The Interim Journey continues as our congregation tackles important questions, critical to discerning our future and calling a new pastor.   Many of us found small group discussions during our Lenten Study series

, Five Practices of Fruitful Living, powerful and meaningful in our personal faith development. Sharing thoughts, feelings, and ideas with other members of our OPC family was a rich and rewarding personal experience.

 

 

 

 

IN OUR PRAYERS:

  Keep these friends in your prayers

 

Robbie Wells, John Reller, Stacey Winn, Betty Barnhart, Evelyn Black, Cathy Fey, Marilyn Rettig, Sarah Soika

 

Lord in Your Mercy, Hear Our Prayers

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On May 25th, we celebrated with Julie and Chris O'Connell the first anniversary of the baptisms of their sons,

Josh and Sam

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THANK YOU

 

Dear OPC family,

Thank you for the many, many warm words of support and nurture, cards, and flowers for us as we came to terms with the death of my father.  Your warmth, prayers, and support did not go unnoticed.  Thank you,

Mary Shinn and family

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In depth conversations, among elders, emphasized courage in addressing the changes that are hoped for in the future of OPC.

 

Two graphs were shared that demonstrated how the OPC membership and attendance at Sunday worship services have declined since 2003. Membership has declined 27% and attendance has declined 30%. 74% of the OPC membership does not attend regular Sunday worship.

 

A committee, chaired by Tom Poetter, is being formed (and would welcome anyone interested) to focus on actively encouraging members of the Miami community to participate in OPC life.

 

According to one of the youth who attended the Kirkmont mission trip, May 15 - 17, it was AWESOME.

 

Repair of eight of the nine windows in the Seminary, now underway, has been paid for through donations. Attic repair in the Seminary has been completed and came in under budget.

 

 

 

Becky Quay will be showing the church DVD's at The Knolls on Thursday, June 11 and Tuesday, June 23. 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

There will not be any DVD services shown in July or August.  

Thanks!

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THE JAMIESON AWARD

The Jamieson award is given to a senior or seniors who have made a significant contribution to the church and its youth activities and has been given since 1966.  The S.R. and Luna Weede Jamieson Award Fund is a gift from members and former members and friends of the Women's Society of Seminary United Presbyterian Church and Mrs. Floyd Farquer (Lucille), daughter of Dr. and Mr. Jamieson, with whom they lived after leaving Oxford for El Paso Texas. 

Rev. S. R. Jamieson was pastor of the Seminary Church from 1914 to 1922.  Originally the Seminary Women's Society was asked to make the award of $10.00 each spring.  The award might be increased at the discretion of the executive committee.  The Jamieson's were always interested in young people and fully realized their importance to the church and to the community.  Mrs. Jamieson's grandfather was also a Presbyterian Minister and graduated from Miami in 1829, the 4^th graduating class. 

 

In 1992, Quincy and Jean Butterfield increased the Jamieson Scholarship Fund in celebration of their 50^th wedding anniversary.  S.R. and Luna Weede Jamieson were pastor and wife for the Seminary congregation when Jean's parents were newlyweds.  Upon their retirement, the Jamieson's returned to Oxford to live, and in December 1942, Dr. Jamieson officiated at the marriage of Quincy and Jean.

 

This year's recipients: It has been over 100 years since Rev. Jamieson preached at the Seminary church and today the award has increased to $200.  Next year will be the 50^th anniversary of the presentation of the Jamieson Award. 

Each recipient now receives a certificate, a check for $200 from the Presbyterian Women, and his/her name and photo are entered in the Jamieson Scrapbook that is kept in the Molyneaux Library on the PW shelf.  A Jamieson Plaque also hangs on the wall outside the former Christian Education Office listing previous award recipients.  Some previous award recipients include:  Melinda Wespiser, David Teckman, Jim Sturgeon, Christine Griffing, Michael Rudolph, Jane Fisher, Janet Sturgeon, Diane Ziegler and Stephanie Flee.  Previously Jean Butterfield wrote to all the recipients and asked for an update on their lives and activities. 

This year's award winners:

 

Breanne Parks, niece of Martin and Leanne Staley- Graduate of Talawanda High School. Breanne will attend Wright State.  She has been an active participant at OPC, working in the Nursery every Sunday, attending youth group and church school, participating in the Youth Mission Trips and she currently serves on the Board of Deacons.  Good luck, Breanne!

 

Thomas Payne, son of Keith and Katie

Payne- graduating from William Henry Harrison High School. He will attend St. Thomas Moore College next year.  Thomas has not only been active in the youth group and mission trips but has assisted in AV ministry and participated in worship services.  Recently, the Harrison Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution also mentioned him in the Cincinnati Inquirer for winning the G.S. Knight Essay Contest for his article on Thomas Paine and his contributions to the American Revolution. Thomas will now go on to compete at the state level. Congratulations to you Thomas!

(visit http://ohssardispatch.wordpress.com/?s=thomas+payne

for more details about the essay contest. Use the search window on that page and search "Thomas Payne")

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GRIEF RECOVERY PROGRAM IN HAMILTON

 

Crossroads Hospice is beginning a new Grief Recovery Method® Grief Support Group in Hamilton this Summer. The Grief Recovery Method® Grief Support Group will guide those who wish to resolve their loss issues and move beyond their grief to a richer quality of life. The 10-week program will be held on Wednesday afternoons, 2:00-4:00pm, from June 3 - August 5, 2015, at Hamilton Central YMCA, 105 N. 2nd St, Hamilton. There is no cost for the program. For further information, contact Donna Hartmann, Bereavement Coordinator at 513-786-3781 or donna.hartmann@crossroadshospice.comp

  

Many blessings,

Donna Hartmann

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FIRST FRIDAY NITERS

Will not meet in June

But to make up for that, FFN WILL meet in July.  Nancy Moeckel will share with you the highlights of her January trip to Patagonia.  If you don't know where Patagonia is, plan to attend.  If you want to see some exciting pictures of handsome Chileans, glaciers and volcanoes, plan to attend.  If you want to have fun with friends, plan to attend, and lastly, if you like good food, plan to attend! Bring a potluck dish to share, and be at the Molyneaux lounge at 6:30. 

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WE NEED YOU TO GO OUTBACK AND ROUND UP THESE SUPPLIES FOR VBS.  Cheers, Mate.

 

We anticipate 60 children.

You may leave your donations in the supply room.  Thank you in advance

 

Pringles or nut cans, or coffee cans (small).  Cans that have a thin rubber cover that we can cut a slit in to make a bank. The children will decorate the cans. 

 

A rock that is about the size of a baseball. (not a soft ball) We will paint the rocks.

 

Items to be donated: a new washcloth

a bar of soap

  

Thanks, Prue

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SUPPORT FOR LOCAL CAREGIVERS

One of the first things you hear as a new caregiver is: to accept your feelings. Caregiving can trigger a host of difficult emotions, including anger, fear, resentment, guilt, helplessness, and grief. It's important to acknowledge and accept what you're feeling, both good and bad. Don't beat yourself up over your doubts and misgivings. These feelings don't mean that you don't love your family member-they simply mean you're human. (www.helpguide.org)

Having a safe place to talk about your particular caregiving situation and challenges can be a helpful way to cope with the everyday stresses of caregiving. It also allows for networking and sharing of ideas that can help with challenging situations.

"I learned about resources that I didn't realize I needed, as well as practical things to help at home while caring for my father. I looked forward to the caregiver support group, especially if I had a particularly rough week and needed to vent a bit. But it was also nice to be able to share successes and learn from one another. We are so lucky to have this support group in Oxford" C. Kabakoff, caregiver.

The Caregivers Support Group meets on the second and last Thursdays of each month, at 1:15pm in the library of Oxford Seniors.  Oxford Seniors is located at 922 Tollgate Drive, Oxford, OH. For more information, please contact Pat Willeke at 513-523-3321.

 

 

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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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