TABLE OF CONTENTS (scroll to see it all) (click on to JUMP TO) From Our I-Pastor _________________ |
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If you would like to see a recent Presbyterian Church service come to The Knolls on Tuesday, April 14 and Tuesday April 28. The service will be shown in the Assisted Living dining room at 10:00 A.M. and anyone wishing to join us is welcome!
Becky Quay
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Deadline for the May 2015
newsletter is
April 20
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From Our Interim Pastor
Can Our Church Live and Grow?
Rev. Hart Edmonds
At a recent meeting of the Session, we engaged in a conversation you might call: "Understanding Your Congregation's Life Cycle." Similar to individuals, congregations experience a life cycle with these stages:
1. Birth of a New Church- In this stage, churches are driven by vision, with a strong emphasis on growing the fellowship through outreach and evangelism. The founding generation has passion and excitement about this new venture. The church may not be financially stable, but a sense of call to reach out with the good news of Jesus Christ provides a sense of urgency and energy. The founding stories of the church in the Book of Acts in the New Testament are an example.
2. Solvent, Healthy Church -In this growth stage, churches are driven by increased worship attendance, program development and staffing. There is a strong sense of mission, purpose, and vision. The churches best days seem to be ahead.
3. Decline- In this stage churches focus primarily on maintaining the institution, relationships, property, programs, and management. These churches are successful in many areas but are often lacking in a clear focus; much remains status quo. Often in the interim period of ministry, I hear people saying, "How can we recover what we once had?" or perhaps, "What do we need to do to renew ourselves?" These questions return us to the church's founding days and its birth. In a sense,there is a yearning to return to the church's days as a "birthing center" of new life for all.
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APRIL WORSHIP SCHEDULE
- April 2 Maundy Thursday Worship & Agape Meal The Knolls at 5:30 pm for a simple meal. Worship at 6:15 pm (Auditorium)
- April 3 Good Friday Noon to 1pm Sanctuary Guided meditation/Prayers Music by Lynn Jacobs, organist
- April 5 Easter Sunday 8:30 am Early Service Communion & Choir Music 10:00 am Second Service
- April 12 Welcome New Associate Interim Pastor Rev. Cheryl Edmonds After Worship Light Luncheon
- April 19 Heritage Sunday with Bag-pipes & Scottish Dancer A message from the 19th century pastor Rev. Henry Little
- April 26 Good Shepherd Sunday Text: John 10: 11-18
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REFLECTIONS Dan Anderson-Little
(This article continues a series by Rev. Dan Anderson-Little who visited OPC in the fall of 2014 to share inspiring stories about his ancestor, Rev. Henry Little, who served OPC in the 1830s.)
Through many dangers, toils, and snares...
Over the past decade a lot of business and church consultants have encouraged us individually and collectively to "fail forward." So many of us find this advice to be counter-intuitive-why would we ever want to fail? Daily we try to protect ourselves from failure by purchasing insurance and protection plans and warranties. In our vocational and personal lives we also protect ourselves by avoiding risks and playing it safe. This is simply human nature. We don't like conflict. We would rather not try new things if we aren't convinced they will work. Heck, we even call our worship center a "sanctuary" which gives us the illusion that in church we are protected and safe from failure and difficulties.
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A TRIBUTE TO JANE BAER
Jane Baer is the longest continuing member of the OPC chancel choir. Although slowed by the vagaries of age, she is hoping to get back into the second soprano section this spring.
Jane was born when Calvin Coolidge was president of the United States, Raymond Hughes was president of Miami, and the Rev. Rudolph Riemannn was pastor of the Presbyterian Church. Jane's grandfather, a preacher, moved into 131 East Spring Street in 1906, where Jane and nephew, John, still reside (the house was built in 1821). Her parents, Paul and Elsa Baer, with Jane and siblings Carlos and Betty to provide for, operated the White Cross Dairy on this site where Jane still lives. White Cross Dairy introduced pasteurized milk to their customers, sold Polar Bear Ice Cream and was in business until it burned in the 1940's. At that time Oxford was actually the Square Mile - Jane remembers the countryside right up to the boundary streets.
Jane attended the "old McGuffey School" and then went on to Miami where she studied history, graduating in 1946. She sang with the Madrigal Singers, an all women's group, took voice lessons during her junior/senior years at Miami and continued studying
after graduation. As these were the war years the student population of about 3000 students were mostly women. Social life on campus revolved around various college clubs and the occasional dance - although with so few men, dances were few and far between. Sororities held their rush parties (Jane was, and is, a Delta Zeta) in the fraternity houses as they were not being used by the men. Before the war broke out Jane remembers the Campus Owls playing for many campus parties. The "No Car Rule" was in effect - hard to imagine in this day and age!
Her first job was with Cincinnati Bell, but that did not last long. Jane thought things could be done in a more efficient manner, and the hierarchy did not agree - so she left! At the suggestion of THE (Jane's emphasis) Miss Marie Marshall our graduate took a position in the admissions office at Miami, which she held from February 1, 1947 until her retirement on February 1, 1991.
Members of the Baer family were active in the life of the Presbyterian Church. The Light Bearers was a children's group enjoyed by the youth of the church. As the years went by Jane participated in Women's Circles - this was the era when women put on meals for various groups in town, the church bazaar, as soloist and member of the soprano section of the chancel choir, and served as an elder. A highlight for her Circle is the annual January meeting in her home, where three Christmas trees are bedecked with Baer family decorations collected over the years.
Retirement has been good - it has given her time to volunteer at McCullough Hyde Hospital, Oxford Senior Citizens, attend her beloved Cincinnati Symphony concerts and continue actively in the Oxford Music Club.
Jane is still leading a full, if perhaps, more limited life. She is a joy to visit and we are hoping she will be back using her voice to the Glory of God this spring.
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UPDATE FROM THE INTERIM TRANSTION TEAM
The team is hard at work! Direct any questions to any member:
Carol Burkhalter, Pat Gifford, Mary Jo McFadden, Diane Young, Janet Ziegler
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Answer to the Question of the Month. False. Easter is a moveable feast. It can be as early as March 22. The latest date it can be is April 25. Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on, or after March 21
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Church Education News
Church School
Easter Sunday April 5
- 8:30 Nursery Care Provided in the First Floor Nursery
- 10:00 Nursery and Preschool Class Available on the First Floor in the Preschool Area
Activity Bags and Action Bibles available in the Narthex for use in the sanctuary by children in grades kindergarten and above. There will be no classes for those grades April 12, 19, 26
Children will worship in the sanctuary and be released for classes following the Children's Story at approximately 10:20 a.m. Classes will be held in the following locations:
- Nursery- First Floor Nursery
- Preschool- First Floor in the Nursery School Area
- K-1-Second Floor K-1 Room
- Grades 2-5- Second, Floor Art Room
- Middle School-Second Floor, Geneva Room
- High School- Second Floor, AV Room
Meeting for Youth and Parents regarding the High School Mission Trip to Atlanta will be Sunday April 26th following worship services.
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CARES, CONCERNS, JOYS AND THANK YOUs
IN OUR PRAYERS:
Keep these friends in your prayers
Darrell Cross, Robbie Wells, John Reller, Stacey Winn, Betty Barnhart, Evelyn Black, Denny Carlson, Cathy Fey, Marilyn Rettig, Sarah Soika
Lord in Your Mercy, Hear Our Prayers
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THANKS
Thank you to all the small group conveners and leaders of the 40 Days of Fruitful Living Lenten study groups
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DEACONS
The Lenten Food Drive bags collected weighed 546 pounds!! Folks also gave 625.00 in monetary contributions so far.
(anyone know how much 625 dollars weigh?-Ed.)
(and what a GREAT idea to put the list of items needed on the bags!)
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Kroger Plus Program
Our church receives a donation from Kroger's for your  purchases and there's NO cost to you!
Approximately four years ago, the Kroger Company changed their program for giving donations to organizations through the Kroger Plus Card (the card you use when you shop to get discounts). A lot of our members have not been involved in this simple mission effort the past four years. For example, in 2006, 214 members had their Kroger Plus card registered in the donation program for our Deacons. Currently, there are only 71 members involved in this program. What happened to the other 133 members? A few have moved or passed away, but the majority have just "not" taken the time to let the Deacons sign them up or to sign up for themselves.
The Deacons would like to thank all of you who have signed up for this simple program to support mission each year. Starting each April, Kroger's requires that you go into your Kroger Plus account and once again identify which non-profit you would like to support. If you would prefer to not be bothered by this annual sign up, the Deacon's have created an easy option for our members to participate, and not be required to process their own sign-up each year. The Deacon's will do this for you.
If you see your name listed below it means that the Deacon's will update your Kroger Plus account and we will automatically renew the request to support the Oxford Presbyterian Church each year. So you are all set!
Bachmann, Mary; Baer, Jane; Baird, Jay; Berry, Pris; Butcher, Margaret; Butterfield, Jean; Curry, Marilyn; Everhart, Constance; Fisher, Judy; Foltz, Paula; Foltz, Joe; Griffing, Louise; Hardy, Ann; Genee Hesse; Imhoff, Ann; Kelly, Jane; Leflar, Marjory; Maxfield, Susan; McFadden, Mary Jo; McLaren, Adele; Mehl, Rachel; Nelson, Richard; Niehoff, Mary; Preston, Virginia; Reinhart, Betty; Reinhart, Jan; Russell, Joy; Sayers, Debra; Schlabach, Robert; Skipper, Charles; Staberg, Virginia; Suit, Vi; Thomas, Dolly; Trump, John; Vaughn, Jack; Watson, Charles; Wilson, Ken; Wilson, Sue; Witmeer, Margaret; Woodruff, Jean
If your name is not listed above, and you would like to be included in this easy mission effort, we will add you to this list. Simply provide us with your name, Kroger Plus number and your address. Give this information to Elaine in the Church office. Where is your Kroger Plus number? Turn your card to the back and locate the bar code. Below this is a set of numbers starting with the number 41; Your Kroger plus number consists of twelve numbers starting with 41.
These funds are used to help support the Oxford Food Pantry and to help those in need that live in our community. We need your help. Each month, the Deacons shop for groceries for the Oxford Food Pantry. This is a wonderful LOCAL mission effort to help those in need. Please support us by signing up today.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
If you plan to ReREGISTER, or open a new REGISTRATION with your Kroger Plus card, it's easy to do, just follow these instructions (but remember you have to do this each April and the Deacon's are happy to do it for you instead):
1. Sign on (or create) your Kroger account at: www.kroger.com Choose Sign In. You will need to enter your e-mail and password that you used last year.
2) Locate your name in the upper right and click on your name; you should then see Account Summary at the upper left part of the screen.
3. Below the my Account web page you should see several choices, click on Account Settings.
4. Locate "Community Rewards" from the bottom of the " Account Summary" web page, and click on Edit
5. You will then be asked to find your organization. You will notice a blank box just to the left of the link: SEARCH. In the blank box type: 80717; then click on SEARCH
6. It should display: Oxford Presbyterian Church. Click on the open circle and it should become highlighted
7. Scroll down to "Enroll Your Selection" and choose SAVE. Registration complete.
Remember, OPC will receive a donation from Kroger's for your purchases and there's NO cost to you! Problems signing up? Please contact Elaine in the church office and someone will help you.
Check the bottom of your Kroger receipts, they will say: Oxford Presbyterian Church if you are successfully registered.
We need the following information to register your Kroger Plus Card:
Complete Kroger Number (Please include the first and last number for a total of 12 or 13 #'s :
Kroger Plus Number (If you do not have a Kroger Plus card would you like us get one for you?)
Name ________________________
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Address _______________________
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Phone Number ___________________
Thank you for taking the time to register for the Community Rewards Program! If you have already designated your Kroger Plus Card to the Oxford Presbyterian Church then Thank You!
How many of you remember this ditty?
Let's go Krogering, Krogering, Krogering, Let's go Krogering, the Happy Way to Shop.
(What other nouns have been made into verbs-does it annoy you?-ed.
Some examples: friending, fed-exing, Xeroxing, bookmarking, tasking, on and oning....)
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Do you know someone who needs a Prayer Shawl? Shawls are given for comfort in times of illness or grief, as well as for celebration in times of joy. If you have a friend or relative to whom you would like to give a Prayer Shawl, please call Cornelia Browne.
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OXFORD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WOMEN
THE TUESDAY AFTERNOON CIRCLE Due to weather, our circle has shifted our study schedule. For April 21, Becky Quay will give the lesson. Lynn Cronk will do the Minute for Mission and Prue Dana will do the Least Coin. THE TUESDAY EVENING CIRCLE
Will meet at the home of Jo Reinhart. Connie Everhart is the co-hostess, Debbie Davison will lead Devotions and Janet Holmes will present the program.
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Our Connection with our Sister Church in Barranquilla
The Oxford Presbyterian Church has had a partnership with the Seventh Presbyterian Church in Barranquilla, Colombia for about twenty years. For many years, our church has sent money to the Seventh Church in support of the Goel Project. Goel is a mission of our sister church to provide school fees and uniforms for poor children so that they can attend school. After a Friendship Team from our church visited the Seventh Church during the summer of 2013, we learned about the dedication of our brothers and sisters in Colombia to the mission of helping displaced and abused women and children in the El Por Fin neighborhood through their Bethesda Christian Community Center. Our Team visited the Center and found it to be in a dilapidated condition. The women in OPW were moved to apply for a Birthday Offering grant through the national office of Presbyterian Women, U.S.A. in order to secure money to build a new Community Center for our sister church. Our proposal was accepted and the Seventh Church will receive $100,000 to build a new Center on the same site where the present building is falling down. In addition, the OPC Mission and Outreach Committee has dedicated $10,000 to help our Sister Church buy land next to the present site to be used for recreational purposes. The women in our church are continuing to raise money for this project in order to furnish the new building with kitchen supplies, sewing machines and computers for vocational training, and books and resources for the children's programs. If you would like to donate to this project, you can send a check to Oxford Presbyterian Women with Colombia in the memo line. Your extravagant generosity will be greatly appreciated!!
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REMINDER TO BOX TOPS AND CAMPBELLS LABELS CLIPPERS FOR MEANAUL
I'm in the house and thinking. It would be nice if I could get them mailed off by the middle of May. This would mean we wouldn't lose the bunch expiring in mid June. It's amazing what being stuck in the house lets you think about. Hoping to get out before you read this newsletter.
Sincere appreciation for all the cards and prayers. I'm a lucky duck. 
Karen Simpson
(Karen, we are all grateful that your surgery is over and that you are on the mend!-ed. and the congregation!)
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We support Miraj Medical Center with an annual donation of $525. We have sent them money since well before my time here in Oxford. It is officially listed in our budget under Benevolences & Gifts as "Virginia Parker Nursing Scholarship Miraj Medical Center (India). I suspect many in our congregation know more about Virginia Parker than I do. She lived in Oxford and was our missionary in India. This year we received a super thank you for our gift. The address shows Miraj Medical Center WANLESS HOSPITAL,
MIRAJ (Estd. 1894) MIRAJ 416 410, Maharashtra State, India. Virginia Parker is noted as a former Presbyterian mission partner. The middle paragraph writes that the College of Nursing is growing from strength to strength. The final paragraph reads "I am grateful and thankful to you, all members of the Oxford Presbyterian Women for this valuable contribution in memory of Virginia Parker. Do remember the healing ministry and educational program of MMC in your prayers. We need your prayerful support and financial assistance. May this year be Peaceful, Prosperous and Blessed to all of you.
Dr. Nathaniel Sase, MD, DM Director writes a terrific thank you.
Karen Simpson
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THE SPRING FRIENDSHIP BREAKFAST April 18, starts at 10:00 in the Seminary
The Afternoon and Evening Circles will provide a  delicious choice of food. Nancy Moeckel will lead the program of Origami. We'll learn how to fold a peace crane, a small gift box and if there is time and interest some other fun items.
The meeting will conclude with election of next year's officers.
Do come and bring your friends.
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SPRING RUMMAGE SALE
THINK Spring! Now is the time to start weeding out your closets and drawers to make room for the items you really use or plan to buy. Once again the OPW is organizing a church-wide rummage sale this spring. Let's pull together and make this sale a huge success. Do you know your neighbors well? Tell them about this event, maybe they would like to start spring cleaning also. It's a win-win...you have a clean and uncluttered house; you don't have to feel bad about getting rid of those  things and folks find the gently used items they can afford. This fundraiser helps so many people. Our proceeds support many different missions.
The spring rummage sale will be held May 7, 8 and 9. You can drop off items Wednesday mornings at the Seminary, April 8, 15, 22 and 29 between 9:00 and 11:30 am and by appointment Saturday mornings; or drop them off at the church outside of Elaine's office. Beginning May 4, we will be doing set-up that week, displaying, and pricing items for sale. We need and appreciate your help. Please mark your calendars. We need workers. Can you help Wednesday mornings in April? Any help is greatly appreciated. If you can help please fill in the bottom section and place it in the offering plate or give it to Elaine at the church office. QUESTIONS? Call Sue Wilson 523-8848 THANK YOU!
THIS IS HOW I WANT TO HELP RUMMAGE!
(Check or Circle ALL that apply!!) The more the merrier!!
HELP SORT DONATIONS
Weds 9-11:30
Apr 8, 25, 22, 29
HELP WITH PUBLICITY
Put up posters
Make phone calls
Get boxes
HELP WITH SET UP
Saturday, May 2 9am
About 1 hour max
Set up tables and sort boxes
HELP SET UP FOR SALE
Display and Price
Monday May 4, 9-3
Tuesday May 5, 9-3
Wednesday May 6, 9-3
HELP STAFF SALE TIMES
Attend the tables, checkout, other
Thursday May 7, 6-8pm
Friday May 8, 10-3pm
Saturday May 9, 9-12
HELP WITH TAKE DOWN and PACK FOR CHARITY
Saturday May 9, 12-1pm
1 hour max
Name_________________________
Phone____________________
Email_____________________
Let the church office know how you can help by sharing info on this form with Elaine.
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OPW Scheduled Social Events
2015
April 18
Friendship Breakfast - 10 a.m.
Program to be announced - Karen Shearer 
Election of Officers
May 7, 8, 9 Rummage Sale -
Seminary Building
June 6
OPW Women's Retreat
9-1 Western Lodge
Program to be announced - Roberta Crain
OPW Coordinating Committee
Molyneaux Lounge, 7:30 p.m.
February 25 and May 27
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SESSION
After the prayer opening the March 17 meeting of Session, members took time to reflect on "generosity" as described in Luke 38:6: "Giving, not getting is the way. Generosity begets generosity." With that concept as a backdrop, Moderator Pastor Hart directed the focus to two resources: 1) four priorities that emerged from our "Listening to the Spirit" conversations, that were reviewed by Pat Gifford and Jeff Smith, and 2) information on the "life cycle theory" of church growth and decline, from a resource that described various stages of development through which church congregations progress. Drawing upon the "life cycle theory," Session members, in lively discussion, fleshed out an instructive, in-depth picture of our Oxford Presbyterian Church. Then discussion moved to a consideration of how to share with the wider congregation the community-building, the enthusiasm, and the learning, that has come out of the Lenten studies. It was decided to plan and schedule soon a church-wide event to celebrate and to share the fellowship, the enthusiasm, and the learning that has come out of those well-attended small-group meetings.
Reports and Action: Session approved the Trustees' recommendation to accept the bid they have in hand to replace the furnaces that heat the sanctuary.
Christian Education: Lynn Cronk reported that because of the generous support of church members through their contributions and participation in fund raisers, the trips of both youth groups are now fully funded.
Finance: Rich Drewes reported that the committee has 1) identified professionals to submit bids and/or begin work and 2) set up a structure to handle funds to be used for projected physical facilities changes at both the Seminary and the Memorial.
Membership, Fellowship, Evangelism: April 12 is the date for an after-church event to welcome Reverend Cheryl Hart to Oxford Presbyterian Church.
Mission and Outreach: $1500 was donated to the shoes for needy children, a mission with our partnership chuArches in Russia.
Worship and Music: Congregational Maundy Thursday Supper and Service, with an inter-active drama, at the Knolls of Oxford on April 2. Easter Sunday Services at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m., with very special music at the Memorial.
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TRUSTEES
Facilities Progress
Things are starting to happen at the Seminary. Enough money has been pledged to repair five windows--that leaves four plus the large ones still to go. As soon all the funds are in hand, the window restoration contractor is ready to go. Contact Joe Simpson if you want to contribute.
The accounts have been established to handle donations for the windows and funds from the endowment so disbursements can be made when necessary.
Wilson Historical Concepts, a timber construction and restoration firm that submitted a proposal last year, is reviewing some minor changes recommended by the structural engineers. They will revise their bid for our review.
Finally, the engineering firm is preparing construction drawings for the roof system and several options for the first floor. We will decide whether to repair/replace the wood floor, or install a concrete subfloor--each has its own set of ramifications.
The facilities committee will put out a "request for qualifications" to architectural firms interested in design work in the Memorial building in early April. Selection of an architect will follow.
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Shoe News!
Despite the brutal weather of the February Sunday mornings Oxford Presbyterians stepped forward to provide 125 pair of shoes or slippers for the needy children of central Russia.
Ellen and Al Smith, OPC supported mission workers in Russia, report that "prices have gone up, food is very expensive, but Russians are used to struggling. Goods from Europe are now largely out of reach, as is the thought of travel in that direction, but those are
luxuries. It is a time for belt tightening. They know how to do that." Fortunately, due to OPC, the children may suffer less.
The Mission and Outreach Committee
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First Friday Niters will not meet in April
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If you would like to see a recent Presbyterian Church service come to The Knolls on Tuesday, April 14 and Tuesday April 28. The service will be shown in the Assisted Living dining room at 10:00 A.M. and anyone wishing to join us is welcome!
Becky Quay
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Tyler Pettigrew, Executive Director of "Our Daily Bread" was an excellent and inspiring guest preacher.
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TALENT SHOW
AND SILENT AUCTION
PLUS POT LUCK
HAS BEEN POSTPONED FOR ONE YEAR
(that will give you time to perfect your accordion and kazoo version of When the Saints go Marching In)
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There is still time to be included in the group who are contributing to the purchase of new hymnals! Don't be left out. Let Elaine in the church office know how many and what the dedication should be. Deadline is April 5.
THANK YOU to the folks who practiced
EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY
and provided funds for the choir kit ($400.00 for accompaniment book, loose leaf binder edition and 20 hymnals for the choir) and for the online edition ($500.00 for computer access including listening) and the  accompaniment version ($85.00 for the organist [though Lynn could and would be able to play all the hymns without this because of her talent] but it will make things easier for her-ed.) and thank you to Pam and MaryJo for the game of Name that Hymn. It surely got us in the SPIRIT!
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First Friday Niters will not meet in April
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Oxford Presbyterian Church Staff
web page: www.oxfordpresbychurch.org
Telephone: 513-523-6364
Fax: 513-523-8215
Seminary Building: 513-523-7411
Interim Pastor: Pastor Hart
Music Director: Kent Peterson
Organist: Lynn Jacobs
Pastor Emeritus: Dr. Joseph R. Hookey
Parish Associates: Dr. Bruce Bueschel, Rev. Diane Ziegler
Administrative Assistant:
Elaine Patterson: office@oxfordpresbychurch.org
Financial Secretary:
Jean Hitsman: finance@oxfordpresbychurch.org
Director/Teacher C.C.N.S.:
Sarah Mapel: 207-3630
Newsletter Editor:
Nancy Moeckel, moeckenj@miamioh.edu
OFFICERS OF OPC
SESSION
Class of 2017:
Mary Jane Roberts, Jeff Smith, Robert Smith, Janet Zeigler, Tip Ziegler
Class of 2015:
Carol Burkhalter, Diane Young, Brent Bader, Jenny Bailer, Mary Jo McFadden
Class of 2016:
Pam Deahl, Lynn Cronk, Pat Gifford, Tom Poetter, Rich Drewes
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Deadline for the May, 2015 Newsletter is April 20, 2015
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APRIL BIRTHDAYS
1 Deanna Maxwell
2 JoAnne Bogard
2 Christine Poetter
3 Nathan Pacey
3 Austin Lake
5 Darrell Richardson
5 Deb Sayers
5 Dave McDaniel
5 John Hesford
6 Emily Bailer
7 Jane Kelly
7 Pat Gifford
7 Stephen James
8 John Woodruff
9 Mary Jane Brower
9 Sam Poetter
9 Emily Platt
11 Marjory Baer
11 Richard Nelson
11 Caroline Shoker
11 Branden Butterfield
12 Tip Ziegler
12 Dick Keebler
12 Boe Stephenson
13 Faye Santavicca
13 Nicholas Payne
15 Don Gerber
15 Elizabeth Johnson
15 Becky McDaniel
16 Alan Smith
17 John Trump
17 Thomas Payne
19 Kay Jellison
21 Mary Hunter
21 Alex Hughes
23 Jean Woodruff
24 Marietta Bowlby
25 Ruth Miller
26 Christopher Bailer
26 Joe Gentry
27 Richard Quay
29 Susan Maxfield
29 Jenny Hunter
30 Herb Wiepking
30 Rodger Cromer
April Aphorisms for our Celebrants
In the Spirit of our new Hymnals, for those who speed, consider these...
- 45mph. God Will Take Care of You
- 65mph. Nearer My God To Thee
- 85mph. This World Is Not My Home
- 95mph. Lord, I'm Coming Home
- 100mph. Precious Memories
If everything is under control, you are going too slow-Mario Andretti
I love deadlines. I love the whoosing sound they make as they go by
By the way, I am wearing the smile you gave me
No problem is so formidable that you can't walk away from it. - Charles M. Schulz
Question of the month.
Easter is always in April. True or False. As always, search the newsletter for the answer. (made you read it, made you read it-Ed.)
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Full Article
At a recent meeting of the Session, we engaged in a conversation you might call: "Understanding Your Congregation's Life Cycle." Similar to individuals, congregations experience a life cycle with these stages:
1. Birth of a New Church- In this stage, churches are driven by vision, with a strong emphasis on growing the fellowship through outreach and evangelism. The founding generation has passion and excitement about this new venture. The church may not be financially stable, but a sense of call to reach out with the good news of Jesus Christ provides a sense of urgency and energy. The founding stories of the church in the Book of Acts in the New Testament are an example.
2. Solvent, Healthy Church -In this growth stage, churches are driven by increased worship attendance, program development and staffing. There is a strong sense of mission, purpose, and vision. The churches best days seem to be ahead.
3. Decline- In this stage churches focus primarily on maintaining the institution, relationships, property, programs, and management. These churches are successful in many areas but are often lacking in a clear focus; much remains status quo. Often in the interim period of ministry, I hear people saying, "How can we recover what we once had?" or perhaps, "What do we need to do to renew ourselves?" These questions return us to the church's founding days and its birth. In a sense, there is a yearning to return to the church's days as a "birthing center" of new life for all. The story of Abraham and Sarah tells us, it's never too late to welcome "new life." Nicodemus in John 3 is one such person who wonders, can someone old be reborn? Can a church be renewed and reborn with a passion for serving Jesus Christ and reaching out to others? Apparently, Jesus thinks so.
4. Death-In this stage churches are in sharp decline. Resources, ministries, programs and staff are greatly diminished or have disappeared entirely. Questions about who is responsible are often raised. Feelings of nostalgia, disappointment, and sometimes anger are expressed. Here the letters to the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation are instructive as both a caution and an encouragement.
Where would you place Oxford Presbyterian Church in these possible 4 categories? At the session meeting recently, we had a lively and sometimes challenging conversation about that very thing. Knowing where you are is often the first step toward knowing where you hope to go.
I personally believe in a God of Hope who often brings new life out of what seem to be hopeless or very difficult situations. I believe that each congregation, like each person, has a divine vocation. Re-examining God's Call is connected to re-discovering God's Hope.
I also have observed "Two Fears in Congregations". It has long been recognized that fear paralyzes organizations as much as it paralyzes individuals. Two essentials fears face most congregations:
- The fear of too much change, and
- The fear of too little change.
The fear of too much change is the fear of being out of control. Often this is experienced in the fear that something important will be lost if there is too much change. Leaders as well as members may feel this way. A pastor often struggles with the change process also, so that when there is resistance to change, the pastor may feel that key people in the congregation "don't like me anymore." A natural part of change is the fear of loss, and it is a dynamic that must be faced by us all.
The fear of too little change is also normal and typical. Sometimes the challenge is the inability to even get change started. This is where I enjoy light bulb jokes. "How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb? Answer...Nobody knows." Or how many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? Answer, "Only one, but the light bulb has to want to change."
It is worth recalling that ours is a God of Change. God, in fact, must love change, because God has been about changing lives and changing the world through the whole course of biblical faith. Here's where we draw on our tradition as opposed to traditionalism. Congregations are faith communities. Their ongoing purpose is to introduce people to a relationship with God which can be life changing.
Here's another important principle. We need to appreciate experimentation and failure. Most congregations developed in a time in which stability and sameness trained us to assume that everything we try in our congregations must not "fail." Far too often, we then drew back from a sense of adventure and risk-taking, which is really the whole story of faith through time. Congregations need to be able to find learnings not just from our successes, but also from our so-called failures. If we learn something from a failure, is it a failure? Here's another insight. "A Failure of Nerve, plus a Lack of Imagination" leads to organizational death. The resurrection story is first of all connected to Good Friday, which is a story of human sin and failure. But the faith we celebrate is that God knows how to find the way out of the grave,
Three questions lead to a renewed sense of energy and urgency in the life of a congregation:
1. Who are we? (the identity question)
2. What are we here for? (the vision and purpose question)
3. Who is our neighbor? (the mission question)
In the coming months, as plans are made for the search for a new pastor, these 3 questions will be critical. They remain essential questions in the life and calling and renewal of the church you love.
(Sources for some of these ideas: "Can Our Church Live?" by Alice Mann; "Leading Change in the Congregation" by Gilbert Rendle; and "Transitional Ministry Today" ed. By Norman Bendroth)
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REFLECTIONS
Dan Anderson-Little
Full Article
(This article continues a series by Rev. Dan Anderson-Little who visited OPC in the fall of 2014 to share inspiring stories about his ancestor, Rev. Henry Little, who served OPC in the 1830s.)
Through many dangers, toils, and snares...
Over the past decade a lot of business and church consultants have encouraged us individually and collectively to "fail forward." So many of us find this advice to be counter-intuitive-why would we ever want to fail? Daily we try to protect ourselves from failure by purchasing insurance and protection plans and warranties. In our vocational and personal lives we also protect ourselves by avoiding risks and playing it safe. This is simply human nature. We don't like conflict. We would rather not try new things if we aren't convinced they will work. Heck, we even call our worship center a "sanctuary" which gives us the illusion that in church we are protected and safe from failure and difficulties.
But playing it safe as the church in the 21
st
Century is no longer proving to be tenable. Mainline denominations and local congregations are in slow decline and there is nothing to suggest that that status quo will be the way forward. In response, many in the church are now beginning to embrace the idea of "failing forward." This means that congregations, presbyteries and whole denominations have adopted an attitude of experimentation. And we do so knowing that some (many?) of our experiments will fall flat. Additionally, "failing forward" requires that we do not blame each other or ourselves when something doesn't work as we hoped, but instead we actively seek to learn from our experience and incorporate that learning into our next action. This is the "forward" part-even our failures move us forward and help us be more effective in the future.
It is easy to imagine that we are first generation of the church which has to learn this new behavior, the behavior of "failing forward." But the church has been failing forward since the very beginning. When Jesus was sentenced to death and was crucified, he had only a handful of followers and most of them abandoned him. The Apostle Paul was harassed, persecuted, and rejected-not only by the Roman authorities but by other leaders in the early church. In II Corinthians 11:24-26, Paul catalogs the difficulties and failures that he endured: Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.
My reading of Henry Little reveals that nearly 200 years ago, he and early members of the Oxford Presbyterian Church knew how to "fail forward" even if they didn't know the term. In an echo of Paul's litany of disasters, Ol' Henry wrote:
At least fifteen times I have been on trains when the locomotives have run off the track, and I have been upset in all kinds of stages and carriages. And while Henry established many congregations in Ohio and Indiana throughout the 19
th
Century, many of those churches are now closed, merged or have left the denomination. Henry knew that only Jesus Christ was the same yesterday, today, and forever and so he didn't fret if some of his efforts didn't pan out. He knew that God has called him to be faithful to his calling and that God would make up the difference.
I am convinced that the congregations and denominations that will thrive in the 21
st
Century are the ones who will most emphatically embrace the idea of "failing forward." We will tirelessly seek ways to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others-and as we go, we will learn, we will adapt, and God will make up the difference!
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Full Article
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Church Education News
Church School
Easter Sunday April 5
- 8:30 Nursery Care Provided in the First Floor Nursery
- 10:00 Nursery and Preschool Class Available on the First Floor in the Preschool Area
Activity Bags and Action Bibles available in the Narthex for use in the sanctuary by children in grades kindergarten and above. There will be no classes for those grades April 12, 19, 26
Children will worship in the sanctuary and be released for classes following the Children's Story at approximately 10:20 a.m. Classes will be held in the following locations:
- Nursery- First Floor Nursery
- Preschool- First Floor in the Nursery School Area
- K-1-Second Floor K-1 Room
- Grades 2-5- Second, Floor Art Room
- Middle School-Second Floor, Geneva Room
- High School- Second Floor, AV Room
Meeting for Youth and Parents regarding the High School Mission Trip to Atlanta will be Sunday April 26th following worship services.
Middle School Mission Trip for Middle School
Youth to Kirkmont May 15-17. The deadline for registration has been extended to April 12th. The cost of the trip is $75 per student. For further information contact Leanne Staley or Katie Saylor.
Junior and Senior High Youth Group Meets in April
Youth group meets the 2nd and 4th Sunday at Memorial from 5 - 7 p.m.
THE SPAGHETTI SUPPER WAS A HUGE SUCCESS
with $713 raised for the Mission Trip. The Walter Family and the DeGennaro family orchestrated one great dinner complete with decorations. Thanks to all the youth and their families that made this happen as well as our parishioners who enjoyed an awesome Italian dinner.
Recently the youth have received several generous donations from  members of the congregation and from groups within the church such as Mission and Outreach, Presbyterian Women, Stewardship and Finance. They will also be receiving money from the Linda Martin Schnipper Fund and the Puff Fund. When all of these generous donations are received along with monies raised from Fund Raisers they will have the $10,000 needed for their trip. Thank you youth for a great job fundraising. A huge thanks to all the members of the congregation for making this event possible for 12 youth to go on a Door Mission Trip to Atlanta. They have practiced extravagant generosity!
Thank you and thanks be to God!
Youth will participate in a service project in April. Watch for upcoming details.
UPCOMING DATES
- April 1- Welcome to Pastor Cheryl Edmonds as she begins her work at OPC
- April 2 Maundy Thursday Service at the Knolls
- April 4-10 Talawanda Spring Break
- April 5- Easter 8:30 only nursery care available 10:00 nursery and preschool classes meet, other children worship in the Sanctuary
- April 8- CE Committee Meets at 6:30 in the A.V. Room
- April 12- Regular Church School Schedule Welcome lunch Pastor Cheryl Deadline for down payment for Middle School trip to Kirkmont 5:00 p.m. Youth Group meets at Memorial
- April 19- Regular Church School Schedule1:30-3:00 p.m. 45-56 Club meets with Dick Munson
THE TALENT SHOW AND SILENT AUCTION HAS BEEN POSTPONED FOR ONE YEAR
- TBD- Service Project with Youth- Jenn Burns will be notifying our youth!
- April 26- Regular Church School Schedule 11:15 Parent Meeting on High School Mission Trip following Church in Geneva Room 5:00 p.m. Youth Group meets at Memorial
- May (TBD) Teacher Appreciation Sunday and Jamieson Award Sunday
- May 15-17 Middle School Mission Trip to Kirkmont (Presently 7 youth signed up!)
- June 21-27 Mission Trip to Atlanta - Door Mission
- July 10-12 Vacation Bible School at the Methodist Church
Following Easter the children and youth at OPC will be learning how Jesus is alive again. Some of the stories they will be hearing are about Jesus appearing to the Disciples by the Sea, Jesus Commissioning the Disciples and the story of the Mustard Seed. The story of the Mustard Seed is of utmost importance because it tells how things can grow. A very tiny mustard seed can produce a large plant. Matthew 13:31 The Parable of the Mustard Seed "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." WALKING STICKS FOR GRADES 4, 5, and 6 the 45-56 Club Once again Dick Munson will open his garage to the young  people. On Sunday April 19 th the 45-56 Club will be making Walking Sticks at 6751 Brown Road from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Participants in grades 4, 5, or 6 are invited to come and bring a friend. E-Mail Dick if you can attend beaver1948@juno.com. Please carpool. Following this event at another date the students will be able to use their walking sticks for a hike. Thank you, Dick for making this possible. Hello Everyone and welcome to the beginning of spring! I am sure everyone is ready for some warm weather, I know that our youth are ready for sunshine and outside been keeping warm inside for the most part. In February we had Winter Jam and 19 youth attended! Our 4-car caravan made its way to Cincinnati U.S. Bank Arena for a night filled with Music and Worship. We experienced amazing light shows and interesting new dance trends all the while hearing stories about raising awareness to orphaned children across the globe. The youth were told stories and inspired to be active Christians living the word and not simply hiding behind the noun that is Being a Christian and becoming the verb that is a Christian. We have been studying in Sunday School and Youth Group about expressing our differences and finding ways to work together with all of our unique qualities to become a better group and more accepting individuals. We have had the opportunity to meet in the homes of the Walter family and the Staley home these past few times for youth group and we are so thankful to those families for giving us a warm place to meet and nice dinners! The youth are preparing for the mission trips --both the Middle School Kirkmont trip and the High School Atlanta trip. The Spaghetti Dinner was so successful from the great planning of the Walter and DeGennaro Families; the atmosphere was inviting and perfect for an Italian setting. The youth helped bus tables, refill drinks, music selection, and opened in prayer. The generosity of the congregation is beautiful and overwhelming. It means the world to the youth and me-the support that the church has for its youth and their mission. In the upcoming month we are planning an outreach to the animal shelter that is being coordinated by the youth intern Cassidy. The youth are excited to be able to donate their time and effort to help out in anyway  possible to the local animal shelter. The youth will even be getting the first level of certification to be a volunteer at the shelter during the meeting! Dates are not completely set yet but we are looking at one of the later Saturdays in April. The youth should be seen about the church more frequently in the next month as they will be joining the church service on the first Sunday of every month to partake in communion. We do need volunteers to host for April and May youth group, but with nicer weather on its way we will be looking for opportunities to get outside, maybe a hike in Hueston Woods or a small escape to the parks. Here is hoping that your spring takes you outdoors as well. God Bless, Jenn Burns ________________ If you have questions about the Christian Education Program please contact any member of the CE Committee, Lynn Cronk, Sarah Miller, Dick Munson, Katie Saylor, Mary Shinn, Leanne Staley, Jennifer Walter and Diane Young. Return to Top |
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