TABLE OF CONTENTS (scroll to see it all) (click on to JUMP TO) SPECIAL ITEMS
From Our I-Pastor |
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Recent Presbyterian Church services on DVD will be shown at The Knolls on Sept. 13 & 27 in the Assisted Living dining room at 10:00 A.M. Anyone wishing to join us is welcome.
Becky Quay
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Deadline for the
October 2016
newsletter is
September 20
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Lawrence H. Bartel is the New Pastor of the
Oxford Presbyterian Church
Effective October 4, 2016
The congregation of the Oxford Presbyterian Church met on Sunday, August 28, 2016 to act on the recommendation of the Pastor Nominating Committee. Judith Barr, Moderator appointed by the Presbytery of the Miami Valley, accepted a motion that Lawrence H. Bartel become Pastor of the Oxford church. Following comments from the members of the nominating committee a vote, by paper ballot, was taken and tabulated. The congregation cast a unanimous vote for the recommendation. Effective October 4, 2016, Reverend Lawrence H. Bartel will begin his work with the Oxford church and will conduct worship on October 9, 2016.
Click these links for more information!
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THEY CAME, THEY SIPPED, THEY SAW
Oppressive heat, dark clouds, and a very noisy storm did not deter members and friends of the Oxford Presbyterian Church from meeting their pastor candidate. An open house, "Sip and See" was held for Lawrence H. Bartel and family in the newly renovated first level of the Seminary Church.
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From Our Interim Pastor
"Saying Goodbye"
Pastor Hart Edmonds
Saying "Hello!" and Saying "Goodbye" are two of the major learning tasks all people need to accomplish if life is to unfold in a healthy way. As you read this, I will be close to my own departure from Oxford Presbyterian Church after 2 plus years of ministry with you as an intentional interim pastor. You welcomed me in the summer of 2014 after the departure of two beloved pastors, and I then undertook the call to intentional interim ministry among you. I felt called to serve the Oxford Presbyterian Church for a time such as this. That has remained constant for me in my time here.
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FROM OUR INTERIM ASSOCIATE PASTOR
MEAL, CONVERSATION,
AND
TAIZE CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER SERVICE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11
MEAL AND CONVERSATION 5:45 PM
PRAYER SERVICE 7:00 PM
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THIRD GRADER'S BIBLE PRESENTATION
Sunday, September 25
8:45 AM Family Breakfast in the
ART ROOM
10:00 AM Recognition in Worship
Please respond to your email/letter
to let us know how many
people to expect.
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MONDAY NIGHT ADULT SPIRITUALITY GROUP
is open to anyone who would like to join us at 6:30 PM.
We are using the book Open the Door by Joyce Rupp.
There are daily readings with a meditation guide for each day.
Here are the dates and assignments
September 12 - Please complete chapters 1 & 2
September 19 - Chapter 3
September 26 - Chapter 4
All the books have been taken. If you wish to join us please order your own book or speak to Pastor Cheryl about how to acquire one.
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR CHERYL EDMONDS Dear Members and Friends of Oxford Presbyterian Church, I look forward to working with you through my last day, World Communion Sunday, October 2, as we prepare for the coming of your new pastor. I have received great joy through my work with you over the last year and a half.
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Members of the Stewardship and Finance Committee urge all church members to keep their pledge giving up to date. Church offering income tends to lag during the summer vacation period, yet our bills continue at a normal pace. Thank you all.
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(Answer to the question of the month------Mississippi)
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Youth Group News The fall is quickly approaching, and that means the start of OPC's weekly Youth Group is almost here!
Starting Thursday, September 8 at 7pm, youth from 6th to 12th grade will be meeting in the Youth Room upstairs, and will continue to meet every Thursday evening at the same time listed above.
A Parent-Student Informational Meeting will take place on Sunday, September 18 at 11:15am in the Art Room (also in the second level of the church) for further scheduling and general information about the year ahead.
If the youth, or parents of the youth, have not gotten the chance to talk with Mitch Hardy, please reach out and do so. He looks forward to having a great start to the program and meeting all parents and youth!
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CARES, CONCERNS, JOYS AND THANK YOUs
IN OUR PRAYERS:
Keep these friends in your prayers:
Marilyn Young, Genee Hesse, John Reller, Stacey Winn, Betty Barnhart, Cathy Fey, Marilyn Rettig, Sarah Soika, Bob Douglass, Nancy Gates
Lord in Your Mercy, Hear Our Prayers
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My gratitude and thanks, to you, my OPC family, for the many cards and expressions of sympathy you sent following the recent passing of my father. My family and I are so appreciative of the support and encouragement. Lynn Jacobs ______________ MANY THANKS to our PNC Jenny Bailer, Lindsay Crist, John Curry, Tom Holmes, Jennifer Lake, Jennifer Walter, Tip Ziegler Consider this your standing ovation from the congregation for your outstanding dedication, devotion and discernment.
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DEACONS
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Please be mindful that there is a box by the Church Offices where you may continue to drop off food for the Oxford Choice Food Pantry anytime. Monetary donations may be placed in the offering plate anytime after the drive as well.
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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
will be meeting on September 20 at 1:30 p.m. in the Knolls Country Kitchen. Lynn Cronk will lead the lesson, Becky Quay has the mission yearbook, Rosemary Fisher the Least coin. Call Lawretta Clum if you would like to join the group for lunch at 12 noon. Pick up the new study "Who is Jesus?" from Prue Dana.
THE TUESDAY EVENING CIRCLE
will meet on September 6 in the home of Billie Maynard, 135 Wayside Circle at 7:30 p.m. Ginny Layton is the co hostess. Devotions will be led by Jean O'Connell. Janet Holmes will present the program. We are car pooling. Call Karen Simpson, 523-8363 if you want a ride. Let Karen know if you want a Study Book, otherwise I'll be bringing them to the meeting. The cost is $8.00.
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OPW is still collecting Box Tops for Education for Menual School. They are no longer collecting Campbell's Labels.
Karen Simpson
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The RATS* have returned to the Seminary!
Yes, it's true. I have seen them with my own eyes. In fact, they invited me to join with them, which I did. We discussed the FALL RUMMAGE SALE. Mark your calendars now and start rummaging through your closets. (or is that mark your closets and rummage your calendars....?) The RATS rally for the sale, which will be October 13, 14, and 15. More details follow.
RATS CALL FOR BOXES: the RATS need your help in gathering boxes. We can especially use SYSCO boxes or the like, because they are hardy and uniform in size, which makes them easy to stack.
Do you know of a group that needs community service points? Talk to the RATS about helping set up and take down. *Rummage Action Team Specialists
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RELAY FOR LIFE
On June 25, 2016, a mighty group called Team O.P.C. helped to "Paint the World Purple" by participating in the annual Relay for Life walk in from of Millett Hall. The event started with a  luncheon honoring area cancer survivors and fighters. In the sweltering heat, we kicked off the walk with a survivor lap, followed by a team lap. This year's Relay had 9 teams participating. Each team spends several months leading up to the event fundraising, and then we participate in on-site fundraisers as well. Butler Rural Electric usually has a dunking booth, which Austin Lake happily sits in each year for hours on end.
Throughout the day many local bands and dance groups entertain the walkers, and there is plenty of good food and snacks at many of the teams booths. The Kroger Company had an outstanding site this year, if you see Sharon or Sherry in your checkout line, please compliment them on the great effort! The 4H club called the Wrangler B.R.A.T.S. has walking tacos each year, which keeps our bellies full as we walk for hours. A group called Dogs Best Friends hosts dog washes each year at Smith Ogle on 27 to raise money. The dogs also perform their obedience skills during Relay as part of our entertainment.
 In the evening, over 500 luminaria candles were lit to honor loved ones who are fighting cancer, as well as to remember many loved ones who have passed away. Loved ones had the opportunity to write messages on the sidewalk near the luminarias. At 10 p.m., the names of all of those on the luminarias were read by Doug Ross and Steve Baker. After the ceremony, a silent lap is walked as we remember exactly how important it is to find a cure for cancer. Supplies for the luminaria are donated each year by Kroger, ACE, and Gardens by Kathy. Please thank Miranda in the deli, Jeff and Debbie McDonald at ACE, and Kathy if you see them in your errands!
Our mighty Team O.P.C. raised over $10,000 this year! A record for us! Team members included: Rachel Mehl, Janet Ziegler, Paula Foltz, Becky Quay, Leanne Staley, Janet Holmes, Debbie DeGennaro, Debbie Davidson, MaryJane Roberts, Lynn Cronk, Kent Peterson, Krista Stenger, Joyce Wilhelm, Sharon Simmons, Leslie Brankamp, Megan Brankamp, Bridgett Lykins, and Jennifer Lake.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone in the church who supported us with donations and came out to walk with us on that very hot day!!!!
Jennifer Lake
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Please welcome MITCH HARDY who is currently serving as the Transitional Youth Director Intern or TYDI.
Mitch is a music education major and a sophomore at Miami this year.
He is also one of three field commanders for the Miami Marching Band. Mitch assisted Jenn Burns last year with the Youth Group at Oxford Presbyterian Church. During the last two summers he served as a Youth Intern at his home church, Madiera-Silverwood Presbyterian in Cincinnati.
Look for his message to all 6-12 grade Youth in this newsletter.
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Walk, Give, Change the World Mark your calendar for the 2016 CROP WALK!
The 2016 CROP WALK is Sunday September 18 at 12:30 p.m. The 5 K walk will begin and end Uptown. Greek affiliated and non-Greek, as well as community members are invited to participate in the 26th OxfordCROP Walk named in honor of L. Warren Nelson, local community organizer. Neighbors and friends walk together to take a stand against hunger in our world. Different ages, faiths and backgrounds walking together can raise awareness and funds for international relief and development, as well as local hunger fighting. Some 2,000 communities across the country including Oxford take part each year. 25% of the money raised fights hunger in our community by going to the Oxford Community Choice Pantry. SIGNUP TO WALK OR SUPPORT A WALKER DURING FELLOWSHIP TIME AFTER WORSHIP. You may also get a pledge form from the church office. _____________________________ MUSTARD SEED INVESTMENT GROUP SEEKS MEMBERS. If you would like to join a small investment group of fellow congregants, learn a little about investing, and support mission giving, please consider joining the Mustard Seed Investment group. The group meets four times a year in members' homes, contributing $50 each quarter. The value of our portfolio currently fluctuates around $23,000 dollars. For the sixth year, we have contributed $600, most recently half to local missions and half to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. The beneficiary is determined by vote of the members. As the value of the portfolio grows we hope the amount distributed will grow as well. The portfolio is the property of the church. We will meet September 7th at 7:30 at the home of Janet and Tom Holmes, 210 Ridge Avenue. Please visit with us to see if you are interested. Call Joe Simpson 513.523.8363 or Janet Holmes 513.523.3857 if you would like to discuss the group or arrange a ride. __________________________ HEARTS OF BEAUTY WOMEN'S RETREAT in Camden, OH October 6-9, 2016 This retreat is a wonderful place for women 18 years and older to embrace their God-given and essential beauty that is often diluted or lost in the busyness of our lives. The teachings and lessons are Biblical and inspired by the book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldridge. Reservations are needed for the tea to plan for the proper china place settings. RSVP for you and a girlfriend for a fun, free afternoon cultivating your beauty. _______________________ Congratulations to all our Oxford Presbyterian Church children and teens who were members of this summer's Oxford Swim and Dive Team (OSDT). They came in second place in the championships and worked hard all summer long! Rory Adryan, Abigail Curry, Noah Curry, Emma Fisher, Katya  Fisher, Elsa Friede, Finnegan Friede, Ezekiel Groom, Emily Krausher Also congratulations to Evan Bader, son of Brent and Ann Bader, who is a past OSDT and Miami University swim team member setting several records and a past OSDT assistant coach who qualified to compete in the USA Olympic try outs in Omaha, NE. God's blessings to you all! Mary Shinn __________________________________
Deadline for the October Newsletter is September 20
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Oxford Presbyterian Church Staff
Telephone: 513-523-6364
Fax: 513-523-8215
Seminary Building: 513-523-7411
Interim Pastor: Pastor Hart Edmonds
Interim Associate Pastor: Pastor Cheryl Edmonds
Music Director: Kent Peterson
Organist: Lynn Jacobs
Pastor Emeritus: Dr. Joseph R. Hookey
Parish Associates: Dr. Bruce Bueschel, Rev. Diane Ziegler
Administrative Assistant:
Financial Secretary:
Director/Teacher C.C.N.S.:
Sarah Mapel: 207-3630
Newsletter Editor:
Nancy Moeckel, moeckenj@miamioh.edu
OFFICERS OF OPC
SESSION
Class of 2016:
Pam Deahl, Lynn Cronk, Pat Gifford, Tom Poetter, Rich Drewes
Class of 2017:
Mary Jane Roberts, Robert Smith, Janet Zeigler, Gwen Fears, Kim Logsdon
Class of 2018: Carol Klumb, Amy McGoldrick, Katie Payne, Deb Sayers, David Wilson
Deacons
Class of 2016:
Janet Holmes, Deanna Maxwell, Lawretta Clum, Cornelia Browne, Molly Todd
Class of 2017:
Danny Cross, Connie Everhart, Matt Lykins, Jean O'Connell, Breanne Parks
Class of 2018: Karen Shearer, Lee Fisher, Virginia Layton, Ginny Staberg, Joni Marcum
Trustees
Class of 2016:Chris Adryan, Joe Simpson, Keith Payne
Class of 2017: Lisa Brunckhorst, Bill King
Class of 2018: Tom Holmes, Nick Fears
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SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 Layne Listerman
2 Sandy Hazleton
3 John Beaton
3 Margaret Keister
3 Jennifer Roberts
4 Paula Foltz
4 Scott Richmond
10 Kylee Fears
11 Emily Kraushar
12 Rick Bailey
12 Emma Lake
14 Becky Rudolph
17 Robert Burke
17 Karen Simpson
17 Jennifer Lake
19 Jennifer Walter
19 Elijah Brown
21 Pam Deahl
23 Mary Jane Roberts
23 Sam Stephenson
24 Stephen McDaniel
25 Lisa Elaine Gayhart
26 Vicky Trostel
26 Bill Schilling
27 Becky Quay
27 Ben Hesford
28 Emily Lykins
28 Rori Lykins
28 Grace Marado
Stuff for September
September is National:
Better Breakfast, Classical Music, Hispanic Heritage, Papaya, Potato and Piano, Self Improvement, Baby Safety ---Month. Find a way to celebrate and honor each!
Fall Arrives Monday, March 20, 2017 at 6:29 AM EDT
Question of the month
What do you call a hippie's wife?
Search the newsletter diligently for the answer.
The Smithsonian collections include 138 million objects, works of art, and specimens, the majority of which (127 million) are located at the National Museum of Natural History.
It may be covered with ice, but Antarctica gets only 6.5 inches of rain or snow per year.
Congress is so strange; a man gets up to speak and says nothing, nobody listens, and then everybody disagrees." Will Rogers
When you wake up at 6 in the morning, you close your eyes for 5 minutes and it's already 6:45. When you're at work and it's 2:30, you close your eyes for 5 minutes and it's 2:31.
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Full Article
"Saying Goodbye"
Pastor Hart Edmonds
Saying "Hello!" and Saying "Goodbye" are two of the major learning tasks all people need to accomplish if life is to unfold in a healthy way. As you read this, I will be close to my own departure from Oxford Presbyterian Church after 2 plus years of ministry with you as an intentional interim pastor. You welcomed me in the summer of 2014 after the departure of two beloved pastors, and I then undertook the call to intentional interim ministry among you. I felt called to serve the Oxford Presbyterian Church for a time such as this. That has remained constant for me in my time here.
I am grateful for many things in my time with you: for the friendships, for the worship we have shared, for the times you have welcomed me into your homes and lives, for the times we have wrestled together about the church's calling, and for the grace and forgiveness you have extended me when I needed that. I am especially grateful for your prayers and for the privilege of sharing with those of you who have faced losses and sadness, as well as the joys of life.
One of my favorite hymns expresses my thoughts and feelings about my time of service among you, the hymn "Together We Serve."
Together we serve, united by love,
Inviting God's world to the glorious feast.
We work and we pray through sorrow and joy,
Extending God's love to the last and the least.
I use that phrase intentional with purpose. The last two years have been purposeful. We have been on a journey together asking some key questions: Who are we? Who are our neighbors? What is God calling us to do? I hope that God has been at work among us all as we have sought responses to those questions. I believe that is the case. At the same time, those questions never lose their importance for a congregation seeking to respond to the presence and voice of God who is always calling to us.
As I think about all the people who have served with me and encouraged me and been patient with me here, I need to acknowledge several groups and individuals. First, the staff of OPC has been outstanding. When I arrived there was a large transition going on that has continued. All the staff who have served with me have been supportive not only to me but also to the mission of the whole church.
Bridgite, Priscilla, and Patty make a difference each week in the church's ministry. I urge you to thank them also when you see them.
The members of the choir know how much I love and appreciate them. Kent Peterson our Music Director and Lynn Jacobs our Organist, know how much I value them as colleagues and as incredibly gifted musicians. The leadership groups of this church- Elders, Deacons, Trustees- have been exceptional to serve with, as they have given generously of their time and their talents. And where would we be without the faithful service of Sunday School Teachers, Carol Klumb's message to our children each Sunday in worship, and to all those who have made our Lenten Studies so well received.
Sunday by Sunday, the Ushers and Greeters cheerfully welcome us all to worship. Those who count the offerings and offer responsible stewardship of our offerings are not seen by many in the church, but their service too is valued. I have long appreciated the mission leadership and ministry of Presbyterian Women, and OPC has demonstrated again and again how vital PW is in the life of this church. The CCNS Preschool has undergone transition in my time here, and I believe Sarah Mapel is leading the school forward in an exciting way. I am also grateful for the faithful work Nancy Moeckel does each month in preparing this newsletter.
Most of all, I am grateful for each member and friend of this church. Each Sunday that we share the peace and each occasion that we greet each other, I am reminded of the imagination of God, who entrusts to us the mission to reflect God's love in the way we live together as the body of Christ.
You are the church! God is calling you into an exciting new chapter of life and ministry here in Oxford. You are salt and light. You are the people of God for this time!
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FROM OUR INTERIM ASSOCIATE PASTOR
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR CHERYL EDMONDS
Dear Members and Friends of Oxford Presbyterian Church,
I look forward to working with you through my last day, World Communion Sunday, October 2, as we prepare for the coming of your new pastor.
I have received great joy through my work with you over the last year and a half.
Two Youth Group Mission trips and a bonus Confirmation Retreat and Mission Trip are at the top of my list of great experiences. I got a chance to see OPC young people blossom as they stepped outside their comfort zones to engaged with God, with each other, and with youth from around the country in great experiences of service. I had the privilege of working with Jenn Burns and supervising three of the most wonderful college students I have ever met (Robert Garret, Ben Baughman, and Mitch Hardy.)
What a challenging and rewarding experience it was for me to work with eleven confirmands and their mentors. I will miss them greatly and will pray for them as I think of them often in the years ahead.
I am excited to pass off to the Taize Team responsibility for OPC's newly developing Taize Prayer Evenings. They are enthusiastic and well equipped to assist the new pastor in carrying on this new ministry. Special thanks are due especially to Kent Peterson, who has nurtured the college musicians and the OPC choir into this new endeavor and to Lynn Jacobs for such a willing spirit of cooperation. You are so fortunate to have such amazing musical resources across the street at the university besides in the choir loft and at the organ bench each Sunday morning.
The Christian Education program at OPC has some of the most dedicated and faithful teachers and volunteers. I look forward to hearing how learnings from Jason Santos and the PCUSA Big Tent event are incorporated into the future shape of Christian formation at OPC.
Last, but far from least, I have always looked forward to leading the Adult Spirituality Group that has rarely missed a Monday evening since we began. We read a lot of books, shared a lot of our lives, and practiced community together in a way I hope will continue on after my departure.
A special thanks to all who shared their life with me in pastoral visits and over communion and to the Deacons of OPC who I admire greatly for the small (but actually quite big) things they do daily to care for people in the community and the members of OPC.
My gratitude and prayers will be with the MEF Committee as they continue to discern how to support and nurture a fresh college ministry.
I will be your pastor until my last day with you, but on that day I must say good-bye and pray that God's richest blessing be with you as all of us begin a new chapter of our journey.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Cheryl Edmonds
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We welcome your feedback on the newsletter. We CRAVE your feedback as much as a snug bug craves a rug. What is missing from the newsletter that you would like to see? Let me know. Thanks, nancy. moeckenj@miamioh.edu
(and here's your bonus for reading this section: Have you ever tried to eat a clock. It's very time consuming!)
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