 from the October 2009 issue of The Spire
InSPIREd Dear Friends, Ramona and I worked very hard at the beginning of this past summer preparing our home and yard for our daughter's college graduation party. Building, cleaning, cooking … whew, it was a chore. But it was all worth it because we wanted everybody to know how proud we were of Hannah. Here at the church we recently received notice from city officials that our sidewalk is in code violation. Now, I've been here a little more than eleven years and I don't think our walks have changed significantly in that time, nor was I aware of any problems. So I requested that the appropriate official come to the church and point out exactly what needed to be fixed. The officer was very nice while pointing out the minor flaws (seems as though we have some cracks in the curb and a couple of pieces of uplifted concrete), and then she said that nothing would ever have been said to us except for the fact that higher-ups were cracking down because of the upcoming G-20 conference. Apparently, President Obama was planning on taking some time during one of the breaks to conduct a sidewalk inspection! Last week I was at my desk when a distinguished-looking gentleman appeared at my door. I asked if I could help him, and he replied that he was a Methodist minister from Wales and was interested in our distinctive steeple, which he had seen from his hotel room. We stepped out in the hallway where we were joined, momentarily, by Liddy who had heard us talking.
During the course of that initial conversation he mentioned something about "sitting in the House of Lords." For some reason that didn't register right at that moment, so I proceeded to take him up to the sanctuary for a brief tour. He was very interested in our church and my politics. When we came back downstairs, we said our goodbyes and I returned to my desk. About one minute later it struck me, just as it did Liddy. She came in and said, "Did that guy really say he was a member of the House of Lords?" Realizing what we had just done, she went to the computer and brought up all of the information about Baron Roger Roberts of Llandudno, a member of Parliament. And we didn't even get a picture. Listen, we always need to be prepared for guests, whether they be invited, honored, unanticipated, or even unwelcome. It's a spiritual thing. The Bible talks about it: something about exalting every valley, bringing hills low, preparing a way in the desert, keeping your lamps filled with oil … It goes on and on. Nothing shows the world more clearly who we really are than how we treat our guests. Sincerely, Consecration Sunday Worship and Luncheon – Over the past several months,you have read personal reflections from several members of Smithfield United Church of Christ of what Smithfield means to them, why they attend, and why they support the ministries at our church. This month, instead, I wanted to let you know about a special event happening on Sunday, November 8. On that day, "Consecration Sunday," we will be having a special worship service led by the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Jones, and after worship there will be a special catered luncheon for everyone. You will be receiving an invitation and information about Consecration Sunday, so look for it in the mail. In addition, you will be hearing more about Consecration Sunday during Smithfield School and during worship. So, please mark your calendar for Sunday, November 8th, because it will be a great celebration. Peace, Hospitality Workshop on October 18  One of the comments I have heard about the congregation at Smithfield UCC is how friendly the people are. This is evident in the ways people reach out to visitors and frequent guests by introducing themselves, offering to answer questions, or sharing a cup of coffee. During the worship service we have a few moments for "Passing the Peace." Many people shake hands with the people around them but then seek to greet someone they do not know to offer the peace of Christ to them. Sometimes Reverend Patterson has trouble getting us to stop our greeting so worship can continue! This is the spirit of extravagant welcome that is the common thread in the work we do at Smithfield. Every member is part of the welcome we offer, but we also have a more defined face for welcoming people by becoming a member of the hospitality team. Each week four people are assigned to be both greeters and ushers and play important roles in the first step for meeting people coming to worship. The hospitality team is seeking more members to join the team. The biggest secret is that it is a fun way to meet people. A meeting will be held on Sunday, October 18th, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Rev. Barlow and Rev. Patterson will lead the first part of the meeting to discuss the importance of our extravagant welcome, and I will lead the second part to discuss updates and changes to hospitality team procedures. This meeting is for people currently on the teams and for all new interested people. Please join us that morning to learn about a fun and interesting way to be a part of our shared welcome to all. We need you! Regina Sewall, Hospitality Ministry Chair Join Us For Lunch 
October 4: First-Sunday Potluck October 11: Soup and Salad October 18: Mac and cheese with stewed tomatoes October 25: Soup and Salad, with a Halloween theme Do you love our lunches? We need your help to keep them going strong. Here are some ways to help out:
Mona Joins Our Office Staff Smithfield United Church of Christ is excited to have Monale Alemika working as secretary in our office every Tuesday and Friday. Mona is a master's student at Duquesne University and her major is Communications Studies. She was born in Philadelphia, but grew up and attended college in Jos, Nigeria, where she was very active in her local church. She loves to sing and is currently teaching herself how to play the guitar, although she will be the first to admit that she still has a long way to go. Mona's dream job is to work in a non-profit environment so that she can make a difference in people's lives while trying to live hers. Mona will share office work with Liddy Barlow, who staffs the office on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Our previous Tuesday-Friday receptionist, Eileen Brown, departed in August for a full-time job at Chatham University. "Mona is a quick learner, and her sunny, confident personality is a wonderful asset to Smithfield," Liddy said. "I'm looking forward to working with her in the months to come." Neighbors In Need Will Help Justice Ministries in the USA The Neighbors in Need offering, which Smithfield UCC will receive on World Communion Sunday, October 4, supports the UCC's ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. Through UCCTakeAction.org, our national Justice and Witness Ministries office offers resources, news updates, and action alerts on a broad spectrum of justice issues. Working with members of the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network (a network of thousands of UCC justice and peace advocates), Justice and Witness continues its strong policy advocacy work on issues such as the federal budget, voting rights, immigration, health care, hate crimes, civil liberties, and environmental justice.  Neighbors in Need also supports our American Indian neighbors in the UCC. One-third of the offering supports the UCC's Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM). Historically, forebears of the UCC established churches and worked with Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arickara, and Hocak in North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and northern Nebraska. Today there are 20 UCC congregations on reservations and one urban, multi-tribal UCC congregation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These churches and their pastors are supported by CAIM. CAIM is also an invaluable resource for more than 1,000 individuals from dozens of other tribes and nations who are members of other UCC congregations in the U.S. Neighbors in Need helps our brothers and sisters who struggle with so many things. It needs your support to carry on the good work, so please give generously. This year, Smithfield's goal is $335. Please make your check payable to Smithfield UCC (memo line: Neighbors in Need). In the Midst of the G-20, Open Doors and a Place of Peace at Smithfield  The streets outside the church were patrolled by mounted police, state troopers in riot gear, and even camouflage-clad members of the National Guard. Neighboring banks and businesses locked their doors and boarded up their windows. In contrast, the doors to Smithfield United Church of Christ were wide open, offering a friendly welcome to neighbors and visitors alike. Thanks to the members and clergy who made special effort to enter the city and open the church, we were able to offer our trademark hospitality before, during, and after the G-20 Summit. The centerpiece of our G-20 offerings was LABYRINTH, our prayer space in the social hall. We officially opened LABYRINTH during the Smithfield School opening ceremonies on September 13, and people of all ages experienced the prayer pathway together. You can read some of the comments written in our visitor book at right. LABYRINTH also attracted media attention. Rena Thomas, Ben Senkowicz, and Liddy Barlow were quoted in a September 14 article in the Tribune-Review, and Doug Patterson was quoted in a September 25 article in the Post-Gazette. The Trib article was one of the featured links in the national UCC's weekly e-mail newsletter, "Keeping You E-Posted." Additionally, our church was mentioned in many of the newspaper and television accounts of the G 6 Billion interfaith gathering and march, which began in our sanctuary on September 20. On Tuesday, September 22, we held a U2charist worship service: a traditional Holy Communion liturgy punctuated by the music of the Irish rock bank U2, performed live by "The Reply." Our preacher was Kathy Clark, assistant regional director of Church World Service, who sought to raise awareness of global hunger. I personally think it's always good to approach traditional services in a non-traditional way," said Doug Patterson. "I thought it was very innovative and very well-done." People are talking about LABYRINTH The following are just a few of the comments written in the visitor book at LABYRINTH, our prayer space for the G-20 Summit:
"This labyrinth was amazing! From the moment I started walking it, I got a chill. By the time I had made it through, I felt so much lighter, like a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. This was a beautiful experience." "I find the labyrinth experience healing, cleansing, empowering. I bask in the love and light of God." "The globe helps me think about all the other people in the world." "Thank you for the opportunity to be connected to all my brothers and sisters." "The experience touched me beyond words. Thank you for making the world a better place." "Thank you for reminding us of the peace that is within us." "I loved it. Good bread and I liked the candles." "Thank you for the opportunity to enter into a holy place where I feel very close to God and understand that I will never be alone, for as the footprints remind me, whatever I have faced, God has been and will be with me, both here and in the hereafter." "Thanks for welcoming all to this labyrinth, this church, to Pittsburgh." See also the LABYRINTH story and photos Apple Festival Friday, October 2, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  We will be selling apple pie (plain or à la mode), apple dumplings, and apple blossom pastries, all to the sweet sounds of live jazz by Horace Turner and the All-Stars. Women's Fellowship will have crafts to offer, and the Jericho campaign will be selling a selection of used books. Smithfield Café will be on hand offering hot lunch items, including stuffed cabbage, pierogies, hot sausage, ham bar-be-que, kielbasa, and cabbage and noodles. The café donates a percentage of their proceeds from the festival to the church. Volunteer help is needed with set-up, serving, and clean-up. Donations of money to help purchase treats are also welcome. For more information, contact Mariruth Keebler or John Canning. Women's Fellowship Plans Basket Project Though few in number, we accomplish a great deal: we make blankets for the Linus Project and East-End Cooperative Ministry in East Liberty, as well as lap robes for our shut-ins. We meet every Thursday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Bring your brown bag lunch. We welcome any support or participation. Some members make the blankets at home For the Christmas Market – December 2, 3 and 4 – we are making theme baskets to sell. Fill a basket you already own, or pick up an empty basket from the church. Some possible themes are: kitchen, bath, books, baby, sports, garden, birds, sewing, entertainment, chocolate, breakfast, beverage, picnic, etc. Please bring your filled basket to the church before Thanksgiving, November 26. – Betty Keibler Rev. Geoffrey A. Black: UCC's New President and General Minister The United Church of Christ is welcoming the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black as our new General Minister and President on October 1. Having served as the UCC's New York Conference Minister since 2000, Rev. Black was elected this summer at General Synod 27 in Grand Rapids to succeed the Rev. John H. Thomas, who is completing 10 years of service in the office. A 15-year local church pastor, a college chaplain and a former national staff member, Rev. Black offers an infectious sense of humor, a gentle spirit, keen pastoral sensibilities, an ecumenical outlook, a commitment to church growth and evangelism, and a deep concern for justice and peace. He is also passionate about many eclectic interests, from cycling to jazz music, skiing to model railroading. Rev. Black says he loves the United Church of Christ because it is a church that respects and affirms your intellect, while affirming the presence of Jesus Christ in the midst of all that we do. "The teachings of Christ - that's who we are," he said to one newspaper upon his election. Rev. Black earned degrees from Lincoln University in 1969 and Yale Divinity School in 1972. Ordained in the American Baptist Church in 1976, he joined the UCC the following year. Education Elves Contribute to Giving Tree Our education programs experienced Christmas in August as the congregation responded enthusiastically to our Giving Tree, bringing in Play-Doh, felt, glue sticks, construction paper, monetary gifts, a lifetime's supply of cardboard tubes (really, we're all set now on cardboard tubes!), and much more and helping get Smithfield School off to a wonderful start! (see the sitemap for earlier issues)
10/31/09 |
– through you and me!