For the past 10 years, Renee Leonard has faithfully served as director of children's ministries at Church of the Saviour. Recently, Renee informed the pastors, staff, Children's Ministries committee, and children's Sunday School class teachers that she will be ending her devoted and exemplary service in that position. God has a new path for her life and she will be leaving the position for new employment. Renee's service during weekdays will end on March 24, but she will continue to serve as director on Sundays through Easter.


Renee's devotion to children's ministries at Church of the Saviour has borne so much fruit. Her tenure has brought exciting new curricula to Sunday School classes, amazing growth to the summer Vacation Bible School program, and the start of the Breathe Respite ministry.


While it will be sad to see her leave the position and, as a congregation, we will miss her faithful service as director; we can't help but be happy when an exciting new path opens for someone that we all love so dearly. I'm excited to see where in this church she will next direct her faithfulness and energy as I'm sure God will show her a new way to serve. Renee and the entire Leonard family are not the type to just sit idly in the pews.


After Easter, we will have an opportunity to properly recognize and honor Renee's faithful service with a reception and a love offering. Over these next weeks, I'm sure that Renee would appreciate your prayers and words of support.


While it will be very hard to fill Renee's shoes, it's SPRC's job to do just that. We will be working with the Children's Ministries committee and Sunday School teachers to find interim leadership to ensure continuity for our children's Sunday School classes and for our amazing Vacation Bible School program. Then, we will work together with those ministry leaders to find a new permanent director. I am sure that God will guide us in those tasks. If you have any questions or thoughts regarding the search process, please feel free to speak with me or SPRC co-chair Daran Kiefer.


Many Church of the Saviour families have grown stronger in faith through Renee's dedication and her caring heart. We are thankful for Renee's years of faithful service and thrilled that she is continuing to answer God's call. May God continue to bless Renee and the Leonard family.


Shane Griest
Co-Chair, Staff Parish Relations Committee




NOT TOO LATE TO ATTEND 2017 NORTH COAST LEADERSHIP ACADEMY TOMORROW


Saturday, March 18 from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Berea UMC is hosting the 2017 North Coast Leadership Academy.  This year the academy will focus on exploring cultural shifts that have significant implications for ministry in the 21st century and taking ministry risks to embrace the future of the Church.  Rev. Beth Ann Estock, co-author of "Weird Church: Welcome to the 21st Century" is the Featured Speaker.  CLICK HERE for more information and to register online.  Registrations will also be taken at the door.


LENTEN READING LIST 


A Lenten Reading List has been prepared and made available on the Genevieve Seese Library's online catalog.  To take advantage of this resource you should click on the "Reading Lists" tab on the library's webpage.  You can access the online catalog by CLICKING HERE or you can find the link on the "Popular Links" tab on the church website, www.chsaviour.org




ECHO SERVICE DAY MARCH 25   


Church of the Saviour's ECHO group is scheduled to volunteer at Saint Philomena on Saturday, March 25 between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.  (It is not necessary to remain the entire time.)  The center at Saint Philomena provides food and clothing for clients in East Cleveland and the surrounding areas.  Please let Mark or Linda Moore know if you are planning to join them so that an accurate volunteer count can be provided to the center managers.  To volunteer or for more information, please contact the Moores at [email protected] or [email protected].


RETREAT FOR 5th & 6th GRADERS 


Created by God is returning to COTS April 21-22 and is open to 5th and 6th graders.  Created by God is a study of human sexuality with a Christian foundation.  It will offer both you and your child an opportunity to learn, grow, and celebrate the fact that we have each been wonderfully created by God, and are called to responsible living as sexual beings.  Optional Parent Info Meeting: Thursday, April 6, 6:30 pm.  Cost is $20 - assistance is available. Click for more info and registration , which ends April 16.


 






MEN'S BREAKFAST 


COTS Men: Please join us for our next quarterly breakfast on Saturday Saturday, April 8 at 7:30 a.m. Rolf Bergman will be our speaker. As always, there will be lots of food and fellowship. The coffee arrives at 7:15 so come early to hang. We end promptly at 9:00 so you can get home to your families. 




 






THE GREAT COTS EASTER EGG HUNT 


On Saturday, April 8, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, the COTS Kids' Club will host our annual Easter egg hunt for the children of our church and community. They will set up two hunts, one for preschoolers and one for elementary-aged kids, on the church's front lawn (or inside in case of rain). Plenty of adults will be on hand as well to keep everyone safe. Then we will head to the Great Hall for refreshments and activities hosted by the Kids' Club. Bring your friends and neighbors-and bring your own baskets! The hunt will begin promptly at 10:00.


Kids' Club needs your help to make this happen! They need donations of plastic eggs filled with individually wrapped candy. Please put them in one of the bins outside the Sanctuary and Great Hall by Sunday, April 2. Thank you!


REV. LIZ NAU SPEAKING APRIL 11   


What better way to honor Holy Week than by learning about the labyrinth, a system of meditation. Rev. Liz Nau, known to many for her spirituality as well as her creativity, will talk about the labyrinth and how it is used at the April 11 United Methodist Women's General Meeting. Rev. Nau's presentation will be in the Parlor at 10 a.m. after which there will be a brief devotional time and a light lunch for $5. The national UMW Lenten Prayer and Self Denial collection will be taken. Please reserve for lunch by contacting the office (216-321-8880) by Sunday, April 9. If child care is needed, please call Debbie Jones at 216-382-5929.


EAST CLEVELAND SERVING DAY   


Save the Date: The next East Cleveland Serving Day will be Saturday, May 13th.  We will be serving in collaboration with the East Cleveland congregation of New Life Cathedral.


VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2017


REGISTRATION NOW OPEN for Vacation Bible School at Church of the Saviour.  VBS will run from Monday, June 19 through Thursday, June 22 from 9:00 a.m. to noon
To register now, CLICK HERE!


 




FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS


This year in celebration of Easter, we will beautify our chancel and Great Hall with a Festival of Flowers.  We have a mix of 100 lilies, 50 azaleas and 50 hydrangeas (the florist will select the color assortment based on availability).  Plant donors may take their plants following the 11 a.m. service on Easter Sunday.  Instead of, or in addition to, ordering flowers, you may participate by contributing to the Hunger Fund in memory of or in honor of a loved one.  The deadline to order is April 2.  CLICK HERE to order now.


 






HOLY WEEK SERVICES


Palm Sunday      April 9
8:30 a.m., Myers Chapel
9:30 a.m., Great Hall
11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Rev. Andy Call
 
Maundy Thursday      April 13
Worship at tables for both services
12 noon, Parlor
7 p.m., Great Hall (Living Last Supper)
Rev. Andy Call
 
Tenebrae Good Friday      April 14
7 p.m., Sanctuary
Rev. Judy Wismar Claycomb
 
Easter Vigil      April 15
7 p.m., Myers Chapel
Rev. Dianne Tobey Covault
 
Easter      April 16
6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service, Church Front Lawn
Rev. Dianne Tobey Covault
 
8:30 a.m., Sanctuary
9:30 a.m., Great Hall
11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Rev. Judy Wismar Claycomb


 




Church of the Saviour | 2537 Lee Road | Cleveland Heights | OH | 44118