UNITED CHURCH NEWS October 2006

“A community of faith providing nurture, strength, & direction for living today in God’s world.”

From the Interim Pastor’s Pen:

During the months of October and November there will be many opportunities to deepen our understanding of God’s goodness and respond to that goodness by giving of ourselves.

We begin this discovery with a free Gratitude Luncheon on October 15. This will be a great time to celebrate who we are and what we have done, and to look courageously and with faith to the future. (For more info see Stewardship article by Mike Olmsted.

During the week following this luncheon we will look at Time - how we use it and how we might set quality time aside for God, our inner selves, our families or friends, and others in need.

During the next week, we will look at the unique Talents God has given to each of us, some of which we may know and some of which are still a secret—even to ourselves. And we will explore how we might use those talents for good—for the good of this church, this community, our world.

And during the third week, we will look at how we have been blessed materially—and to consider what part of our Treasure we want to, in gratitude, return to God to support the work of the United Church of Fayetteville.

All of these considerations—how to allot time, talent and treasure—will be expanded upon through stories, messages and written material. Our focus will be based on Scripture, the words and life of Jesus Christ and it is at the very center of our Christian tradition, namely that:

n God has blessed each of us, abundantly.

n Out of gratitude we want to return a portion of what we have received.

n In order to bring Christ's presence into as many lives as we are able, we need to dedicate a portion of our time, a portion of the “first fruits” of our talents, and a portion of the treasure we have been allotted.

n As Christian disciples, we want to experience a life of generosity.

I know you agree that we are at our best when our hearts are open in generosity. We feel better knowing that we are sharing a portion of that which we have been given, generously, by God.

I believe good stewardship isn't based on God's needs, the needs of this church or this community. Stewardship is based on that longing deep within each of our hearts to give generously of the very best that we have and are. I hope each of you will find this a very useful way to stop and take a fresh look at how we are living our lives. This is a chance to grow closer to God and to allow the Holy Spirit to enliven and refocus our lives.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Waters, Interim Pastor

Worship for October 2006

Worship at 10:25 AM, Child Care 9 AM - Noon

Fellowship Time each week after worship in Fellowship Hall

October 1 World Communion Sunday 26^th Sunday, Ordinary Time

10:25 AM Sermon: “Mission of the Lambs” Rev. Dr. Maqsood Kamil

Scriptures: Matthew 5-7

Liturgist: Kathleen Waters

Sacrament of Communion (served); Peacemaking Offering received

October 8 Worship for the Lord’s Day 27^th Sunday, Ordinary Time

9:25 AM Sermon: “What Would Jesus Do - WWJD” Rev. Bill Coop

Scriptures: Psalm 26; Mark 3:20-35

October 15 National Children’s Sabbath 28^th Sunday, Ordinary Time

10:25 AM Sermon: “Repairers of the Breach” Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

National Children’s Sabbath is a time set aside for persons of all ages to reflect,

pray and recommit to meeting the needs of our nation’s children. As “repairers of

the breach” and “restorers of streets to live in,” we are called to pass on our faith to our children.

Scriptures: Isaiah 58:9b-12; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31

Commissioning of CROP Walkers

October 22 Worship for the Lord’s Day/Stewardship of Time 29^th Sunday, Ordinary Time

10:25 AM Sermon: “The Dilemma of Time” Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

Scriptures: Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c; Mark 10:35-45

October 29 Reformation Sunday/Stewardship of Talents 30^th Sunday, Ordinary Time

10:25 AM Sermon: “Here I Stand” Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

Scriptures: Psalm 34:1-8; Mark 10:46-52

Liturgist: Jason Larson

Presentation of bibles to Third Graders

Day Light Saving Time ends

We welcome, the Rev. Dr. Maqsood Kamil as our guest preacher on October 1, World Communion Sunday. Rev. Kamil is from Pakistan and is currently a professor of systematic theology at Gujranwala Theological Seminary and also serves as the executive secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan.

We welcome the Rev Bill Coop as our guest preacher on October 8. Before his retirement Bill served as the Pastor of South Presbyterian Church in Syracuse, the Executive Presbyter of Hudson River, a missionary in the South Pacific, and a chapel at the University of Maryland.

Pastoral Care: Rev. Waters, works with our Congregational Care Committee and can be reached through the church office (637-3186), elders of the month, or at home.

Elder of the Month for October: Barb McKean

Purpose of Elders of the Month: For members with a crisis, emergency situation, a particular concern or need for care, the elders of the month are available to assist the pastor, when a pastor is unavailable, or when the church office is closed.

Procedure for calling: please call the church office weekdays between 9 AM – 3 PM, otherwise call either the elders of the month or the pastor.

Adult Education

Forums and Bible Study

Sundays 9:00 - 10:15 AM

Join us for coffee, fellowship & discussion

The United Church offers Adult Education opportunities between 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Bible study is conducted in Women’s Lounge, and Adult Forum presentations and discussions are held in Beard Lounge. Parents who prefer an unstructured opportunity to talk informally with other parents, can meet in Room 5 on the ground level of the church. We also plan to resume midweek Bible study this fall with Jason Larson, a PhD student at Syracuse University. Details of this Bible study will be made available in a future Sunday bulletin or newsletter.

I. Forums in Beard Lounge

Forums are presentations and discussions which focus on timely topics of Christian social concern, personal and spiritual development, Bible study, or explorations of our Christian heritage and world religions. Through Forums we seek to provide a place for understanding special topics or current issues of our Christian presence in the community and world.

The following topics are scheduled during October:

October 1: Dr. Maqsood Kamil, an International Peacemaker from Pakistan, sponsored by the United Presbyterian Church, will discuss peacemaking efforts in Pakistan. Dr. Kamil holds both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry degree.  He is currently a professor of systematic theology at Gujranwala Theological Seminary and also serves as the executive secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. Dr. Kamil will also preach during the morning worship to follow Adult Forum.

October 8: Report on summer 2006 visitation to the Iona Community by Joe and Cara Steiner; Jim Gutelius and Karen Trivelpiece. (Jim Watts has been rescheduled to March 2007.)

October 15: Report on the Youth Mission Trip of summer 2006.

October 22: Dr. William West, musicologist and cultural historian at LeMoyne University. Music inspired by religious experience.

October 29: Dr. William West, continued.

November 5: Frank Woolever; a former Roman Catholic priest and a counselor at Onondaga Pastoral Counseling, report on civil disobedience at the School of the Americas in fall 2005 and experience in federal prison.

II. Bible Study in Women’s Lounge

9:00 AM. The Sunday morning Bible study group reads and studies scripture. Fred Davey will lead the group in discussion on the Book of Hebrews.

III. A Parents’ Place [Downstairs in Room 5]

9:15 AM. Informal, unstructured conversation; coffee available.

Suggestions for future Adult Forums or topics for Bible study. Please speak with Chairperson Norm Hatt or a member of the committee: Lois Coleman, Shirley DeHority, Dorothy Harrold, Jason Larson, Dick Lang, Jackie Meyer, Carol Reinsmith, Lois Spitzer, Joe Steiner.

Worship & Spiritual Life

Choirs off to a great start

Youth, Children’s and Cherub Choirs begin at 8:50 am Sunday mornings as part of both our Christian education and music ministries. All the choirs will participate in worship services in October, along with the Senior Choir:

Oct. 1 – Youth Handbell Choir; Joyful Sign Choir

Oct. 8 – United Church Adult Handbell Choir

Oct. 15 – Children’s Choir;

Cherub Choir sings at the Gratitude luncheon, Oct. 15

Oct. 29 – Cherub Choir

There’s room for new members to join the choirs and prepare for fall services and Advent and Christmas services coming. Come to a rehearsal or speak with one of the directors or any of the members.

World Communion Sunday

On Sunday, Oct. 1^st, we meet with Christians around the world at the Table of the Lord. Colorful tablecloths from around the world and breads from many cultures will be part of our celebration. At UCF we share the Greeting of Peace in several languages as a sign of our oneness in Christ.

Make World Communion Sunday a tradition for your family!

Expand the circle by inviting a friend!

Word to the children

Connie Caldwell is mentoring those interested in giving the word to the children. Interested? Speak with Connie. There are also opportunities to help out with Children’s Gathering Worship on Sundays at 9:25, speak with Judy Spencer or Alice Hatt.

“Children in the Sanctuary” Video

The Worship & Spiritual Life Committee has viewed this video about children and worship and is now passing it on to the Parent’s Place for their use. We hope to rotate this wonderful resource to other groups in the church for more discussion opportunities. There are six parts: What Is Worship?; Promises Made at Baptism; Opportunities and Challenges When Children Participate in Corporate Worship; Children Participating in Worship; Children Leading in Worship; and Children Planning Worship. If you would like to borrow it to view at home, please contact the church office.

Oct. 15^th - National Children=s Sabbath

“Forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven.”

UCF joins with thousands of other congregations across the nation in the 15^th annual National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths. The weekend unites religious congregations of all faiths in common concern for children and common commitment to improving their lives and working for justice on their behalf. A daily devotional guide will be distributed the week before to help people prepare for Children’s Sabbath.

Weekly Tuesday Midday Prayer 11:30 AM to noon

The UCF sanctuary doors will be open for a time of midday prayer each Tuesday after staff meeting. Rev. Waters will be in the sanctuary for a simple service of midday prayer, including the lighting of a Christ candle of peace, the reading of a Psalm, and prayers. For the time of prayer, each week we will lift up in prayer 10 UCF members (going alphabetically through the church directory), those on the prayer concerns list, various church groups, and our prayers for the world. You are invited to join us for this time together. If you are at work or homebound, we invite you to remember each Tuesday at 11:30 AM those at UCF who are in prayer. Those attending have enjoyed this brief quiet time in the middle of the day when the light comes in the stained glass windows.

All-church Musical “Lost and Found” Nov. 19^th

Of Jesus’ many parables, one of the most enduring favorites is the story of the Prodigal Son. Contained in Luke 15, it is a wonderful reminder of the unfailing, forgiving nature of God’s love for every one of us. “Lost and Found” places the traditional Prodigal Son story within a 40 minute framework of twelve delightful and inspirational songs. Several narrators will guide us on a journey back to Biblical days and introduce us to the three characters in our story played by:

the father – Andy Baxter,

the prodigal son, “John” – Tom Parmenter,

and the older son, “Jeff” – John Price.

The story unfolds along the same lines as the original parable but uses more contemporary language.

Come to the special October UCTalent Co. rehearsals: Monday October 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (school holiday), Sat., Oct. 21 - 2 - 5 pm with pizza following, bring $3) You don’t have to be a member of any choir at church to participate, just enjoy singing and acting. There are chorus and dancing pieces (a ragtime song for dancing pigs, a rock n’ roll song right out of “Grease”) as well as a few narrating and acting roles. Speak to one of the choir directors and sign up for the musical (on stage or back stage)! Full rehearsal schedule posted on the W&SLC bulletin board.

Join our Worship Team!

We need your ideas and responses to worship – visual arts, drama, music, movement, Bible storytelling ideas…. Invest yourself to help make worship at United Church meaningful and vital for you and the whole congregation.

The Worship & Spiritual Life Committee meets the second Tuesday of the month. The September meeting will be Tuesday, October 10^th, 7:00 p.m., Women’s Lounge. For information contact Gail Sandle, Interim Chair, or members Connie Caldwell, John Price, or Lorraine Schmidt, who also meet with staff Kathleen Waters and Alice Hatt.

Alice Dickerson Hatt, Minister of Music & Worship

What’s Up from Down Under

Sharing and Caring by the Young People

Of United Church

See you at these upcoming events !!

Mon. Oct. 2 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Lost and Found” Rehearsal

Sat. Oct. 7 Benefit for Camden Cross

Sun. Oct. 15 Gratitude Luncheon - Stewardship

Sun. Oct. 15 2:00 p.m. Eastside CROPWALK

Sat. Oct. 21 2-5 p.m. “Lost and Found” Rehearsal

Sun. Oct. 29 5-7 p.m. Polar Fleece Scarf Mission and Family Favorite Potluck

Daylight Savings Time ends

Tues. Oct. 31 Trick or Treat for UNICEF

OPENING DAY!!! Lots of kids, lots of energy, and lots of great teaching add up to a exciting start for Sunday School! After their hard work in the choirs and classroom every child received a little gift to remind them that God loves them and a piece of ice cream cake as a sweet reminder of our good friend, Mr. Stu Bruce. Be sure and give a big hello our new Sunday School members - Noelle and Anna Mpinga, Allison and Eliot Turner, Phoebe White, Abby Parmenter, and Savannah and Neona Krabacher. Super !!!

SUNDAY SCHOOL SNAPSHOT !! This fall the “We Believe” curriculum for the Pre-K through 5th graders tells the story of God the Creator – His creation of the world, of people, of leaders and of His covenants with them. Children will explore Old Testament stories in Genesis, Ruth and 1&2 Samuel. Visit http://www.pcusa.org/webelieve/children_fall_06.htm to keep up with lessons your child will be learning. The 6th and 7th grade class will work through a survey course of the Bible as they prepare to become Seekers. This class, led by Connie Caldwell and Janet Press has also decided to knit blanket squares for a mission project, do a special study on altars and explore the Bible’s answers to life questions like "What should I wear to school today?" and "How can I be more popular?"

STEWARDSHIP GRATITUDE LUNCHEON !! An all-church Gratitude Luncheon on Oct. 15th after worship begins our time to reflect on how greatly God has blessed us and how we can share those many blessings. This time is a precious opportunity to show our children how our decisions reflect our values and where we put our faith. In the way we respond to God our children recognize that stewardship is something we do all the time. The luncheon is free and childcare will be provided. Please join us !!

BIBLE ORIENTATION !! Third graders and their families are asked to join Reverend Waters for a fun bible orientation on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 11:45 a.m. in Women’s Lounge. This sneak preview of the bibles they be receiving will be served up with a delicious lunch!

THIRD GRADE BIBLE PRESENTATION !!!! NIV Adventure Bibles will be presented to our third graders in worship on October 29, Reformation Sunday. Receiving the gift of the Word of God is an important step in each child's spiritual journey. Let’s affirm this important step by responding with a commitment to encourage them as they continue that journey.

CROPWALK This mission is a great opportunity for families on Sunday, Oct. 15, 1:30 –4 p.m. Sponsored by Church World Services, it raises money to fight hunger around the world. Pick up a pledge form and get moving !!!

POLAR FLEECE SCARF MISSION-FAMILY FAVORITE POTLUCK !!

Families of Pre-K through 7th will meet at church on Sunday, Oct. 29, 5-7 p.m. to make polar fleece scarves for Samaritan Center clients. No sewing required!! Cards will be made to go with each scarf. After all that snipping, everyone will join with the Seekers and Youth at 6 p.m. for a potluck of family favorites. Materials for this mission are purchased using Children’s Worship offerings. Sign up begins October 9.

TRICK OR TREAT FOR UNICEF! All kids are invited to trick or treat for UNICEF on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Pick up your orange UNICEF collection box at church beginning on Oct. 22. UNICEF provides schooling, clean water, basic health care and much, much more to a world of kids in need! Learn about UNICEF at www.unicefusa.org. Return boxes on Sunday, Nov. 5.

SUPPORT CAMDEN !!! Camden, granddaughter of Gail and Dave Sandle, is in her second year of treatment for leukemia. You are invited to support Camden by attending a benefit for her on Sat., Oct. 7th. There will be food and lots of fun for kids! Look for further details in this newsletter and on the Children’s Ministries bulletin board.

“LOST AND FOUND” Be on the look out for the complete “Lost and Found” rehearsal schedule. This wonderful musical will be presented in worship November 19. It is a tender retelling of the prodigal son story with lots of fun overtones and great music. First rehearsal is on Mon., Oct. 2 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The next rehearsal is on Sat., Oct. 21 from 2-5 p.m. Bring $3.00 for pizza to share after the rehearsal ! You will want to be part of this !!!!!

RUSH TO USHER !! Always wanted to pass the plate? The second Sunday of every month on the usher sign-up sheet has been reserved for Sunday school families. There are only a few openings left to fill. The sign-up sheet for families is on the Children’s Ministries bulletin board next to the church office. This is an important ministry in our church and a great opportunity for kids to learn how to serve! Families can also participate as greeters and liturgists by contacting the church office at 637-3186.

Judy Spencer

Director of Children’s Ministries

SETTIN' SAIL

SEEKERS

ON A JOURNEY OF FAITH

Upcoming Seeker Events:

Sept. 29^th 7 PM: International Peacemaker

Oct. 6^th 6 PM to 9 AM: Lock-In at the Church

Oct. 15^th 1:30 PM: Crop Walk

Oct. 29^th 5 PM to 7:30 PM: Sunday Night Meeting

HOT FOOD & STEAMING WATERS: On Sept. 9^th, several Seekers volunteered at the Samaritan Center feeding the homeless. Later that day, the Seekers and their parents met at the Price/Press home to kick off the year of activities. Parents met to discuss plans for the year while the youth enjoyed the pool and the hot tub. And in case you are curious to know just how many Seekers can fit in a hot tub, I personally witnessed at least twelve.

THE ZEN OF SEEKING: On Sept. 23^rd, we had a great turnout as the Seekers visited the Zen Center and tried their hand at zazen (sitting meditation) for a couple of five minute spells. We also visited the gardens and talked with Zen Buddhist priest Entsu Scott Rosecrans about religion and the practice of Zen. He encouraged us to question everything to the point of exhaustion when questioning itself becomes unnecessary and compassion is realized.