Come to Dorothy Hansen's home and hear Dan Dahl 1055 Top of the Hill
Dan Dahl is the Executive Director of the E. J. Thomas Hall and the Civic Theater. He has been in Akron since 1992. Dan has made BIG changes in the programming at E. J. Thomas Hall. He will talk about the new trend in programming. Dan will also give us information about the remodeling and renovations at the Civic Theater. He has some interesting stories about the entertainers who have been in E. J. Thomas and the Civic. There will be time for questions too.
Dan's degrees are from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater with a major in Business and a minor in Music, with emphasis on vocal performance, and a Masters in Arts Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Come and hear this interesting speaker and enjoy lunch together.
Lunch will be provided by the W-ELCA officers.
Antique Show and Ice Cream Social
Daughters of Faith "" May 11th at 6:30 p.m.
Do you have a treasured vase, candy dish or bowl tucked away in a hutch; maybe an old book or "much-loved" Teddy Bear perched high in a bookshelf: and what about that wonderful clock on the mantel NO ONE is allowed to touch. Are these collectibles or are they antiques?
May 11th, All Daughters of Faith, Family and Friends are invited to enjoy Kenny and Alma Magenau, local antique appraisers, as they present a program highlighting antiques brought by members of Faith.
Everyone is invited to bring a "treasure," (children as well) to display and to be enjoyed. Look around the house, the attic, the basement or garage and bring that collectible or antique. Each item will be displayed in a safe and secure area. Bring them the night of May 11th. Not before.
An ice cream bar and cookies will be our refreshment, as we sit back and enjoy an evening of "Old Fashion" Fun. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex. Questions, contact Lois Chaffee at 239-5505.
Faith's Baseball Lottery
The Indians Baseball ticket lottery was held April 30, 2000. Sixty-seven seats were available to Faith Lutheran for a September 14th game with the Texas Rangers. Tickets are $19 each for lower reserve seating.
Winners names are posted on the "Sign-Up" bulletin board across from the mail boxes. If you are one of the lucky 67, please claim your tickets between services on May 7 or May 14. Any questions? Call Dana Singer at 836-9262.
Children's Services
A BIG THANK YOU to the Youth Group. They filled 108 Easter Baskets for our annual Easter Basket project.
Don Nelson supplied 48 stuffed animals for the baskets.
The Faith Lutheran Preschool children (and their families) generously donated Easter grass, cellophane wrap, small toys, stuffed animals, filled plastic eggs, and TONS of candy.
Vee Robinson supplied the baskets and 50 sorted stuffed animals and small gifts for the baskets, and .....
Stephanie and Vee Robinson wrapped and labeled the baskets.
Thank you all for being my helper. The Easter Bunny
GARDEN CLUB
Here we GROW again! The Garden Club is having its next Flower Fundraiser beginning Sunday, April 2nd at all three services and will continue through to Mother's Day, May 14th! Don't miss this opportunity to purchase: Jesus in the Garden prints and candles, 6 varieties of annual seeds, Locally produced honey, Baked goods
Look for our big green poster for more details! Now that we have bulbs planted, your loving assistance will go toward the purchase of: A fountain, Herbs, Annuals, Perennials, Identification stakes
The Garden Club is looking for anyone in our congregation who has grow lights and would be willing to start a flat of plants for our devotional garden. Call Amy Franks, 665-2998!
And that's not all! Arlene Birdsell has graciously offered to pay for all of our rose garden! All we can say is "Bless you!" The Garden Club thanks all of you who are helping us to start what will become a garden of devotion, reflection and education. A place where all of us, young and old, can enjoy and appreciate the works of God!
Matching Funds up to $450.00 will be available for this project from LUTHERAN BROTHERHOOD Cuyahoga Velley Branch #8596 and Lawrette McCann, District Representative for Lutheran Brotherhood.
The Property
Air Conditioning to be Installed in the Worship Center
Electrical work for the installation of four new AC compressor units for the main worship center will begin sometime this month. New wiring needs to be installed in anticipation of the new units. Start-up of the air conditioning is slated to be June 1, 2000. Huge cranes will lift the four units onto the roof over the coat room sometime next month.
Total cost of the installation is $42,000 - a price that was negotiated two years ago by Air Comfort, the firm presently maintaining our heating system. Air Comfort could no longer hold the price due to the electrical contractors union who will be renegotiating their contract with Air Comfort beginning June 1.
With the addition of Air Conditioning in time for this summer, those who have lost loved ones and will be conducting funerals, those who have gained loved one and will be getting married, and those who have loved ones and want to worship together will be greatly comforted by the hospitality that air conditioning affords a building which has no windows!
Request from our Sexton
Upon leaving the building in the evening, PLEASE be sure that all the lights are out - including those in the rest rooms - and that the doors are locked.
Frequently, Bill Osborn arrives on a weekday morning with hall, fellowship hall, rest room lights, etc. left on and doors left unlocked the entire night. .It is just good management of our resources.
The Lighting Guys
We would like to thank Dick Kesti and Keen Lee, our Lighting guys, for installing new lighting in the church office and the women's rest room off the front foyer. Both changes have certainly brightened up what had become a rather dark corner of our church building's world. Thank you both for caring!
Wish List
From time to time members and friends ask what they might do to enhance the ministry of Faith above and beyond their regular giving. In response, the Church Council periodically compiles a list of needs, which it feels would greatly help the ministry of our Lord if the funds were available. The last such update was in 1996. Suggestions were first received from each Committee before confirmed by the Council. Copies of the Wish List are available in the church office.
THANK YOU
From our good friends, the Schmalzles
Dear Friends in Christ's Mission,
At this special time of the year, we want you to know how valuable your commitment, your prayers, and your regular support are to us. Your participation in God's Mission here in Nairobi is greatly appreciated. Asante Sana! (Thank you very much!)
In August, we plan to return to Ohio for vacation time to visit family and to get Aaron settled in college. On the first Sunday in August, we will be at our home congregation, The Lutheran Church of the Covenant, in Maple Hts., Ohio, which is also the home of the Kenya Mission Team. On that day, we will have a brief presentation about our work in Nairobi. An old-fashioned ice cream social will follow worship. Hope you can join us.
Resurrection Joy!
Pr. Bob, Denise, Aaron and Jacob
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