CONNECTIONS with the
Manchester Church of the Brethren
November 2011
Joys and Concerns
There are many ways in which our lives are woven together. Honoring those connections is one of the ways we continue to form deeper relationships within community. In a spirit of prayer, please keep these spoken concerns in your hearts and minds in the coming days.
Within our faith community:
We welcome the newest members of our congregation: Aly Beery, Paul & Kathy Fry-Miller, Emery Kintner, Ashleigh Maxcey and Yvonne Dilling. May you feel the love and support of this faith community. We celebrate with Joel & Erika Garber on the birth of their son, James Charles Garber, last Sunday, October 23. Everyone is doing well. James joins his sister, Emma and his brother, Jace. The family that surrounds James from our congregation include: grandparents – Chris & Kathy Garber, uncle - Josh Garber, great-aunt – Julie Garber and great-grandmother – Anne Garber. We pray for those who aren’t able to join us in worship this morning due to their current health limitations including: Margie Petry, Gene Snyder and Louise Miller. Those Deacons we lift in prayer this morning include: Di Wion, Dorotha Williams, Barbara McFadden and Don & Marie Willoughby. In the wider community we pray for:
Our sister church in El Salvador, Emanuel Baptist. We pray for Oscar Rodriquez as he evaluates Emanuel’s country wide programs so that resources can be best used and distributed. We pray for peace. Weekly Calendar
The Family Life Center is open from 8 to 10 am for walking and exercise.
Monday, October 31
7:00 pm Messenger Bible Study at Timbercrest
Tuesday, November 1
10:30 am Staff Meeting
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool/FLC
2:00 pm Nurture Commission
5:00 pm Weight Watchers – Room 220
5:00 pm Yoga
6:30 pm Worship Center/Décor Committee
7:30 pm Volleyball
Wednesday, November 2
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool/FLC
6:30 pm Education Commission
7:00 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm Youth Musical Rehearsal
Thursday, November 3
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool/FLC
5:00 pm Yoga
7:30 pm Men’s Choir Rehearsal
Friday, November 4 – Office Closed
Walkers please use West FLC door
9:30 am Peace Patch Preschool/FLC
9:30 am CWU World Community Day
5:30 pm Parents’ Night Out
8 pm Indoor Soccer
Saturday, November 5
1:00 pm Youth Musical Rehearsal
Fall Back for Daylight Saving Time!
Remember to set your clocks back one hour!
Sunday, November 6 Stewardship Emphasis
9:30 am Worship. Can I borrow some of that?.
Pastor Kurt Text: Matthew 25: 1-13. Men’s Choir
10:30 am Fellowship Time, Blood Pressure Check
10:45 am Christian Education. Peace Patch
12:00 pm Mentor Potluck
1:30 pm Youth Musical Rehearsal
5:00 pm Senior High Youth at Chinworths’
5:00 pm College Student Meal
7:00 pm Room 213 in use
Address Correction:
Yvonne Dilling’s correct zip code is 46582
Randy & Karen Sare, 1308 Clear Creek, North Manchester (417) 254-4505
DJ Brown, PO Box 491,Telluride, CO 81435
Pastor On-Call Schedule for November
Nov. 6 – Pastor Kurt, 982-4233, cell 901-1851
Nov. 13 – Pastor Karen, 982-8420, cell 578-1247
Nov. 20 – Pastor Kurt
Nov. 27 – Pastor Karen
November Worship Themes
November 6, Stewardship Emphasis: Can I borrow some of that? Pastor Kurt Text: Matthew 25: 1-13. Men’s Choir
November 13, Commitment Sunday: It’s under my mattress. Pastor Kurt. Matthew 25: 14-30. Ecclesia Choir
November 20, Thanksgiving Sunday: Sheep, goat or turkey? Pastor Kurt. Matthew 25: 31-46. Ecclesia Choir. 7 pm Community Thanksgiving Service at Peabody Chapel
November 27, First Sunday of Advent: Restore us.Pastor Kurt. Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19. Taizé Choir
Fellowship Hosts:
We are grateful to the Questers Class for hosting the Fellowship Time between Worship and Sunday School for the month of November.
Fellowship Meals
Due to the Holiday Schedules, there will be NO Fellowship Meals in November or December. In January, Fellowship Commission will enjoy serving their traditional Chili Supper. Stay tuned for details!
Council Meeting Report
By Richard Harshbarger, Moderator
The fall Council Meeting was held on Sunday, October 16, at 3:00 p.m. The following items were discussed.
The Agenda and Council Meeting minutes for March 6, 2011 were approved.
Kurt Borgmann gave a report on District Conference. The tone of the Conference was more amiable. The District budget was approved in a reduced amount. The Manchester Church shares a more than proportional share of the District Budget.
The Treasurer’s Report showed a bank balance of $213,072. The mortgage was paid off on March 17, 2010. Projected contributions for 2011 are $567,000 as of today compared with the 2011 budget of $593,490.
Anne Myers, Executive Board Chair, presented the 2012 budget. The 2012 budget of $618,323 was approved.
In staff reports, Kathy Leckrone reported on the expanded playground with new playground equipment.
Laura Gable described the children’s programming, the Children’s Christmas Program, and the increase in rental fees for building use.
Karen Eberly described her on-going activities including the extra duties during Kurt’s sabbatical.
Jim Chinworth described his work with the Senior High Youth and the Junior High Youth.
Kurt Borgmann summarized his pre-sabbatical, sabbatical, and post-sabbatical activities.
The following positions were filled by election: David McFadden, Executive Board Chair; Jeanette Lahman, Fellowship Chair; Joy Stiffler, Nurture Chair; Ernie Barr and Kathy Garber, Nominating Committee. Rachel Gross, Kate Eisenbise, and Mary Lutz were elected to a two-year term as District Conference Delegates. Bud Tully and Marie Willoughby were elected to a one-year term as Annual Conference delegates.
The following persons were approved as deacons: Ernie Barr, Christine Beery, Darlene Bucher, Deb Manges, Jennifer Reichenbach, Jo Ann Schall, Becky Unger, and David Waas.
The minutes and approved 2012 budget may be seen in the church office.
Stewardship Commitment
You should have received a letter and a pledge card in the mail last week from the Stewardship Education Committee. If you did not receive the letter, please call the church office (982-7523) and request that one be sent to you. If you are not able to present your pledge during worship on Commitment Sunday (November 13) feel free to return it to the church office or place it in the offering plate on another Sunday. Thank You.
October 2011 Brethren Community TV DVD
Our own David Sollenberger is featured on the October 2011 Brethren Community TV DVD which is available from the church library for use in classes or by other groups.
For over 25 years, David has been the man behind the camera in video productions produced for the Church of the Brethren. The October edition of
"Brethren Voices" captures David and places him in front of the camera to share his thoughts about video production and provides a look at some of his creations. A native of Annville, PA, he began working in radio and television news in Harrisburg the day after graduation from Manchester in 1975
David's first video production for the Church of the Brethren was filmed in 1985 for Brethren Volunteer Service. At that time he was working as a TV news reporter in Harrisburg, PA for Pittsburgh's KDKA-TV and Philadelphia's KYW-TV. He explains that his work as a news reporter often focused on crime and politics and he yearned to share more in-depth stories of people, agencies and ministries that were making the world a better place. He has been able to do just that in his video productions for the church. Each year he produces the Annual Conference wrap-up as well as videos for a wide range other church events.
The video that is now available is 28 minutes long and can be checked out from the church library.
Adult Christian Education
Questers meets in the Chapel.
November 6, Harold Statler will present a study of Martin Grove Brumbaugh, Churchman
November 13, David Waas will begin a book study, Founding Faith, by Steven Waldman, which examins how our Founding Fathers forged a radical new approach to religious liberty.
Koinonia Class meets in the Conference Room.
Friends Class meets in Room 211
All Things Considered Class meets in Room 220
Jubilee Class meets in Room 301
Yoga Continues
Yoga is on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Narthex from 5pm to 6pm. For more information please contact Heather Mitchell at (214) 502-8035 or heather.Mitchell30@gmail.com
FOOD – FUN – FRIENDS!
The next Food-Fun-Friends is coming up on Wednesday, November 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. We hope you’ll join us!
Please contact Kim Reinoehl (982-1461 or kjreinoehl@manchester.edu) or fill out the November 6 bulletin RSVP to make your meal reservation. Pizza requests are welcome!
CONNECTIONS with our Community:
Fellowship of Churches:
REACH assisted 18 clients: 13 of those with utility bills. The Government’s Energy Assistance Program has limited funds this year and won’t begin processing applications until November 1. While “Thursday’s Child” made a gift to REACH this month, it is expected that needs will continue to exceed the available funding.
THE THRIFT SHOP needs jackets and coats for kids. They logged 404 volunteer hours last month.
THE FOOD PANTRY will assemble boxes for needy families again this year. Volunteers are needed to assist Jodi Barrett in that process.
THURSDAY’S CHILD served 35 clients and has had people asking to volunteer. There will be more discussion on how they can expand services.
The Community Thanksgiving Service will be at Peabody Chapel on November 20 at 7:00 p.m. Worship Participants will be announced later.
ANGEL TREE applications have been distributed around the community. They are available in our church office as well. Look for tags on our Narthex Christmas Tree again this year if you wish to participate in helping make Christmas more joyous for a needy family.
Living our Faith, Unlocking Action
World Community Day will be Friday, November 4, in our building. Registration is at 8:45 am and the celebration begins at 9. Since the founding of Church Women United (December 11-13, 1941) conscious efforts have been made to bring forward issues of justice. The celebration on November 4 will suggest past, present and future possibilities - thus the theme; Living our Faith, Unlocking Action.
Soles 4 Souls is an added action for this service. Soles 4 Souls is in response to the need of shoes around the world. If you have shoes laying idle in your closets, you may bring them November 4. Please fasten shoes together with a rubber-band. Shoes have been distributed in over 127 countries.
Since this is Church Women United’s 70th Anniversary, refreshments will be served following the service. Please join us for this special Would Community Day and 70th Anniversary Celebration. Dorothy Weldy for CWU
CONNECTIONS with our District …
… and our Denomination:
Heifer Living Gift Market
Saturday, November 12
10 am to 3 pm
Timbercrest Assembly Room
Denominational Newsletter
Newsline is produced by the news services of the Church of the Brethren. To subscribe, simply contact the editor at: cobnews@brethren.org
South/Central Indiana District
Phone: 260-982-8805; Fax: 260-982-7181
District Minister: bsollenberger@brethren.org
Office Email: scicob@kcaccess.com
District Website: www.scindcob.org
Bethany Prayer Calendar
Please pray for our faculty and staff, who daily share their skills and knowledge to support Bethany’s mission.
Denominational Prayer Calendar
Week of November 6: As you pray this week, lift up our young people, praying for daily and hectic lives and that you may be their companion in the life of your congregation. Pray that their vision for what church can be may infuse your community.
Week of November 13: Rather than giving a percentage of our income, why not give from our abundance? This week prayerfully covenant with a small group to give on a percentage of your weekly food budget and offer the surplus to the ministries of the church.
Week of November 20: In each of the Gospel storie in which Jesus fed a multitude it is said that he lifted the simply food and gave thanks. Acts of thanksgiving to God are central elements of the church. This week as we take time with family, prayerfully ask what it looks like to give thanks beyond just a Thursday in November.
Week of November 27: As you decorate your home and meeting house, take time to hear the words of John the Baptist: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” Pray that this season of waiting and hope might offer opportunities for your community of faith to reveal Christ to those around you.
Regional Youth Conference
Powerhouse 2011
November 12-13 at Manchester College
ALERT:
Detailed information about disaster relief projects is available in the church office, as well as the District Office. Call Cliff Kindy, District Disaster Coordinator, for up-dates: phone:260-982-2971
Caramel Apple Cookies
compliments of Ecclesia Choir
shared by Joy Stiffler
· 1 cup butter softened
· 1 cup packed light brown sugar
· 1/2 cup sugar
· 2 eggs
· 3 tablespoons apple cider
· 1 1/2 cup flour
· 1 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
· 1/2 tsp. baking soda
· 1tsp. salt
· 1 cup packed dried apple rings
· 30 caramel candies
Preheat your oven to 350 F
First things first - you need to unwrap the caramels, because no one likes eating plastic.
Next, you need to quarter all of the caramels – cut each one into four pieces
Once you're done with those, take your dried apple rings. It's important not to get the ones with cinnamon on them. To measure, take a 1 cup dry measure, and cram as many apple rings as you can fit in there. Then, chop them up into little chunks.
Now that the prep work is done, get out a mixing bowl. In it, you should toss your butter, and both sugars. Cream these until smooth.
Next, add your eggs one at a time, and beat until smooth. After your eggs, add the cider. And yes, you read correctly, that is three tablespoons of cider.
Next, mix your dry ingredients together - the flour, oats, salt, and baking soda.
Gradually add them to your (fairly wet) dough, mixing well.
Finally, add your caramel bits and apple chunks, and blend until uniformly distributed through the dough. Drop the dough by the rounded tablespoon onto a non-stick cookie sheet. If you don't have a non-stick cookie sheet, line one of your others with foil and grease it. Leave at least an inch between dough balls. Bake at 350 F for fifteen minutes, or until the edges just start to brown.
As they cook they do spread out - and the caramel does melt, which is why the non-stick properties of the cookie sheet are important. Cool the cookies on the sheet for five minutes. After this, transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. And finally, enjoy! The chewy caramel apple cookies go great with a glass of cider or milk. This recipe makes approximately 2.5 dozen cookies. They lasted approximately 4.5 minutes at our house!
