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March 2003 Newsletter
    
Please wear your name tag
Faith sees a lot of people over the year. Some members are here only half the year due to winter or summer retirement homes. Some members visit the “other service” enabling them to meet people they don’t know. Still other members are so new they do not know anyone (and of course you do not know them). Wear your name tag and help everyone out, It is an ongoing need.
Mission Objectives
- To lift high in prayer the name of Jesus Christ in all we say and do;
- To enable all persons to experience a worshipful relationship with Jesus Christ;
- To nurture and empower all persons to be disciples through a small group centered ministry that includes learning, service, fellowship and spiritual growth;
- To help every Christian discover her/his spiritual gifts for ministry;
- To assist in the care of a hurting world.
Approved by Faith Lutheran Church at its Annual Congregational Meeting on November 21, 1999.
New Dimensions: Growing In Discipleship
Program Is Now Underway
We are glad to announce the New Dimension: Growing In Discipleship Program that is now underwy at Faith Lutheran Church. This education and giving program will enable the congregation to furthe grow and reach out by hiring a dedicated staff member - Minister of Christian Growth and Discipleship - to support our effots.
You, your family, our Faith congregation, our community and our God will be positively affected by this addition.
Please come and learn more! Every adult in the congregation is asked to commit 45 minutes during Lent to learn why DISCIPLESHIP and hiring a full-time Minister of Christian Growth and Discipleship is so important to our future.
These presentations will be held after the Lenten mid-week soup suppers/worship and on a Sunday following the third service. The dates and times are:
- 7:35-8:20 p.m. on March 12, 19, 26 and April 2, 9 in the Fellowship Hall.
- Noon-12:45 p.m. on March 23 in the Fellowship Hall.
Child Care will be provided for children up to age 10 at each gathering.
Please plan to attend once, you may have already received a phone call asking on which date you will be coming.
(NOTE: Lenten Soup Supper is from 6-6:40 p.m. and Lenten Worship from 6:45-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays March 12-April 9. Why not come weekly for supper and worship, and on one evening stay for the New Dimensions presentation? Child care also will be provided during worship!)
On May 4 members will e asked to make a financial commitment, or gift, to this program. The goal is to “pre-fund” 16-months of salary and benefits for the Minister of Christian Growth and Discipleship. and, the good news is that if 200 households (people with offering envelopes) gave just $20 a month above their current giving, for 16 months, the goal would be met!
The New Dimensions: Growing In Discipleship Team thanks you for your partnership!
Randy Cole, Tracy Dankoff, Pastor Jean Hansen, John Knops and Judy Vernon
What does a Minister of Christian Growth and Discipleship Do?
The areas of ministry for the Minister of Christian Growth and Discipleship are:
- Developing a Small Group that will strengthen adults and youth relationships with God and with one another.
- Developing a Spiritual Gifts program that asists all members, but particularly new members, to identify their spiritual gifts and "plug them into" ministries at Faith Lutheran Church and in the community.
- Overseeing Children and Youth Ministry (age 0-21) in the congregation, NOT as a Team Leader or project planner/participant, but as a person who identifies gifts and encourages congregation members to lead ministries for children and youth. When applicalbe, she/he would support the part-time Leader in his/her ministry.
Lent: An Important Time For Spiritual Growth
Consider These Wonderful Opportunities!
ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
12:30 P.M. and 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
There will be imposition of ashes
and Holy Communion will be celebrated.
MID-WEEK MEAL AND WORSHIP
Wednesdays, March 12, 19, 26 and April 2 and 9
6-6:40 p.m., Soup Supper
6:45-7:30 p.m., Worship
(The New Dimensions: Growing in Discipleship presentations will be held each Wednesday after the soup supper/worship from 7:35-8:20 p.m.; please plan to attend once.)
GROWING IN DISCIPLESHIP
Mid-Week Theme In 2003
The wonderful, and varied, mid-week worship opportunities which will focus on discipleship are:
Wednesday, March 12 - Organist Bob Mollard will use word and music to encourage discipleship. The service will be held in the Sanctuary.
Wednesday, March 19 - The Flashlight Band will share and sing. The service will be held in the Fellowship Hall.
Wednesday, March 26 - GUEST SPEAKER - sharing by Father Gordon Yahner, St. Hilary Catholic Church, in the Sanctuary.
Wednesday, April 2 - The Celebration Choir led by Scott McVey and accompanied by Bob Mollard will lead the congregation in prayer through the Evening Prayer liturgy. The service will be held in the sanctuary.
Wednesday, April 9 - SPECIAL GUEST - a warm welcome to Bishop Marcus Miller, Northeastern Ohio Synod as he focuses on being a disciple. The service location will be announced.
Child Caare will be available for every worship service!!!
Council Adopts First Communion Policy
Third - Fifth Grades Commune in 2003
In the mid-1970’s a Study was adopted by most of the churches now in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) separating confirmation and the reception of Holy Communion. Children were then invited to commune in the fifth grade. At Faith Lutheran Church the usual practice continues to be receiving children to Holy Communion during the fifth grade.
The Church’s Statement
In a document adopted for guidance and practice by the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA in August 1997, there were changes in this practice.
The Use of the Means of Grace: A Statement on the Practice of Word and Sacrament indicates that:
Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, present through the Church to those who are baptized.
There is no command from our Lord regarding the age at which people should be baptized or first communed.
Baptized children begin to commune on a regular basis at a time determined through mutual conversation that includes the pastor, the child and the parents or sponsors involved, within the accepted practices of the congregation. Ordinarily this beginning will occur only when children can eat and drink, and can start to respond to the gift of Christ in the Supper.
In all cases, participation in Holy Communion is accompanied by teaching appropriate to the age of the communicant. When infants and young children are communed, the parents and sponsors receive instruction and the children are taught throughout their development.
Congregations of this church may establish policies regarding the age of admission to Holy Communion. They may also grant pastoral exceptions to these policies.
Out of mutual respect among congregations, children who are communing members of a congregation who move to a congregation with different practice should be received as communing members.
The Policy of Faith Lutheran Church
In the spring of 2003, all children in third-fifth grade will be invited to participate in a first Communion Class. The usual practice will then be that baptized members of Faith Lutheran Church will receive instruction and First Communion during the third grade.
However, at their discretion, parents/sponsors may request that a child younger than third grade be allowed to receive Holy Communion. A conversation will be held among the pastor, parents/sponsor and child. The Pastor will determine whether or not the child is to be accepted at the Lord’s Table, and instruction will follow if the request is affirmed.
First Communion Classes Scheduled in March
First Communion class for all third-fifth graders, and a parent or sponsor, will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 9 OR on Thursday, March 13. The children will receive Holy Communion for the first time during the 10:45 a.m. service on March 16. In order to do so the child and one parent/sponsor must have participated in the class.
W-ELCA
Wednesday March 12, 2003 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall
Program: Health and Humor (in our lives)
Betty Cline, Manager, Community Health
Library, Akron General Medical Center
The ability to laugh in our everyday life and healthy humor are an important part of a wholesome lifestyle. Betty Cline will bring us a not-to-be- forgotten program on health and humor.
Hostess will be Jean Butler
Devotions will be given by Kathy Zbinden
A note from oru President Vee Robinson: Please bring Easter candy to this March 12 meeting so that it can be included in the Easter baskets for children from Summit County Childrens Home. The baskets are being assembled earlier this year than in previous years. Questions? Phone Vee at 330-666-6301. Thanks!
Guests are always welcome at the meetings.
ESCAPE SCHOOL
Escape school is a must for parents and their kids
SCI Escape School teaches children how to avoid being abducted and teaches their parents what to do if an abduction has occurred.
Hahn-Hostetler Funeral Home, willpresent life-saving information in a fun and entertaining manner. Families will learn practical prevention techniques including:
How to identify strangers not by what they look like, but how they act.
What steps to take to stay safe.
Why all of the rules change in such a dangerous situation.
SCI Escape School has traveled all over the country to educate millions of children and adults. This program has received nationwide media coverage, including “The Opray Winfrey Show” and “48 Hours”.
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2003
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Faith Preschool
Sponsored by: Hahn-Hostetler-Silva Funeral Home
330-825-2467
CLARA'S CLUB
On Sunday, April 13, Clara’s Club meets at the 10:45 a.m. service. Guides are recommended to call their child’s parent(s) to arrange a time and meeting place at our church. Some children will be involved in the Palm Sunday services but they will also have time to sit with you and their parent(s) for most of the service.
My thanks to all those volunteering for this mission.
God bless you,
Bill Pope
CHILDREN'S SERVICES
New programming initiatives were developed in 2000 with an eye to streamlining response to reported abuses, increasing the role of the extended family in placement, and forging new partnerships with other community organizations.
The initial Assessment Unit evaluates hot line calls regarding community concerns for children and family functioning where abuse and neglect are not present. In some cases, families simply need to be referred to a local agency that can provide more appropriate help. Cases that do involve abuse and neglect are given immediate attention.
Kinship Caare focuses on support for grandpaarents and relatives who have become the “new” family for children whose parents can no longer care for them. Many relatives are willing to make this commitment, but need help. Kinship Care provides a resource and safety net for these open-hearted grandparents and relatives.
The Family Place is an intergenerational parenting resource center for grandparents and other relatives caring for children. During the first year in 2000, 2,434 people were served and it is located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on W. Market Street.
Safe Place is a pilot project in partnership with area hospitals - Akron General Medical Center, Barberton Citizens Hospital, Children’ Hospital Medical Center of Akron, Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital and Summa Health Systems. Working with the County Prosecutor, Safe Place provides a choice for mothers who are unable to care for their newborns and offers non-threatening alternatives to abandonment. Hospitals provide confidential protective shelter and medical care for newborns until they are transferred to Children’s Services care.
Norm and Judi Schmidt, Social Ministry Team
Summer Assembly at Lakeside
Lutheran Summer Assembly at Lakeside July 5-12, 2003
Theme: Global Discipleship
The Call, the Challenge, the Gift
Chaplain: The Rev. Dr. Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Bible Study: Dr. Mark Bartusch
Theme Speaker: Dr. Rudolph Featherstone
Youth Leaders: “Tangled Blue” Band Ministry
The Lutheran Summer Assembly mission is to provide intentional spiritual growth to young and old alike in an informal, vacation setting. It is the perfect mixture of slow living, faith study, worship, and play in a safe and nurturing Christian community.
Opportunities Abound
Christian Fellowship, Music, Children’s Programming, Youth Programming for Church Groups and Individuals, plus The Lure of Lake Erie
Plan your vacation time away in a place where peace and friendship are spoken, whre Christ is honored and worshiped, where the waves of Lake Erie meet the shoreline & children spend hours designing sand castles, ...where faith is nurtured every day.
Registration & further information:
www.lutheransummerassembly.com or
Mrs. MaryLou McCann, Registrar 1816 Glenwood St. Findlay, OH 45840 - 419-423-2226
Nursery volunteers needed
Nursery volunteers needed for wednesdays in lent
Since there are no budgeted funds to pay nursery assistants on Wednesdays in Lent, your help is needed. This is especially important to the success of the education program described on the preceeding page.
At least two people, age 18 or older, are needed on March 5 (Ash Wednesday - 7:15-8:45 p.m.) and March 12, 19, 26, April 2 and 9. Youth ages 12-17 may volunteer (confirmation service hours), but two people age 18 or older would still be needed.
How about volunteering as a couple, and making this a part of your Lenten Discipline? Exact times will be announced; it will be approximately 6:45 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Please Schedule Your Gathering!
Attention:
All Groups that Use The Church Building
Please Schedule Your Gathering!
It is SO important that any group that uses the church building schedules their meeting or event with the church office. This includes all ministry teams, outside groups and even small gatherings of friends. All meetings are listed on the master calendar in the church office to avoid conflicts and to make contacting individuals possible should there be any difficulty.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this detail!
Cat’s Meow
We had CAT’S MEOW of Wooster make wooden repliques of Faith Lutheran Church.
These wooden cut-outs of the church have arrived and are still available at a cost of $15.00 each.
Call the Church office (330-836-8811)
or Bettemae Ramsey (330-836-5211)
to give them your order.
Deadline for
Articles March 16th
Deadline for Newsletter Articles Sunday, March 16, 2003
Fax church office at 330-836-8872
E-Mail Beacon Editor at jegombert@cs.com
Use Newsletter submission form on website or place in church office newsletter mail box
In Our Prayers
Health Concerns:
- For Bonnie Cough, mother of Faith member Kim Kennedy and Cindy Boswell
- For Faith members Jasmine and Carly Dunnings father, Scott
- For Faith member Doug Winslow
- For Faith member J. J. Sampson
- For Faith member Audrea Woodall
In Times Of Loss
- For Faith member Lorna Schnell and family upon the death of her mother.
- For Faith member Kara Bukowski and family upon the death of her grandfather, Donald Young on February 3, 2003
Thank You
We want to thank the members of Faith for all their caring during the illness and death of our sister/daughter, Lois Esterle. Your cards, prayers and thoughts were of much comfort and gave us great support during this sad time.
Sincerely, Linda Weidrick and Wanda Hare
“Educator of the Year”
Congratulations
Mr. Bob Whitaker, Assistant Principal, Copley Fairlawn Middle School
The PTA Council of the Copley-Fairlawn City Schools bestowed the prestigious “Education of the Year” honor on Bob Whitaker, a member of Faith.
Quote from the Copley-Fairlawn City Schools “Your School Report” -
Serving the students for over 12 years he has touched the lives of thousands of children. His individual attention, caring attitude, and giving nature make hime an outstanding recipient of this award.. He is an integral part of the CFMS staff and a supportive member of our community. Congratulations!
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