vol. 12 issue 8

THE NEW COVENANT MESSENGER

New Covenant Community Church

August 2016

1587 West Exchange Street

Akron, OH 44313

330-253-6989

www.covenantakron.org

office@covenantakron.org1

NEW COVENANT WORSHIPS

August 7th

A Service of Worship and Communion

Rev. Phil Smith

John Miller, Liturgist

Fellowship, Nancy Clem

August 14th

A Service of Worship and Communion

Rev. Dr. Alex McLean

John Norval, Liturgist

Fellowship, Betty Miller

August 21st

A Service of Worship and Communion

Rev. Dr. Alex McLean

Betsy Davis, Liturgist

TBD, Fellowship

NEW COVENANT GOVERNS

FAITH DEVELOPMENT

Sunday, August 7th

11:15am after service

Jackie Roth, Chair

FINANCE

Sunday, August 21st

11:15am after service

John Sezna, Chair

GOVERNING BOARD

Wednesday, August 24th

Fellowship Hall, 5pm

MEMBERSHIP

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August 28th

A Service of Worship and Communion

Rev. Dr. Alex McLean

Mary Norval, Liturgist

TBD, Fellowship

Tuesday, August 16

Fellowship Hall, 4pm

Mary Dietz, Chair

MISSIONS

Tuesday, August

Fellowship Hall, 5pm

Margie Frlich, Chair

WORSHIP

TBD

Fellowship Hall

Hal Horton and Clarita Rader, Co-chairs

August 2016 Pastor’s Column

This is just one more reminder that we are moving our NCCC Worship Service to the Rockynol Chapel on August 7th. Many of you know that Rockynol is located at 1150 W Market St, Akron, OH 44313, just a mile or so from our church. The name of the chapel is the Myrna and Hugh Porter Chapel. The easiest way to enter into the chapel is from the Market street side of Rockynol. This is particularly true if you have a handicap sticker for your car. The issue is that there are not enough parking spaces to accommodate our congregation on the Market Street side. There is much additional parking on the Exchange Street side of Rockynol. The Exchange Street address is 1275 W. Exchange, and it is across from the Westminster Presbyterian Church. You can enter Rockynol through the Health Center and then take the elevators and follow the signs to the chapel. Rockynol’s phone number, if you have any questions, is (330) 867-2150.

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Worship is at 10:00 AM through Labor Day (September 4th), and then we will worship at 11:00 AM throughout the rest of September. We hope to be back in our church by mid-September, however, we have an agreement with Rockynol which lasts through the end of September.

Rockynol is offering their chapel to us without cost. It is a very beautiful and, air conditioned, space to worship, with lovely stained glass windows. There are also two video monitors, so the service should be very similar to ours, with the video presentation of the service. Our worship service at Rockynol also is benefitting their retirement community, who have been invited to join us in worship. Currently, they do not have a chaplain. They have not had a permanent chaplain since Rev. Diane Walker left for another chaplaincy at a retirement community Cleveland. So we will be joined by the Rockynol residents who usually worship at their chapel. It will be a combined service of NCCC and Rockynol residents. This gives the Rockynol staff more time to hire a chaplain, and to no longer look for fill-in pastors each Sunday. Rockynol has been very gracious in working with us and have been most helpful in every step of the process. We have tested our computer equipment in the chapel with their help, and we have also arranged to have a fellowship time after the service with their assistance.

I look forward to seeing you there soon for worship. I will be on vacation on August 7th, and Rev. Phil Smith will lead our first service. For our time at Rockynol, we will receive communion by intinction, as our communion trays are packed away. Blessings, Rev. Alex McLean

Personal Note: Rose and I are looking to downsize our two-bedroom apartment at Tower 80. If you know of a small house, or a two-bedroom apartment, or a one-bedroom apartment, not too far from the church, please let me know. Thank you.

A Word from Ken Williams, President of Governing Board:

Things are Moving FastAt this writing, our loan application is being considered by the bank, the contract with the contractor is close to completion, and most of the contents of the church have been boxed in preparation for construction which begins on August 1.Beginning August 7, we will be worshipping at Rockynol for about six weeks. While there, we will be joined by residents of Rockynol who are currently without a chaplain of their own.

Here are detailed (maybe too detailed) instructions on how to reach the Porter Chapel at Rockynol.

Parking. There are a few handicap parking places off Market Street near the chapel and more near the Health Center entrance off Exchange. General parking is available only off Exchange.

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Entrances. On the Market Street side, there is an entrance to the left of the chapel and you may also enter through the main entrance to Independent Living. On the Exchange street side, use the Heath Center entrance.

Step-by-step instructions from the Health Center Entrance.1. Enter the building and proceed 30’ to the elevators.2. Take an elevator to the 3rd floor (Carrell Center).3. Turn right and follow the signs to IL Apartments / Porter Chapel. The route goes over a bridge and turns right just past the library.4. Take the elevator up to the 2nd floor.5. Turn right coming out of the elevator and follow the signs to the chapel. The route bends as it passes offices, goes through double glass doors and up a short ramp to the chapel and fountain area.

Return to Health Center parking lot. Follow these instructions in reverse. You must enter “5” “0” on the upper key pad to open the exitto the parking lot.

Ken Williams

Personnel News: Your Personnel Committee members have had an interesting journey in hiring a new Executive Assistant to the Pastor this summer. If there was ever a question of having faith, and a little help from "above", you might say our prayers were answered and our faith reinforced. Here's a short version of our experience.

 

When we received Paula's notice, we put ads on Craig's List in in the West Leader. No responses from the paper, and just a few through Craig's List. One person interviewed but did not have the qualifications we were looking for. Then Marissa's application arrived, we interviewed her and felt she was "ideal", and more than qualified. Then after she was with us for a few weeks, she had to leave unexpectedly for personal reasons. 

We started the process again, this time through Craig's List and OhioMeansJobs.com.  Only a few new responses through Craig's List, none from OhioMeansJobs. We interviewed the candidate that looked to be a good match for us, and again she seemed ideal, maybe better than the first. We made the job offer to our eager job candidate, but unfortunately she received sudden unexpected bad news of a medical problem that made changing jobs not a good idea at this time. Now we were a bit depressed! 

We contacted our only other potentially viable candidate, and after meeting her we thought God does work in mysterious ways! Our new hire seems potentially even better than the first two! 

Meet Ruth Friedman, Executive Assistant to the Pastor and Church Secretary

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Ruth comes to us from Columbus, Ohio where she most recently has been the Career and Internship Advisor for Ohio State University English Department. Prior to that she was a Program Director in OSU's Dept. of English that involved in a number of initiatives, including retention, recruitment, and alumni outreach; website and social media communications; Academic, personal, and professional advising of all English majors and creative writing, English, popular culture, and professional writing minors; and the evaluation of transfer credit for all lower and upper level coursework. Other work experience includes: Assistant Director for Outreach, Women in Engineering Program at OSU; Editorial Associate, Reading Research Quarterly, OSU School of Teaching and Learning, College of Education and Human Ecology; Grants Writer, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX; and more!

Ruth has a B.A. in English from Wellesley College and a M.A. In English from Northwestern University. Ruth comes to Akron to pursue a degree from the University of Akron's graduate program in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling.she assures us that she will be here for at least 2 years while she is taking classes. She has taken an apartment in the Highland Square area and loves that nearly everything is within walking distance, including our church!  Many of you were able to meet Ruth on Sunday July 24th when she walked from her apartment to hear Pastor Alex. Ruth looks forward to exploring the area, including the many hiking trails and parks. 

Please welcome Ruth and share info about some of your favorite places and activities. We look forward to utilizing Ruth's experience and skills in writing, communication, and media when she starts on August 15th. Ruth's positive outlook and outgoing personality will be a real asset to us....as will flexibility, since we should be in the midst of our renovation for the first 6-8 weeks of her employment!

Beverly Cinovec, Chair NCCC Personnel Committee

LEAVE A LEGACY OR DEDICATION FOR ALL TO REMEMBER

The Facilities/Renovation Committee would like to include a Remembrance Path incorporated into the walk to the front door of the church. The path will be made up of laser engraved pavers/bricks that have a lifetime warranty, use high quality graphics, and are extremely durable. Each brick is 4X8 or 8X8, can have 3 lines of text with 20 characters on each line. This project would also help pay for a part of the renovation. The 4X8 pavers would cost $100, and the 8X8 pavers would cost $250. An order form is included in the newsletter.

We will take orders until January 31, 2017, in order to install the walk by Easter.

Having your name, family or loved one’s name on a beautifully engraved brick enhances our church and the community and will be remembered forever.

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For more information, visit our website at www.covenantakron.org or our facebook page New Covenant Community Church @covenantakron, or contact Carol Davis, caroldavis56@att.net.

All for the Good of God

Carol Davis

330-671-4494

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NEW COVENANT COMMUNITY CHURCH

REMEMBERANCE PATH

LASER ENGRAVED 4x8 BRICK SPONSOR ORDER FORM

Purchasers Name _____________________________________

Address _____________________________________________

City, State, Zip ________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________

INFORMATION TO BE ENGRAVED ON 4X8PLEASE ALLOW 20 CHARACTERS PER LINE, AND UP TO 3 LINES OF TEXT

CHARACTERS, SPACES, AND PUNCTUATION COUNT AS ONE SPACEEngraved text will be centered vertically and horizontally

*PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY*THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR KIND SPONSORSHIP

*If using a SYMBOL you may allow for 3 lines & 14 characters per line. Please note the symbol in parentheses (__________________)

4x8 Donations: $ 100

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Payable to: NEW COVENANT COMMUNITY CHURCHMail to:1587 W. EXCHANGE ST. AKRON, OHIO 44333

EXAMPLE:T H E J E F F E R S O N F A M I L Y

B R A N D O N & J E S S I C A

K E L L I , J E F F , A S H L E Y

SYMBOL: WEDDING RINGS

MINUTE  FOR  MISSIONS-Missions committee would like to thank all of you who work so hard on our beautiful NCCC Mission Garden!!!Betsy Davis reports that the people at Genneserat have already enjoyed a harvest of collard greens and green beans with much more produce, such as cucumbers, potatoes, summer squash, zucchini and tomatoes, to come!!!  If you haven't seen it yet, come out and view our beautiful garden and thank our garden tenders!!!

Also, Missions committee would like to thank all who came to the aid of Jaleesa Larkin and her family after fire devastated their apartment and all their belongings! A special thank you to and God bless Krystee Kouri, who reached out to her friend when she most needed her!!! Krystee is providing the washer/ dryer and Missions committee is providing an additional donation to help cover cost of a new couch, so these items are no longer needed.

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THE MORRISONS DANI & TREVIN

MARRIED 8/2, 2014

Mission Garden News

“Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. (TLB, Isaiah 58:10-11)

Again this year our gardeners are Bev Cinovec, Betsy Davis, Marty Pastor, Nancy Clem, and Ken Williams. All through the spring, summer, and fall, this mission oriented team works not only on the NCCC Mission Garden, but also plants and maintains the flower garden by the backdoor, and weeds, prunes, and plants the flowers and shrubs in the front of the church and the church sign. We would love for anyone interested in these endeavors to join us. Just see anyone on the "gardening team".

Now that it is summer, we are starting to see some of the fruits of our labors. The flowers are blooming by the entrance to the church and the garden is starting to produce. 

We started making weekly deliveries to Genessaret in mid-July of collards, beans, and squash. This year we have both zucchini and yellow squash. These were growing under the new hi-hoop tents that we hoped would eliminate the problem with squash borers. These bugs eat out the base of the stems, causing rot, and the plants fall over dead just as they reach they're prime. The jury's still out, but we're getting enormous and plentiful squash right now.  

Also new this year are the red potatoes. These will be harvested when, as Nick Rusanowsky counsels us, "the tops fall to the ground and die". We will keep you posted.

As this summer has been so hot and dry, we are having to water. The old hoses were very heavy and the connectors were breaking. So Ken Williams got us some new hoses, quick-connectors, and a sprinkler that can water the entire garden in one sweep. Kudos to Ken for making this chore so much easier! (When we're watering you will see a dumpster in the middle of the parking lot. The dumpster is protecting the hose connectors from being run-over.)

Ken also solved the bunny problem by installing chicken wire all around the base of the fence. Our bean patch is again producing beautiful and bountiful green beans!

The tomatoes, peppers, and a few other "mystery" plants are coming along on schedule and should be ready for harvest as the growing season progresses.

 Beverly Cinovec

Gardening Team

 

o Marty Pastor and Nancy Clem (and little friend) getting ready to deliver produce to

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Genessaret

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From the Akron Area Interfaith Council:

Starting with an update on the Fairlawn Hunger Walk on May 1, NCCC contributed $1209 to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. We had 12 walkers. A check for over $25,000 from the Summit, Stark, and Medina County Walks was presented to the Foodbank on July 21.

Continuing, I want to thank those of you who volunteered at the Summer Feeding Program for the two weeks at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in the North Hill area. Attendance at that program has run from 0-11, but the children who have been fed, although sometimes small in number, seemed grateful and have been fun to converse with. The two coordinators at that church are definite leaders, committed to working with the kids in North Hill. Thanks to Alex, Rose, Margie, Jaci, Susie, and Ken W.

The feeding program goes through August 16th if you know a young person who would benefit.

To give an update on activities, in June, shortly after our Retreat with Rev. Katy Brungraber, we were called on to attend a candlelight vigil at First Congregational Church to honor the victims of the Orlando shooting. While I could not attend because of a trip, I heard the evening was truly inspirational, showing solidarity during a troubled time.

In July, AAIC was one of the sponsors for “Teatime for Peace,” a gathering at the Islamic Center in Cuyahoga Falls, to basically get to know each other from different faith backgrounds through honest dialogue and discussion. What a wonderful gathering it was with over 150 people represented--all talking and getting to know one another. (Picture: AAIC representative, Surinder Bharwaj, presents stole to Islamic Center)

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Last week you got to hear Rev. Alex preach on mental illness, relating the topic to faith and scripture for the “Change Direction Initiative for Summit County.” The subject of Mental Health was taken to our places of worship on that day. Ken and I were down at Lock 3 July 22 where the issue of mental health was taken to Main Street with food trucks, speakers who had and are dealing with mental health issues and various literature being passed out. (Picture of Mental Health Rally at Lock 3 Park)

As AAIC turns toward the fall, I’d like you to keep in mind three events you can attend.

The first is the Global Village Festival, Saturday, Sept. 17, at Jennings Community

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Center (School) off Tallmadge Av. in North Hill. The time is 11-6. The day will feature various displays from different faith groups, activities for children, and food. AAIC will have a booth featuring a Cookie Walk.

The second event, as part of Peace Week Akron, occurs Oct. 1 & 2, at the Elms and will feature a mini-Parliament of World Religions, based on the larger event last Oct. in Salt Lake City.

Finally, a few days after that on Oct. 6, the annual Fall Forum will be held at the First Congregational Church in Akron from 7-8:30. The topic is “Your Faith, Your Freedom, Your Vote,” moderated by Dr. Steve Brooks from the Political Science Dept. at the University of Akron and featuring a panel of six Akron area faith leaders. The evening is faith-based not politically-based. More information later.

In conclusion, the AAIC is an active group attempting to deal with today’s unsettling issues from a faith perspective, bringing together all religions in the diverse Akron community.

You are welcome to attend our next meeting on Aug. 2 at St. Hilary’s from 10:30-12. Just let me know.

Nancy Williams

_______________________________________________________________

Fellowship Committee

Although we have no events scheduled at this time for Aug-Sept.-Oct. while we are under construction, our committee is open to suggestions away from the church that will not only keep us together during this time, but also provide a fun fellowship experience.

Let Nancy or any of the committee members know your suggestions.

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Choir and Praise Band Dinner & Rehearsal, Thursday, Sept. 8 beginning at 6 pm at the home of Ken and Nancy Williams, 109 S. Hametown Rd. in Copley. Come, sing, and have fun with our sometimes crazy group of singers and musicians. Information about food will come later.

News from Worship Committee: The worship committee will meet in mid to late August. They wish to assess how worship is going at Rockynol before meeting. If you have comments about our new worship space at Rockynol Porter Chapel, please contact Hal Horton or Clarita Rader.

June/July 2016 Pastoral Recap

On July 27th, the Governing Board held its monthly meeting. We discussed the newly signed contract for with the general contractor. We also discussed appropriate signage for the building while it is under construction, and we are at Rockynol Chapel. Another topic was the discussion of the financial terms for our construction loan with Key Bank. Contact Ken Williams for more information.

On July 26th, I had lunch with the finance committee at Rockne’s. It was a nice time of fellowship with our main topics continuing to be politics and sports.

Later on the 26th, I attended the book club held at Lib Kime’s home. We discussed two chapters from Richard Rohr’s book Falling Upward. He is a Franciscan Priest who has written numerous books on spirituality and has served as a jail chaplain, spiritual director, college teacher, and confessor.

The Renovation Committee also met on the 26th. I am happy to report that the church agreed to final terms with the contractor, and we have a signed contract. The contractor, Mark Hammer, told us that work will begin August 1st, but it won’t get real busy until the middle of August.

On the 25th, Rose and I helped out at the Summer Feeding Program at St. Andrew’s Church in the North Hill neighborhood. We had nine children who attended. Some were from Guatemala, others from Puerto Rica, and still others from Euro-American backgrounds. The North Hill is certainly the “international” neighborhood in Akron. I also helped out on the 27th.

July 22nd-24 was a special weekend in Akron. It was a partnership of government agencies, charities, and faith. It was entitled Change Direction, and the title refers to changing the direction of the conversation about mental health and treatment in our society. US

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Congressman Tim Ryan, Mayor Michael Horrigan, and County Executive Russ Pry were some of its organizers. On the 21st, there was a symposium on this topic at the Main Library. Following that, there was a rally at Lock 3 Park. A number of people spoke who are in recovery from mental illness or addiction. On the 24th, many churches and other faith organizations focused on the topic as part of their weekend services. I preached on how the church can be a healing place, can recognize the signs of suffering, and can also give people a place to live out their calling in terms of volunteer work for the church and community.

On July 21st, Rose and I were at the Akron Roundtable to hear the Honorable Patrick J Kennedy. He is the son of Senator Ted Kennedy, and served 16 years in the US House of Representatives from the state of Rhode Island. He retired from Congress a year after his father died in 2010. The title of his talk was "My Journey: Making Mental Health Essential Health." During his time in Congress he was a tireless advocate for improving mental health policy and treatment. As it turns out, that there was a very personal side of this story which he shared. Mr. Kennedy was first in rehab for drugs and alcohol at the very young age of 17. Throughout his career in the Congress, he fought his alcohol and drug addiction. In addition, he was also diagnosed with a mental illness, a mood disorder. Now, he has been sober for five years and he lives in southern New Jersey, married, and has four children. He has recently released a book entitled A Common Struggle, which is about his own recovery, but also about how many millions of Americans are affected by the same thing. Many of you know that you do not have to be diagnosed with an addiction or mental illness in order to be affected by it. You may be the loved one who needs help, or be the one who gives your support, in their recovery. Mr. Kennedy's remarks were a great kick-off to the "Change Directions" weekend in greater Akron that highlighted the importance of early intervention in the lives of those with mental illness.

On Wednesday, July 20th, Rose and I volunteered at the Summer Feeding Program at St. Andrew's Church. We met members of their church, and they gave us a tour of their beautiful church, which has approximately 20 members in Sunday worship. The church was built in 1921 for a neighborhood of English and Welsh immigrants. The neighborhood has since gone through many ethnic changes over the years and now serves primarily refugees from Bhutan and Nepal.

Later on the 20th, the Goodwill truck stopped by to pick up an assortment of items from the church. There was everything from a filing cabinet, to books, to artificial flowers and vases. We received a letter thanking us for our contributions.

In the evening, the Personnel Committee interviewed a very promising candidate for the Office Manager position at our church. We will send out more information as things develop.

On July 19th, I had lunch with the finance committee at Leah's Kitchen. We had a nice time of fellowship, after the Finance Committee counted the Sunday offering.

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Later on the 19th, the Membership Committee met. We made arrangements to send out birthday and anniversary cards for the next two months. We also made arrangements to make dinner for some in our congregation who have recently been through surgery.

After the Membership Committee met, the Missions Committee held their meeting. Betsy Davis gave an update on our community garden. Our first picking of vegetables went to Gennesaret Nutritional Center recently. It included collards and green beans. Some of the "upcoming attractions" are zucchini, summer squash, and tomatoes.

Following the Mission Meeting, I went to Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church for a brief Session meeting. I am the liaison between Goodyear Heights and the Commission on Ministry. It was my first time meeting the session, and they and their pastor, Rev. Reford Nash, were very hospitable.

On Tuesday July 19th, the Renovation committee met. The main item of business was to fill out a draft of the contract. We are getting very close to signing off on it. Contact Mark Davis or Ken Williams for more information.

From July 18-29, we have been volunteering in the Summer Feeding Program at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in the North Hill area on Thayer Street. Many children and young people depend on the nutrition they receive from the free breakfast and lunch programs at school during the academic year. But this is not available during the summer. So there is this Summer Feeding Program which is partnership of volunteers and government funding. There are a number of sites throughout the city where children and young people (under 18) can receive a free lunch through August 18th. Please pass on the information if you know of a family who might benefit from this program.

On July 13th, John Norval invited me to play a round of golf at Goodpark Golf Course. We had not just a good time, but a spiritual one. We prayed, as we watched our golf balls veer towards the woods, we celebrated when we struck below par, and consoled one another at the double bogeys.

Later on the 13th, I attended the monthly Commission on Ministry at Lake Milton Presbyterian Church. It was our Interim General Presbyter Nancy Kahaian's last meeting. She will start her new call as General Presbyter of Cincinnati presbytery on August 1st. We dismissed her as a member of Eastminster Presbytery, so the way will be clear for her to join the Presbytery of Cincinnati. A new Interim Presbyter has been appointed

On July the 12th, the packing of the church earnestly begun. Marlys and members of the choir stored all of the paraments, moved multiple boxes from behind the sanctuary filled with music, collected candles, and a number of other items. The Fellowship Committee packed and stored

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everything that was in the kitchen also on July 13th. On the 14th, the worship committee packed the communion sets, collection trays, crosses, and a variety of other things. On the 16th, we did some of the heavy lifting. Mark Davis brought a dolly and we moved numerous filing cabinets, and the secretary's desk. We cleaned out the utility closet, the Sunday School classrooms. Later in the month John Sezna and Charlie Rader packed and moved our financial documents and other files. Thanks to everyone helped out. It not only showed the spirit of volunteerism, but it saved us a lot of money, as we would have had to have someone do all this moving and packing for us.

The Renovation Committee met on the 12th. We are getting closer to signing the contract, and just a few more points need to be clarified before we do.

On the 11th, Marge Good and I had lunch at Rockynol. Following that, Margaret Roth and I met with Rockynol's Debbie Collier, and their head of maintenance, to discuss lights, sound, and video monitors. The meeting went well, and we are hoping for no glitches at our first service on July 7th.

On the 10th, following worship, Ken Williams called a meeting to discuss the move. Plans are already made to pack the kitchen, music and paraments, communion sets, and heavy items. Thanks for everyone’s cooperation.

On July 9th, we volunteered at Gennesaret. Thanks to everyone who helped out: Betsy Davis, Lev Anderson, Betty Miller, Margie Frlich, Brynna Kouri and her friend, Andrew Meyer, and John and Mary Norval. We fed over 120 people, and they left with bags of groceries to help them through the week.

On the 7th, I attended the Downtown Kiwanis meeting. The guest speaker was publisher of Akron Life magazine. The magazine covers the cultural and culinary scene of greater Akron. The latest issue features "Five Must-visit Bed & Breakfasts".

Later on the 7th, Ken Williams and I met with representatives of Rockynol to discuss the use of their chapel while we vacate our building. Executive Director, Kara Hanza, and administrative assistant, Debbie Collier, were extremely cooperative in making arrangements for us at no cost. We will be helping Rockynol in return. Currently, they have no chaplain, and it has been hard to find clergy to fill-in. So for our stay at Rockynol, we will be welcoming their residents who usually worship at the chapel. This gives Kara and Debbie more time to find a chaplain.

On the 6th, the officers and committee chairs of the Akron Area Interfaith Council met at the Unitarian Church in Fairlawn. Nancy Williams convened the meeting and we discussed a number of topics, including meeting our Muslim neighbors at "Teatime for Peace" an event that the Islamic Society of Akron and Kent is hosting on July 14th.

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On July 5th, the personnel committee met to interview a candidate for the position of office manager. The committee was impressed with the candidate and invited her back for a second interview on July 7th.

Later on the 5th, the Renovation Committee met with the architect, Mark Smith, and general contractor, Mark Hammer. We did a walk-through of the church to see what had to be moved in order that the construction could commence. We also went over details of the cost of the project, and got closer to signing a contract.

On June 30th, the church said good-bye to our church secretary, Marisa Patawaren. She is moving back to eastern Pennsylvania so her young son can be closer to his father. The personnel committee gave Marisa a bracelet with a biblical quote, and we wish her well. She had many talents and our church benefitted greatly in the short time that she was here.

On June 29th, the Governing Board met for its monthly meeting. We heard from all committees, and things are moving forward. President Ken Williams shared the update on the renovation: it is scheduled to start on August 1st. We will vacate the church building for six weeks. We will be worshipping at the chapel at Rockynol. We have a final bid from the contractor that fits our budget, and the project should be finished in 6-8 months, though we can begin to use the church and sanctuary after September 15th.

On June 28th, I was back at the office. It was a busy day. I went to lunch with the Finance Committee, met with the Book club and Personnel Committee, and the Renovation Committee.

From the 13 to the 27th of June, Rose and I were on vacation. We thank Rev. Cody Watson and Rev. Phil Smith for filling the pulpit on the two Sundays I was gone. Rose and I had a wonderful trip to Austria and Slovenia. We visited many churches and chapels, including the one in Oberndorf, where the hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night” was written, and performed, for the first time. We spent over half the time in Vienna where we heard concerts and choirs, visited museums, took walks through the parks and shopping areas, and relaxed almost each day at a café. Rose’s grandmother was a native speaker of Slovenia, and emigrated to the USA before World War I. So it was a sort of homecoming for Rose.

On the 11th, about eight of our members volunteered at Gennesaret. We fed over 135 people. As they left, there were fruits and vegetables, meats, bread, and baked goods for the guests to take home with them.

Later on the 11th, I travelled to University Hospital in Cleveland to see Hal Horton who is recovering from hip-replacement surgery.

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On June 8th, I was at Lake Milton Presbyterian Church for the monthly Commission on Ministry meeting. We reviewed the churches in the Eastminster Presbytery.

On the 7th, I was at the Brushwood Pavilion at Furnace Run Metro Park for a retreat of the Akron Area Interfaith Council. Twenty of our members were present who represented diverse religions: Christian, Jewish, Bhai, Muslim, Hindu, and others. It was a very interesting retreat that helped our organization get to know each other better, and to set goals for the future, and reinforce a spirit of teamwork. Thanks to Nancy Williams, President of AAIC, for putting the retreat together with others from AAIC.

Later on the 7th, I was at the Presbytery meeting held at Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church. The Interim General Presbyter, Rev. Nancy Kahaian, has taken a new call to be the General Presbyter of the Cincinnati Presbytery. She will be concluding her work with the Eastminster Presbytery in mid-July. We wish her well in her new calling. A search committee was formed to find a new General Presbyter for Eastminster. The Presbytery hopes to have someone in place by December. The interesting thing about the job is that it will be combined with that of the stated clerk. For financial reasons, the Presbytery is looking for a General Presbyter/Stated Clerk in one person.

Later on the 7th, I was at the Renovation Committee at the church. The contractor, Mark Hammer, was present, as well as the architect Mark Smith. We began to discuss the contract between the church and Mark Hammer’s firm. The different tasks of the construction project are out for bid now, and Mark Hammer should have a firm estimate on June 28th, the date of our next meeting.

On June 5th, we had our first service on the summer schedule. It was followed by Lemonade on the Lawn. Due to the weather, we held the event indoors.

Later on the 5th, I travelled to University Hospital to see Hal Horton. He was undergoing hip-replacement surgery. The day before he slipped at home and fractured his hip.

On June 3rd, I attended the monthly meeting of the Downtown Kiwanis Club. We had a nice meal together at the Duck Club, part of the Rubber Duck stadium. The speaker was Mr. Joe Mazur, president and CEO, of the Soap Box Derby. The Derby has a long history in Akron going back to 1935. After some time of financial hardship, the Derby has been rebuilding its program since the mid-2000’s. The Derby now has over seventy events per year. It is also very active in the schools. A number of Akron schools build a car under the direction of a teacher, and as part of the STEM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). It is a great opportunity for students to work together, and to have fun together, while learning. The Derby also has races for mentally and physically challenged youth. There is a senior day, where senior citizens can race down the track.

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Quote for the Month: August is the Sunday of Summer

Happy Birthday To:

8/2: Krystee Cole

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8/4: Billy Cole

8/7: Kris Wagner

8/10: Bob Roth

8/30: Charlene Witner

Happy Anniversary To:

8/15: Sue and Phil Smith

8/20: Camille and Jim Strandberg

8/22: Nancy Clem and John Lowenfeld

8/23: Mary and John Norval

8/23: Heidi and Ken Heischman

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