June
21
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The Disciples Voice Newsletter for June 21, 2017
Click here to find the PDF shorter version of this newsletter.
Members Corner
Lord, at the moment nothing seems to be able to help the loss I feel.
My heart is broken and my spirit mourns.
All I know is that Your grace is sufficient.
This day, this hour
Moment by moment
I choose to lean on You,
For when I am at my weakest Your strength is strongest.
I pour out my grief to You
And praise You that on one glorious day
When all suffering is extinguished and love has conquered
We shall walk together again.
When someone we love passes away,
We ache, but we go on;
Our dear departed would want us to heal,
After they are gone.
Grief is a normal way to mend
The anguish and pain in our hearts;
We need time to remember and time to mourn,
Before the recovery starts.
Let’s draw together to recuperate,
As we go through this period of sorrow;
Let’s help each other, with tender care
To find a brighter tomorrow.
When We Say Troy Was “Hooded” …
Hooding ceremonies are carried out by programs within larger schools to recognize graduates in a more personal way than is permitted at the university’s commencement. Each graduate kneels as
their professor places a “hood” over their head, signifying their scholarly and professional achievement. Troy’s hood colors are scarlet for ministry and blue and gold for the colors of Fuller. The mortarboard is a descendant of the square bonnets and skull caps from medieval times; the robe with three chevrons on the sleeves denotes doctoral degrees, and the gown is a modification of monastic robes worn by teachers in the Middle Ages.
Troy Sybrant at the kneeling bench, about to be “hooded” by his professor, Dr. Mark Lau Branson.
On May 12, 2009 I submitted a paper to apply to the Missional Leadership program of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. That submission wouldn’t have happened without conversations prior to that with a Disciple M.Div. student at Fuller named Pete Morgan who interned at Pasadena Christian Church. The conversation Pete and I had wouldn’t have happened without a prior conversation with another Disciple colleague named Rev. Greg Turk, who years prior to that recommended a book on transforming churches. My wife encouraged me to apply to Fuller as I’d had an interest in this topic for many years.
On September 8, 2009 I began as senior pastor here. In June 2010 a Vision Team forms to help us discover where God is calling us next. In November the Board votes to become a “congregation in transformation” joining regional and national efforts. In July 2011 our congregation engages a Church360 survey to discover our readiness for fresh engagements in our community, and in April 2012 we hold Listening Groups to reflect congregationally upon that survey. In July our Board reaffirms that “connecting with our community” is a top priority for us to move into the future. In October a timeline of twenty-six panels tells our “congregation in community” story from 1985 onwards.
In 2013 we interview community members to know this community better, and join the Faith Alliance to collectively address suburban poverty. In July 2014 the leadership plants seeds for future congregational change, and in October we begin transforming our front walls into a mural of our congregation’s story within God’s larger story. Through sermon series in 2014 and 2015 the groundwork is laid for the congregation to address questions of vision, mission, core values, and identity. In April 2015 a group of 24 members begin Open Table Conversations to engage questions of God’s agency in our locale, what God wants to do among us, and how we join in God’s work already underway in our community. In January 2016 after substantive conversations the congregation votes to change the provisional name to Compass Christian Church.
On June 9, 2017, I was “hooded” as part of my graduation from Fuller, and on June 10 I walked across a stage and received a Doctor of Ministry diploma. The degree was a collaborative effort. The constant support of my wife and daughter was invaluable. In addition, the participation, support, prayers, and encouragement of Compass Christian Church since 2009 made this possible.
Together we have learned, grown, and achieved a milestone congregationally and personally. Thank you. – Troy
Baptism
On June 4,
Pentecost Sunday, Camryn B. was baptized into our church. Grandmother Rev. Carol Oetzel, co-presided with Pastor Troy Sybrant for the occasion.
Youth Corner
Vacation Bible School July 11-14
9:00 am – 11:30 am
Youth Mission Trip : July 23-29
Check out trinityuccwooster.blogspot.com
Mark Your Calendars – Community Outreach and Celebrations
JUNE
25 Doctoral Celebration for Troy & Family
JULY
2 Farewell Reception for Romain Family
We are sure going to miss these smiling faces, forever friends.
4 Office Closed
6 Pastor @ Panera, Noon-1:00 pm
11 – 14 Vacation Bible School, 9:00-11:30 am
15 Church Cook-Out
22 Over-the-Rhine Soup Kitchen, 9:00 am
SOUP KITCHEN
NEEDS VOLUNTEERS w/ STRONG ARMS & BACKS!
First, we need volunteers for June 24. Debi and I & 3 others will be there, but some of our regulars are going to be out of town. We need a full contingent of at least 10 people, so right now we need another five.
Second, it would be really helpful if some younger men got involved. Some activities, like lifting and pouring boiling water from large pots, or lifting and placing heavy water & coffee pots, require upper body strength for safety reasons. Last month’s volunteers were Norm M. (on a crutch), Jerry W. and I, along with Norm’s son and several ladies. Norm’s son got to do most of the tasks that required lifting while the rest of us combined efforts on some tasks.
Along that same line, I need help with OTR Soup Kitchen shopping. For those who don’t know, I took over the shopping from Marlene P. after her shoulder surgery (actually shortly before that). I usually get most things at Sam’s Club using my membership. I get the bread from Walmart and the frozen peas from GFS. Carrying ten cans of green beans (large commercial size), 30+ pounds of chicken and everything else wears me out. Plus, after my back surgeries, I should not be lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk and much of this fits in that category. I still want to participate, but could really use help from someone with a sturdier back and younger muscles.
I would like to encourage younger men in the CCC congregation to come on down to Over-the-Rhine and help keep the Soup Kitchen a viable ministry for our church. Thanks ~ Kurt Freimuth
21 York/Hill Wedding Rehearsal, 6:30 pm
22 York/Hill Wedding, 6:30 pm
Members & Friends of Compass Christian Church are invited to attend the wedding of
Angel Mae York and
Joshua Justin Hill
at the church on Saturday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m.
23-30 Back Pack Collection
The Faith Alliance 2016 Help a Child in Need Succeed Backpack Ministry supporting Reach out Lakota’s Back to School Program was an outstanding success! Ten Faith Alliance church partners collaborated to support low-income children registered for help at Reach Out Lakota.
The results were truly amazing:
- 520 children sponsored with school supplies for the year, (More than 100% of the 478 who registered!)
- 300 + Backpacks
- $1300 + more coming in!
- Many boxes of miscellaneous supplies
For the first time, our organized Faith Alliance response took care of 100% of those requesting help in our community! Praise God!
27 Cincinnati Civic Orchestra Summer Pops Concert, 7:00 pm
AUGUST
7-9 Gettysburg Summer Lunch Program
Update from Laura Dailey
Short Summer Lunch Program @ Gettysburg & late summer Food Drive!
Last year I told you about the governmental, school and church/community partnerships involved with feeding children whose families are of limited means. You may remember that Reach Out Lakota received a federal grant to convert a school bus to a food-serving vehicle. The food is not made on the bus, but served from the bus; the children take the food off the bus and eat it on-site.
This year, CCC has three days to help out at the summer lunch program at our site, Gettysburg Estates (the mobile home park on Route 42), August 7, 8 and 9. Because of the grants, we no longer make the food and take it to the children. Instead we are more-or-less supervisors, helpers, teachers, and encouragers to these children!
We need at least 2 volunteers each day from 11:15 to 12:15 (longer if you want to hang out!) to help the children line up, get on the school bus to receive their food, eat and clean up. Lunches for volunteers & adults may or may not be available at your site, so please check with your coordinator. After lunch, volunteers provide an activity, learning, connection or support for the kids.
Here are some guidelines from The Faith Alliance:
➢Find a younger child to help get his/her meal. Younger ones often need help getting or opening their meal.
➢Provide an organized activity. Feel free to bring an organized activity with you for after lunch. It is entirely up to you. This could mean reading to students, playing basketball, arranging for a fire truck to visit, making a craft or simply having a discussion. You may wonder if it is ok to have a spiritual conversation. Absolutely. Faith Alliance is based on Faith. After the students eat, feel free to offer VBS or other faith-based crafts or activities.
➢ Be a good listener. A child may need a friend to talk to. Many parents will be at work through the day so kids may be lonely. Pick a child to talk to; make a friend.
➢ Clean up. We need help making sure the area is as clean as when we arrived. Helping get that done would be tremendous.
There will be no summer lunch program for a week and a half before school starts, so we are looking into providing food boxes to fill in the gap for these families. More details to follow; please let me know if you would like to help with this! Contact Laura Dailey at 513-226-3609 or swoodzie@gmail.com
Please remember that you are welcome to go to any of the summer food sites and volunteer on other days. To sign up see The Faith Alliance website.
29 Stepping Forward Dinner
A Retreat for Healing in the Region of Ohio
Retreat Leader Rev. Dr. Richard L. Hamm (Former General Minister & President)
Saturday September 16, 2017 10am – 3pm at Camp Christian*
The Spiritual Life Ministry of the Christian Church in Ohio is sponsoring this FREE event during this time of transition in our Region. Please RSVP online at
www.ccinoh.org or by mail with the form section in brochures. There will be a free will offering to offset the cost of the lunch to be provided.
We encourage all Ohio Disciples, both clergy and laity, to make plans to attend so that we may come together to seek healing and unity in the midst of this time of painful transition as we move toward wholeness.
*Camp Christian, 10335 Maple Dell Rd., Marysville, OH 43040
Dr. Hamm served as a congregational pastor for 23 years, as Regional Minister of Tennessee, and as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada from 1993-2003. He was the first Executive Director of Christian Churches Together in the USA, a new national ecumenical organization. Dick is a former member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches and a former Vice President of the National Council of Churches in the U.S.A. He is the author of three books, the most recent being Recreating The Church: Leadership For The Post-Modern Age (Chalice, 2007). Now retired, he teaches at Christian Theological Seminary and is a Trustee; is chair of the National City Christian Church Foundation Board in Washington D.C.; a member of the board of the Center For Congregations of Indianapolis; an elder of Central Christian Church, Indianapolis. He has twice been recognized for mediating settlements in school districts and thus averting teachers’ strikes. He has written and spoken extensively on the subject of church renewal and transformation and has consulted with congregations, middle judicatories, denominational agencies and other church organizations.
Ministry at CCC
F.A.T.H.E.R.S.God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad By Unknown Author
2017-2018 Elected Officers
OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL BOARD
- Moderator: Michelle McKay
- Moderator-Elect: Alice Woodward
- Secretary: Mike Lyons
- Treasurer: Pam Hacker
- Vice Treasurer: Steve Seitz
- Financial Secretary: Rich Engle
- Vice Financial Secretary: OPEN
GENERAL BOARD MEMBERS-AT-LARGE (2-Yr)
- Ed Vennerholm 2019
- Mary Jane Good 2018
- Don Phillips 2017
TRUSTEES (3-Yr)
- Richard Roberson, Chair 2019
- Bob Phillips 2020
- OPEN
MISSION LEADERSHIP TEAM (1 Yr)
- Worship: Sally Engle
- Infrastructure/Building/Social Media: OPEN
- Media: Steve Seitz
- Reach Out: OPEN
- Health: OPEN
- Stewardship: Bob Phillips
- Youth Ed: Carole Yarborough
- Adult Ed: Steve Simmons
- Fellowship: Sue Tarbox
- Awakenings Coordinator: Maureen Mattern
- Greetings Coordinator: Janell Vennerholm
PERSONNEL (3 Yr)
- Scott Frazier, Chair 2018
- Steve Simmons 2018
- Ruth Phillips 2018
- Dave Diehl 2020
NON-VOTING POSITIONS (1 Yr)
- Church Historian: OPEN
- Public Relations: Mairi Huizinga
- Safe Sanc Coord: Sally Engle
- VBS Coordinator: Katie Baird
- Live Nativity Coordinator: Sarah Ferguson
- Children’s Choir: Deborah Thompson
- Soup Kitchen Coordinator: Kurt Freimuth
- Asst. Fin. Sec.: Diane Andow
- Asst. Fin. Sec.: Missy Frazier
- Asst. Fin. Sec.: Jane Herrington
ELDERS (2 Yr)
- Zach Baird, Co-Chair 2018
- Steve Seitz, Co-Chair 2018
- Daun Seitz 2018
- Mary Jane Good 2018
- David Broz 2018
- Debora Ahmed 2018
- Laura Dailey 2019
- Ed Vennerholm
- (Chaplain)
- Jane Herrington
- (Chaplain)
- OPEN
- OPEN
DEACONS (2 Yr)
- Diane Kobos, Co-Chair 2018
- Rhonda Godbey, Co-Chair 2018
- Andrew Lyons 2018
- Sarah Lyons 2018
- Annmarie Lyons 2018
- Bev McKinney 2018
- Debi Freimuth 2018
- Jamie Broz 2018
- Joe Weber 2018
- Letha Hendrickson 2018
- Linda Bernett 2018
- Lora Broz 2018
- Norm Miller 2018
- Scott Ferguson 2018
- Scott White 2018
- Steve Simmons 2018
- Tom Ray 2018
- Abbey Sybrant 2019
- Kelly Nolte 2019
- Kurt Freimuth 2019
- Sue Tarbox 2019
- Kay Young 2019
- Sarah Andress 2019
- Rich Engle 2019
- Missy Frazier 2019
- Jennifer Harris 2019
- Michael Harris 2019
Other News:
REGIONAL WEB SITES
You can learn more about each regional ministry by visiting their web site:
