Volume 53 Issue 5

Newsletter of the Venice United Church of Christ

Venice United Church of Christ

620 Shamrock Boulevard Venice, FL 34293

Telephone: (941) 493-6741

Fax: (941) 497-3157

Email: veniceucc@gmail.com Website: veniceucc.org

Office Hours: All Year Monday-Friday

9am - 12pm & 1pm-4pm

Regular Sunday Schedule: Worship: 10:00 am

Fellowship Hour: 11:00 am

Library Hours: During regular office hours

and Sunday morning

Ministers All Members of the Church

Pastor - Teacher Rev. Donald H. Wilson

Pastor - Teacher Rev. Dr. Keran Olm-Stoelting

Pastor Emeritus Dr. William G. Nix

Director of Music Barbara Quinn

Bella Handbell Choir Director

Pat Hodgkins

Administrative Assistant Pam Gansch-Boythe

Financial Clerk Arlene Smith

Publications Clerk Vicki Decker

Custodian Dan Wasberg

“Never place a period where God has placed a comma.”—Gracie Allen “God is Still Speaking….”

“No matter who you are; no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

Throughout this Easter season, our attention has been drawn toward all those who are participants in God’s resurrection of Jesus. More than just Jesus on Easter morning, we find that Mary’s life is changed completely from everything that was before to become a completely new life for her as the first evangelist of the resurrected Christ. More than just Jesus on Easter morning, we find those lost in grief and sorrow being resurrected at a table with a stranger who reveals to them the risen Christ in sharing bread and wine. More than just Jesus on Easter morning, those who couldn’t believe without seeing for themselves —and not just Thomas, by the way — being resurrected with new eyes, ears, hands and heart, and thus embarking on new lives of carrying God’s good news to countless others. More than just Jesus on Easter morning, we find those who cannot forgive themselves, imprisoned by great powers of regret and guilt, being resurrected by the power of Jesus’s love that is given in spite of us. More than just Jesus on Easter morning, the community of faith is resurrected from those who followed, faithful and true, to become those who lead and love and proclaim the good news of God’s love that we know best in Jesus. More than just Jesus on Easter morning, you are invited into resurrection of body, mind, heart, and soul as a new being in Christ. May you find new life in all you do, in every day you live, indeed in every breath you breathe, as you live the life of Jesus throughout all your days.

Rev. Don Wilson

May 2018

Tidings

Squeaky, Your Church Mouse

Squeaky here! It is that time of year again. Half of our church family has gone to what they call north for the sweltering summer. I miss them when they are gone, and not just because some of them leave me treats from time to time. But, I do miss the treats. Since Rev. Keran is on vacation, I have decided to hang out in her office because there seems to be a plot to capture rodents in little black boxes. I first discovered this sinister plot when I saw a black box in the courtyard. After snooping around and overhearing conversations, I figured it out. So it is safe in Rev. Keran’s office because there are no black boxes in here. I am not sure if my church considers me a rodent. I am just a wee mouse! In one of the conversations I overheard, two of the Building and Grounds members were discussing what they would do if Squeaky ended up in the rodent trap. One of them said no one would be the wiser because I was, after all, a rodent. I found comfort in the other one’s response: “Squeaky is a member of our church. Remember our motto— “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome in this place.” The other one scratched his head and said, “Yes, but he is still a rodent.” So, you can understand why I am a bit nervous about being out and about on the grounds. Also, I know Rev. Keran won’t mind my using her office. She likes me, and I know she likes me because she leaves me treats from time to time. I wanted to travel with her but she didn’t take home the bag that I was hiding in. I will sneak out and check to see in the black box is gone and, when it is, I can resume my activities. I do have a favor to ask. If you happen to be talking to a B&G team member, perhaps you could mention your deep concern that Squeaky might end up in the black box….. otherwise known as a rat trap. Remind them that yours truly is just a wee mouse and of our motto. I really appreciate it! Well, I need to sign off for now. I need a nap. All this espionage is very tiring.

For you Rev. Paul wherever you are!

May Fellowship Hour

Coordinator: Liz Sharpe

Helpers:

Carol & Art Bell Jan Colby

Hilda Dillman Jane Chittick Bob Sharpe

July

Fellowship Hour

Coordinator: Your name here?

Helpers:

Natalie Boudreau Christine Parsons Don & Carol Gray

Bridgett & Kristie Adams Marian Shern

Bill & Peg Fahrenback

June Fellowship Hour

Coordinator: Wendy Seeley

Helpers:

Joanne Gentry Jeff Cook

Phillip Munsey Ruth & Bill Packing Carolyn Stephens

We are publishing the Fellowship Hour teams for the next three months so that

everybody has a bit more warning. If you are a Coordinator and you are unable

to serve in the month for which you're listed, please call Pam in the office or Liz

Sharpe. If you are a team member, please call your Coordinator if you are

unable to serve.

As you can see, we have no coordinator for the month of July.

For anyone who would volunteer to be the Coordinator(s), we have a good team to work with.

Might that be you?

Sincere Thank You to

Joy Klapp And all of the helpers on the

April Fellowship team:

Carl Moyer & Mary Young Carolyn Witt

David & Helen Greenwood Charles & Helen Markus

May Flowers

May 6 Bob Dube

May 13 Dee Rogers & Bob Dube

May 20 Liz & Bob Sharpe

&

Garland Reedy’s Family May 27

open

May Readers

May 6 Howard Scott

May 13 Jim Mink May 20

Bill Reed May 27

Char & Gayle

South County Food Pantry

As you clean out your cupboards and refrigerators in preparation for "summering" up north, please remember the South County Food Pantry. They would be thrilled to accept

your non-perishables that are not out of date! Just bring them to the church and New Dan will get them delivered for you.

Book List from Women’s Sunday

These are the books mentioned by Roberta Mansfield on Women’s Sunday:

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver Self and Soul: a Woman’s Guide to Enhancing Self-Esteem through Spirituality by Adele Wilcox Glimpses of Grace: Daily Thoughts and Reflections by Madeleine L’Engle with Carole Chase A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle Grieving the Loss of Someone You Love: Daily Meditations to Help You through the Grieving Process By Raymond R. Mitsch and Lynn Brookside Necessary Losses by Judith Viorst Welcome to the Wisdom of the World and Its Meaning for You: universal spiritual insights distilled from five religious traditions by Joan Chittister The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully by Joan Chittister

Musical Notes

by Barb Quinn

To everything there is a season…but where did this Season go? In addition to having many friends return to the Land of Upnorth, we are concluding another musical season for the chancel and handbell choirs. The time seems to have flown by too quickly. The chancel choir’s last Sunday is May 20

th, Pentecost Sunday. This month the choir will sing a new

Communion Anthem, At the Table of the Lord. Introits include Because He Lives and Let It Breathe on Me. This will also be our last Singing Communion until October. Thank you to the handbell ringers and the choir singers who have spent many hours rehearsing and sharing their talents with us. We are already looking forward to having them participate in our worship services again in October. If anyone is interested in participating in either of these groups, please see Pat Hodgkins (handbells) or Barb Quinn (choir). At VUCC, we love to make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

May

Greeters

May 6 Christine Parsons

May 13 Helen & Charles

Markus May 20

Ellen & Dick Schleicher May 27

Kate & Art Borduas

May

Welcome Table

May 6 Jesse Crews & Larry

Law May 13

Mona Price May 20

Mary Young & Carl Moyer

May 27 Gayle Rainville

May

Sunday Librarians

May 6 Sherrie Howe

May 13 Helen Markus

May 20 Sandy Anderson

May 27 Marcia Mrphy

Tidings Deadline for June / July 2018 Issue:

Friday, May 18th

Even though things get kind of quiet during the summer……..

Don’t forget the Men’s Fellowship Breakfasts on the 4th Saturday of the month.

At 8:30 am

May

Birthdays Arlene Smith May 01

Betty Moore May 02

David Mansfield May 05

Victoria Augustine May 07

Mary Ann Forsberg May 07

Paul McHenry May 07

Delia Rogers May 10

Dorothy Wilkinson May 13

Wendy Seeley May 15

Nick Long May 20

Garland Reedy May 20

Wanda Mink May 21

Susan Holmes May 25

Richard Railsback May 25

Linda Mellen May 30

May

Anniversaries

Rich & Liz Roehr May 09, 1981 Celebrating 37 Years

Bob & Liz Sharpe

May 21, 1994 Celebrating 24 Years

Garland & Norma Sue White May 28, 1971 Celebrating 47 Years

James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award goes to Christina Mansfield

The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards for 2018 have been announced. Among the five recipients are Christina Mansfield (daughter of Dave and Roberta) and Christina Fialho, the co-founders and Executive Directors of CIVIC (Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement). The $200,000 grant will enable CIVIC to continue and expand its efforts to improve the lives of thousands of imprisoned immigrants. These people are not criminals; they have very few rights; they are often abused, neglected, and marginalized. This year, through their lobbying and the cooperation of California legislators, the two Christinas saw the passage of legislation that ensures that no more public or private prisons for immigrant detention will be built in the state. This legislation serves as a model for other states. The significance of the legislation is that, if a new prison opens, immigrants will be found to fill it. Christina Fialho is a lawyer; Christina Mansfield is an anthropologist. They were both 2012-2014 Echoing Green Fellows. All the Leadership Award recipients were honored at an evening reception at a hotel in Sacramento. The next day, all were honored in the California Senate. The name CIVIC has been changed to Freedom for Immigrants. It reflects their new goal of ending

immigration detention.

Our season is almost at an end. At our April 2 luncheon we installed our officers and board members for the next 2 year season. Due to this successful season we were able to spend $7,550 in support of various charities and causes. If you missed this luncheon, you can check the bulletin for our minutes if you want more information on this. Barb, sore throat and all, gave us a fun program on composers. Again, I'm urging you all to attend Church Women United's Friendship Day Celebration on May 4 at St. Mark's Episcopal, 508 Riviera St., Venice. Key Women Awards will be given, and we will be supporting our own Gayle Davis. Please let me know if you can attend.

Joy Klapp

Not Nosey…. Just Interested…….

So many of you are leaving Venice for your summer destinations. Others are leaving for a short time to meet with family members who are celebrating a graduation or special recognition. We invite you to share these times with us. Your loved ones have worked very hard for their accomplishments, and we can only imagine how proud you must be. Tell us! We enjoy looking at the photos on the office bulletin board of you and your family, but there is a story about those photos and we would love to know about it. Thank you, Dave & Roberta Mansfield, for sharing your daughter Christina’s achievement!

A “Key Woman” from each church in the Venice area is recognized by Church Women United at the CWU May Friendship Luncheon, which is at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on May 4

th this year.

The following is the narrative that was sent to CWU about our Key Woman, Gayle Davis.

Gayle Davis Key Woman from Venice United Church of Christ

2018 Gayle Davis became involved with the independently-run onsite daycare at the Venice United Church of Christ (VUCC). This particular daycare accepts Sarasota County’s subsidy for lower-income working families. She serves as a volunteer and tutor and also works with the other teachers and volunteers. As a result of this involvement, Gayle created and coordinates The Angel Tree Project at VUCC. This program provides Christmas gifts for not only recommended individual children of the daycare, but also for their siblings. It is important for everyone in the family to be recognized, especially during the holidays. Gayle personalizes the experience for each family by having the parents fill out a “needs list” and a “wish list”. Each child receives clothing, shoes, pajamas, outerwear, at least one book, and several toys…all listed on cards with sizes, favorite colors, and favorite characters or themes. Church members may choose to purchase items on one card, or they may sponsor the “whole child”. Everything is coded so that even the many volunteers who help with sorting and organizing do not have a family’s private information. Gayle has lost track of the many hours she spends on this project each year! She is also willing to speak to other organizations about how they, too, may coordinate such a program. Gayle organizes the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter baskets for families in need. Although many other churches also do this project, Gayle does it in a way that involves the whole church. Congregation members may sponsor an entire item, such as all of the butter, or they may bring individual items. Everyone can also refer someone who may need a basket. Each basket includes extra items and recipes for suggested use of leftovers. Recipients are not just church members or attendees but also daycare families and some who participate in the Family Promise program. As with her other projects, Gayle supervises many volunteers in this effort. The Venice United Church of Christ is proud to have Gayle Davis recognized as our Key Woman for 2018.

May 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 9:30 AM

Building &

Grounds

Meeting

10:30 AM

College Club

2 9:15 AM

Backpack

1:00 PM Cut

Ups

6:30 PM

Choir

3 9:00 AM

Backpack

Clean-up

10:30 AM

Adventure

Seekers Bible

Study

4 5

6 9:00 AM Choir

10:00 AM Worship –

Communion

followed by Time of

Fellowship

7 8:00 AM

Landscape

Ministry

7:00 PM Fun

Fellowship

Bridge Group

8 8:00 AM

Lifeline

Screening

9:00 AM

Library

Ministry

Meeting

9:30 AM

Financial

Admin.

9 6:30 PM

Choir

10 10:30 AM

Adventure

Seekers Bible

Study

2:00 PM

VICA Board

Meeting

11 12

13 9:00 AM Choir

10:00 AM Worship

followed by Time of

Fellowship

14 8:00 AM

Landscape

Ministry

7:00 PM Fun

Fellowship

Bridge Group

15 16 1:00 PM Cut

Ups

6:30 PM

Choir

17 10:30 AM

Adventure

Seekers Bible

Study

12:00 PM

Suncoast

Clergy

4:00 PM

Baby Basics

18 10:00 AM

Stephen

Ministry

Meeting

19 9:30 AM

Venice

Area

Democrats'

Club

20 9:00 AM Choir

10:00 AM Worship

followed by Time of

Fellowship

21 8:00 AM

Landscape

Ministry

7:00 PM Fun

Fellowship

Bridge Group

22 9:30 AM

Leadership

Council

23 6:30 PM

Choir

24 10:30 AM

Adventure

Seekers Bible

Study

25 26 8:30 AM

Men's

Fellowship

Breakfast

27 9:00 AM Choir

10:00 AM Worship

followed by Time of

Fellowship

28 Office Closed

8:00 AM

Landscape

Ministry

29 30 31 10:30 AM

Adventure

Seekers Bible

Study