|
July 2001 Newsletter
    
Covenant of Separation
Faith Lutheran Church and Rev. Dr. Stanley C. Sneeringer
This covenant of separation will guide the future relationship between the Rev. Stan Sneeringer of Faith Lutheran Church of Fairlawn. It is designed to strengthen the process of separation from any further pastoral responsibilities beginning on June 30, 2001. It is important that members and friends of Faith Lutheran Church understand and accept the terms of this covenant in order that relationships with new pastoral staff be developed in positive ways. Stan Sneeringer and the Church Council mutually agree upon the covenant.
1. On June 30, 2001 Stan Sneeringer will turn over all pastoral and administrative duties as senior minister and will no longer function as a part of the pastoral team at Faith Lutheran Church.
2. Stan Sneeringer is determined to be completely supportive of the future pastoral and lay leadership of Faith Lutheran Church. He will not receive negative comments or participate in any conversation or activity, which might undermine any program or person.
3. Any future contacts, which may occur, will be simply as friends. He will not participate in any weddings, funerals, or baptisms, nor will he engage in any hospital or pastoral visitation, because it is important that the new pastoral staff bond with the congregation through these ministry functions.
This covenant is offered to the people of Faith Lutheran church for the sole purpose of strengthening mission and ministry in the future. It grows out a deep gratitude for the past nineteen years of a significant ministry in this church.
Bill Beers
Signed, President of the Church Council Dated June 24, 2001
Stan Sneeringer
Signed, Stan Sneeringer, Pastor
Confirmation Class to Begin
Confirmation Class to Begin September 2, 2001
All 7th and 8th Grade students of Faith Lutheran Church are invited and encouraged to begin setting aside Sundays beginning September 2 to begin preparing for their Rite of Confirmation and adult membership at Faith Lutheran Church.
John Maroni would like to meet with Parents and Confirmands at 10:45 a.m. on September 2 for approximately one hour. Formal sessions will begin on September 9, 2001 at 10:45 a.m. for students in the 7th Grade and higher.
Students on our list right now are:Kenneth Bennett, Justin Callen, Andrew Castille, Jacob Hurley, Matthew Jackson, Sean McClish, Abigail Penov, John Rausch, Andrew Rich, Gregory Edward Schnell, Erik Schwarze, Andrew Simpson, John Singer, Michael Strobel, Danielle Wall, Eric Watts, Megan Weidrick, and Joseph Weisand.
If your son or daughter is not listed above, please contact the church office ASAP at 330-836-8811. Thank you.
Ohio Synod Women's Organization
Ninth Biennial Convention of the Northeastern Ohio Synod Women's Organization
Date: August 17-18, 2001
Place: Avalon Inn, Warren, Ohio
Theme: "Guided by the Spirit"
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-26
Friday evening will begin at 4 p.m. with registration and buffet dinner. That evening we will "Reaffirm our Baptism" following the Business session.
Saturday will be busy with more business sessions and Awareness sessions. These sessions provide a wide variety of choices: a Bible Study, a Labryinth, Tai Chi, a conversation with Sally Frank our Churchwide Treasurer or a Spiritual Inventory led by Deaconess Judy Hoshek. A wide variety of opportunity for your individual growth. Saturday afternoon will be highlighted with "Katie Luther Live!" as portrayed by Damarius Peter Pike. The Choral Worship Service will provide the inspiration for us as we conclude our Biennial Convention.
This is an opportunity for your personal enrichment, inspiration and renewal along with your Sisters in Christ of the Northeastern Ohio Synodical Women's Organization. For the specific details contact Vee Robinson at 330-666-6301.
If you are under the age of 40 you might consider applying for the NEW FOUNDATION GUEST program. Applications are available from Vee Robinson. One woman from each of the seven clusters will be chosen for this program. They will be guests of the Synodical Women's Board. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Women of the ELCA.
SUMMER DAY CAMP
For Grades Completed K through Completed 5th at Faith Lutheran Church 2726 W. Market St. across from the Fairlawn Towne Plaza
Monday August 6th through Friday August 10th Daily from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. (aftercare/latchkey in accordance with demand)
Early bird registration is only $1.00 per hour before June 31st!!!
Activities will include youth worship, Christian education, skits, games, crafts, tie-dye (T-shirts provided), and "water down Friday!" Education centered on the Christian Calendar (Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter/Pentecost)
For more information or to register call John Maroni at 330-836-8811 or e-mail jpm1773@aol.com
PRESCHOOL NEWS
Tired of the same old summer camps where you're not quite sure what your child is learning (if anything)? Not looking forward to hearing your child say, "Mom, I'm bored. Let's DO something!" Have we got the answer for you! Send your child on an educational "journey" to Africa, Australia, Asia, the Rainforest or Desert aboard Leo's Ark. Mr. Leo and Ms. Wendy (Faith's Preschool Director), along with their highly trained staff, have once again teamed up to create an age appropriate, hands-on camp experience that will leave your child talking for months! Our camps are outdoor, science\animal based adventures that interpret art, reading, physical fitness and much more. The campers will absorb limitless knowledge of God's creatures during their experiences throughout the week.
For more information and registration forms check the basket outside the Preschool office or call Leo at 330-328-7429. You can also get further information and download a registration form at www.leosark.bigstep.com. Hope to see many of you this summer!
Golden Awards
Sally Butler: Golden House Beautiful for your leadership in the Christmas decorating of the church.
Laurie Fenton: Golden House Beautiful for your leadership in the Christmas decorating of the church.
Dick Sefton: Golden House Beautiful for sharing your artwork to make the church office warmer and esthetically pleasing.
Judy Vernon: Golden Decorator for refurbishing the Choir Room with paint.
Lois Chaffee: Golden Decorator for refurbishing the Choir Room with paint.
Rae Welker: Golden Decorator for refurbishing the Choir Room with new window treatment.
Tom Parsons: Golden Cookie for overseeing our whole church property.
Bettemae Ramsey : Golden Numbers Devise for being our faithful Financial Secretary.
Elnora Anderson: Golden Flower for writing many, many acknowledgements for Memorials.
Celebration Choir: Golden Hot Button: Wayne Welker, Shirley Kmet, Betty Kesti, Tanya McIntyre, Marilyn Wilson, Penny Thompson, Raw Welker, Geri Peterson, Milan Rolik and Hans Zbinden for faithful choir singing and leading the congregation in song.
Celebration Choir: Golden Singing Buttons: Wayne Welker, David Smith, Jeff Mallison, Churck Batles, bob Hartz for faithful choir singing and leading the congregation in song.
Scott McVey: Golden Leader for directing the Celebration Choir.
Handbells: Golden Mug: Pat Preston, Arleen Birdsell, Deanie Sefton, Ginny Greenawalt, Judy Lee, Tina Roberts, Judy Vernon, Jean Gombert, Joyce Lightle, Pat Jackson, Tracy Dankoff, Shirley Kamet, Mitch Greenawalt and Linda Sneeringer for faithfully providing a musical accent in our worship services.
Light Service Musicians: Golden Note: Joyce Lightle, Nate Jackson, Rich Doncaster, Kurt Mackall, Dave Rich, Linda Sneeringer, Kim Kennedy, Dave Johnson, Chris Wright-Penov, Abby Penov, Sheila Knops for keeping the Light Service in moving along, "mon!"
Youth Golden Star: Adam McClish and Rebecca Schwarze for giving 110% of yourselves in the Faith Student Fellowship.
Golf Scrambles
2001 Faith Scrambles Where: Pine Valley Gold Course 469 Reimer Road Wadsworth, Ohio When: 3:00 p.m. on Sundays July 1 July 29 August 26 and September 23
Following the July 1st Outing, we will be going to Don and Elaine Johnson's home at 1390 S. Hametown Rd., Copley for a light supper. (Rain or Shine we eat!) Please look for sign-up sheets in the Narthex and in the hallway outside the Fellowship Hall or call the Johnsons at 330-666-6949. Check your Sunday Bulletins regarding the July 29th Scramble
Baseball Game Lottery
The Annual Faith Baseball Game Lottery is coming up!
The Cleveland Indians game is Tuesday, July 31st at 7:05 p.m. against The Oakland A's
Seats are $20.00 in the mezzanine, section 309.
We also have reserved tickets to the Picnic Plaza at $14.25 per person It's a ton of food and beverage.
This year 50 seats are available! It's necessary a lottery will be held. Sign up posters will be in the hall across from the choir room
under "sign up." Batters up!
Our Shepherding Program
New Member Sponsor - Our Shepherding Program
It is an important decision to join a church. Incoming members are entering a new phase of their spiritual journey. The Holy spirit's work is the major reason people join a congregation: but programs, people and activities influence where they join. Sponsors provide support to new members by shepherding them into the life of the congregation.
After people are received into membership in Faith with their Sponsors standing with them, the sponsors continue their support by
(1) praying for the new members, (2) getting to know them to discover their needs, and (3) by seeking to involve the new member
in congregational activities.
New members need a friend, need to be understood, need to be wanted, need to be invited to participate, and need to be included in all phases of the life of Faith Lutheran. They provide Faith with new ideas and further growth. Shepherding sponsors provide a way of entrance, welcoming and nurturing for new members.
Faith Lutheran Church Counselors
Cheryl Pelka of Lutheran Children's Aid and Family Services is now available every Wednesday by appointment here at Faith Lutheran Church. Fees are based on a sliding scale based on need. She is now taking appointments 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. Appointments may be made by calling her directly at (216) 281-2500.
Giancarlo - John - Scalzi is a psychotherapist, consultant and licensed social worker. He takes appointments on Thursday evenings. His counseling skills come also with the dimension of being Christ-centered. Fees for his services are based on a sliding scale and will be subsidized for members of Faith based on need. For more information please call (330) 653-3190.
The TODDLER NURSERY
Cindy Callen is the new caregiver for the children in our Toddler Room Nursery while parents attend church services and functions. She will provide a nurturing and caring environment and be willing to entertain and interact positively with a small group of children.
The hours are generally 9:00 a.m. to noon on Sundays. The caregiver will receive one Sunday off each month.
Responsibilities include caring for children of walking age up to 7 years old, maintaining a friendly, orderly, safe environment; and cleaning up the room after the children leave.
For more information please contact Susan Seeley at 330-864-0160 or thomasseeley@compuserve.com.
Lauren White and Danielle Lightle will be volunteering in the Toddler Nursery on the one Sunday each month that Cindy will not be there. Thank you Lauren and Danielle!
4th of July Parade
Faith Flashlight Band in 4th of July Parade
Last year, the Flashlight Band made its debut in the Fairlawn 4th of July Parade. Along with the Faith Explorers, who marched in the parade and passed out candy, they came home with the second place trophy for best musical entry! It was a real rush for the band to hear and see so many people along the route singing along to the songs and clapping their hands.
We want you to get that feeling, too! We are preparing for this year's float and we need people that are interested in designing, decorating, or participating in this Outreach Activity. We would also love to have parents of the Faith Explorers or youth join us to discuss ideas about making this an even better event than it was last year. We would like to have a meeting by Mid-May, so please sign up to help or contact Chris Sears for more information.
AMFS@apk.net or 330-665-3106
Stewardship Corner
Last issue we kicked off this column with the definition of Christian Stewardship. We're going to print it again, just to refresh our memories. Christian Stewardship is "the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God's family, the church, in managing all of life and life's resources for God's purposes."
Now, what does this mean? It means that God's stewards are stewards by virtue of creation and their re-creation in Holy Baptism; therefore, they belong to God!
What does the Bible have to say about this? The following passages will confirm that we are God's. Please take the time right now to read them. Remember, this is God speaking. Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 43:1; Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:16-17; and Ephesians 2:8-10.
Because of what God says in the Scripture, we will:
· recognize that we are made stewards by God's activity;
· respect Christian stewards for Whose they are; and
· remind stewards that they are God's creation every day.
Because of what God says we will not:
· use short-cut methods that consider stewards to be merely "donors" or means to an end;
· neglect to name the Lord who is the source of all stewardship; or
· present stewardship as limited to a single area of life, such as money.
Quite a bit to chew? Probably! But it is essential to have an understanding of God's ownership if we are to do His will.
TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!
Thank You
Letter from Dee
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Thank you so much for the love and encouragement you have given me these past four years, You'll be happy to know that my educational journey is rapidly drawing to a close. I will be graudating from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, June 9.
I will be ordained as a pastor on August 25. The Synodical ordination will take place at First Lutheran Church in Strongsville at 10:30 a.m. If you are able to attend these events, I would love to see you.
I would ask that you keep me in your prayers as I begin pastor ministry this summer. I feel fortunate that God has called me to this work and has opened the doors to make it possible. Your prayers and support have been a tremendous encouragement throughout this process. Your witness to God's care and love is truly an inspiration to me. Thank you.
Grace and peace to you all, Dee Emmert Miklos
Letter from Mothers Together
Dear Pastor Stan and Faith Lutheran Church Staff,
Thank you so much for hosting our group for another great year. You have such a nice facility and you always make us feel welcome. Mother's Together is very spcial to all of us and it wouldn't be the same without your support.
Please accept this gift as a token of our appreciation. Thank you so much.
Mothers together
Know Our Options
"Gee, I forgot the offering envelope again. I'll mail it in next week." Well it's now the end of the month and you finally remembered to bring the envelope to church. I know this has happened to me. With the hectic life we all lead, isn't there a better way? Well, yes, there are several options to make this gracious action easier and pleanant.
The first option allows you to give monthly with a level payment, you can always make your special offering and tithes outside of the program, so you know how much and when the payment is made. It's an automatic debit to a checking or savings account through our affiliate Lutheran Brotherhood. Now new accounts have to be set up; just complete the application and set the dollar amount to be debited. Applications can be found at the church office or contact the church office to have one sent to you. At any time you can discontinue the debit or change the dollar amount. No more envelopes and the church receives the funds right on time so we can insure our general fund is sufficient to meet operating expenses at all times.
Second, option LUMP SUM giving. Is your tech stock rebounding, but you do not want to experience another downward spiraling 2000? You may make an "in kind gift" of all or some of your shares of publicly traded stock to the church. Two benefits especially on appreciated stock are 1) No capital gains are paid. 2) You receive the full deduction of the transfer price for your income taxes. Even if that stock has not appreciated, this is a way to meet your commitment without expending any cash. Inherited stock comes tax free until you sell it so this too is a way to meet the two benefits without any out lay of cash. We have the benefit of using Lutheran Brotherhood's capabilities to liquidate the stock at a very favorable cost so the church maintains the highest amount possible.
Next time you pull that envelope out, just remember these options, but please always remember to meet your commitment montly. Hopefully, these options can make your giving experience pleasant.
If you have any questions on these options, feel free to contact me at 330-835-4505 or the church office at 330-836-8811.
God Bless a cheerful giver.
John s. Knops - Resource Development (Stewardship) Team Leader
CAN YOU TRUST YOUR TRUST??
Tuesday, July 10, 2001 at 2 p.m. Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall
Join Donald L. Dillahunt, Lutheran Brotherhood Communicator, Lawrette McCann, Lutheran Brotherhood District Representative and Attorney Sheri Peters for refreshments and a very importnt discussion concerning how trusts are handled after your spouse dies.
Also there will be a short discussion listing the ways charitable giving can be a Win Win Win situation.
This is an information only meeting. Come and ask your questions.
PRAYERS
Intercessory prayers of members for friends/relatives:
Lois Esterle (Wanda Hare's daughter and Linda Weidrick's sister)
Don and Dorothy Westling (Judy Rosebrock's parents)
Fred Rosebrock (Ken Rosebrock's father)
Veno Savell (undergoing Chemotheraphy (Irene's son)
Basil Richmond with congestive heart failure (Ivan Richmond's Father)
Jill Reyes in Cleveland Clinic for testing
Helen Jennings for cancer (Pat Bork's mother)
Anthony Dalessio undergoing chemotherapy (Karen Bach's brother)
Karen Gerber experiencing health problems (Diann Sullivan)
Rosella Jeck (Martha Gruetz' family)
Mary receiving chemotherapy (Ed and Ruth Simpson)
Elmer Smith diagnosed with prostrate cancer (Kit Scheetz)
Dan Kmet recovering from liver transplant (Robert's brother)
Joe Paparone struggling to return to health (Brother-in-law of Bill Evans)
Ray Sugget struggling with a brain tumor (Vee Robinson)
Kay LeMaster recovering from a stroke (Ron Garman's Aunt)
Ged Schweikert undergoing chemotherapy (Eleanor Schweikert's Son)
Lydia Ontko has been diagnosed with cancer (Terri Dalski)
Sally Dalski being treated for Alzheimer's (Terri Dalski)
Andrew Leffler battling cancer (Kelly Lockhart)
Lydia being treated for Leukemia (Lynn Rich)
Prayers from our Website
Ruth Elbon entering Barberton Hospital
Carolyn praying for a helpmate
Jim Walker being treated for cancer (Daughter Kelli Walker from Aleaska)
Jennifer DePrizio by her father
Cheri Toribo's nephew Bob jailed for using drugs
Ton Martinb for employment
Peydon that he will end his illicit affair
Willian Wedge in prison
Sherry that she might find a meaningful relationship
Gordon in El Paso, Texas, that his court case may be settled out of court
The salvation of Monica and her family and for David's family as well
Continuing Prayers of Concern for:
Willis Pope Jr.
Florence Anderson,
Justine Molnar, Milan Rolik, Mike and Nate
Immediate
Prayers of Health For
Carol Bouson in Barberton Hospital
Marjorie Mazak
Prayers of Joy for
New Members Tim Keifling,
Joan Schlichting,
Stacy and David Neal and son Trey,
Nancy Williams and son Mitchell and Nancy Johnson
Faith Member and Trinity Lutheran Seminary graduate Dee Miklos as she begins her first pastorate at Trinity Lutheran Church, Norton
the union of Stephanie and Jeffrey Luecke on Saturday, June 8, 2001
Special Prayers for
St. Paul Lutheran, Ravenna and their pastor Judy Wozniak
Troop 390
Boy Scout Troop 390 and Faith Lutheran Youth Group:
Thank you so much for the donation of food for needy families. With all the crises in the world today, there are many needs which touch our hearts and require our support. We are grateful that you consider OPEN M a priority and worthy of your support. In accordance with IRS rules, I certify that you have received no material benefit from from this gift.
William V. Brown, Chief Operating Office, OPEN M
|
