Mission Statement Adopted March 12, 2000 We are a family of many hearts and voices faithfully worshiping God. We encourage one another in our living, learning, and growing as God’s people. Led by the Holy Spirit, we joyfully promise to serve others as we share the love and hope of Jesus Christ.
February 2021
Newslet
ter
1/29/2021
606 N. Fifth Street
Vincennes, IN 47591 (812) 882-2720 stjohnsuccoffice@gmail.com Website: myucc.orgIn this issue
Notes from Our Pastors| Pg.1/2 Church Board president notes| Pg. 3 Church Board Highlights| Pg. 4
Calendar| Pg. 7/8
Birthdays & Anniversaries | Pg. 11 Concerns/Prayers| Pg. 11/12 In Sympathy | Pg. 13
Page 1
Pastors Ponderings
As we enter into the month of February we look forward to the season of Lent. Here are some things we want everyone to be aware of:On Sunday, February 14, St. John’s United
Church of Christ will resume in person worship. The Church Board has reassessed the issue and decided we should go back to in-person worship. The hope is that requiring
masks and social distancing will mitigate the risk of Covid. If you don’t feel
comfortable about getting out and meeting in a public place that is okay. We want everyone to be safe and feel comfortable with their choices. If you have any doubts, please stay home. The service will be available on the myucc.org sometime on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday School for all ages will meet at 9:30 am and Children’s Church will meet after the Children’s Message.
On Wednesday, February 17 at 7pm, the church will gather in the sanctuary for the Ash Wednesday Worship Service. This is the first day of Lent and is a time of repentance, healing and recovery. Due to the pandemic, the rituals and worship of this day maybe a bit different.
Lent has traditionally been the season when we promote and collect special
gifts for One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). This year’s theme is Let Love Flow. In a message to the churches of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson Associate General Minister for Wider Church Ministries and the Co-Executive of Global Ministries wrote:
When you share your gifts to OGHS, you Let Love Flow. Your generosity Ensures that, even in the midst of uncertainty, the transforming power of love will continue to change the lives of those who are most vulnerable among us.
Watch for more information about One Great Hour of Sharing in this newsletter and in the worship announcements.
Page 2
On a personal note, we learned in late December that we are to be grandparents for the first time. We are happy and excited. Our son Paul and his wife Ashley are expecting a baby girl to arrive in July.
Blessings,
Page 3
My Church Family in the Pandemic Age
At least for me the face to face meeting of Christians at church each Sunday is sometimes as strong as the formal worship
service. Sometimes the quiet or even noisy interactions before and after the service are the most memorable events of the morning. At St. John's we are certainly not like minded in life style, politics, daily activities, or family background - except for all the second cousins that seem to be in about every pew. Then came the Pandemic and where ever you stand on how it is being handled, hundreds of thousands of "extra" deaths have been caused, millions of workers have lost their jobs, businesses of all sizes are scrambling to survive, and for most people there is a void of personal
interaction. For me, the lack of just being in the same space with fellow worshipers - people we may never have known except for our sharing that space with the bigger than life Stained Glass Jesus at the door at the front of church, is gratifying. A picture is fine. A video is better. A memory is cool. But I really miss actually being in the same space with Stained Glass Jesus because I can't really share the
experience with others when we are not connected in person.
The Church Board has voted to open the church building. That should help some of us. The service won't be exactly the same on February, 14th as in the past. There will still need to be social distancing and masks. There won't be a choir for now, but there will be music. We won't shake the Pastors' hands at the end of the service. Some of us won't be willing or able to risk attending in person services. Those of us that do will need to remember those that can't or won't and work to include all our members and friends whether they are in the pews, on the internet, or in lock down at a care center. It will be work in progress that I hope we all will try.
Now, when we can do everything we want to do in our building in person all without a mask, THAT will call for a celebration. When we can see the smiles of fellow attendees, that will be the time we have really come out of the Pandemic and I pray every night that day comes soon.
Mark Lange
Page 4
New officers were elected at the Church Board meeting of January 18th.
Mark Lange will be President.
Mark Cummings was elected Vice President. Sheri Stodghill remains as Treasurer.
Megan Jennings was elected Secretary.
2021 new board members: Elaine Workman, Janet Daniels, Jill Lopez and Megan Jennings.
The board members thanked out going leaders, Peggy Meyer, Cindy Deckard, Mark Schutz, and Natasha Coomes.What a joy it was to work with such strong members.
The Board voted to resume in person worship starting February 14th at 10:30am. Video services will continue between now and the 14th and a recording of the live in person services will start February 14th and continue into the future.
With changes related to the new year and the Pandemic, we have a number of openings for committee
assignments. Interested? Contact the church office or email
Page 5
Christian Education Highlights
•Welcome to Megan
Jennings who has volunteered
to join our committee!
•
Since in
-
person worship is
set to begin on Sunday, February 14, we will also
have Sunday School beginning at 9:30 am that
Sunday.
As in the fall, there will be a class for
preschool/elementary school children and a class for
the middle/high school youth.
Adults will also
resume Sunday School.
Two adult classes are
offered.
Please feel free to drop in to either
class.
Children
’
s church will also resume on the 14th.
•
Activity packets are being sent to our families with
preschool/school aged children and youth.
Included
in the packet will be materials to create greeting
cards to be sent out for Valentine
’
s Day (or just
thinking of you, if preferred).
Names and addresses
are included in the packet.
Thank you to Natasha Coomes for her recent service
on our Christian Education.
Page 6
Sandy's Pantry
Sandy's Pantry serves the students at VU who are food challenged. As many of you have requested here is a list of items we can use for this vital mission.
THANK YOU!
Presently, we have an abundance of canned green beans
" Lord, when did we see you hungry…" "Feed my lambs."
Mac & Cheese (Boxed) Rice A Roni Canned Fruits (Peaches,
Pine-apple, Apple Sauce & Oranges) Canned Vegetables & Peas) (Carrots, Corn, Mixed
Ravioli
Pasta Pasta Sauces
Canned Soups (Chicken Noodle, Chicken & Rice, Tomato & Vegetable Beef,)
Canned Meats (Chicken, Turkey, Tuna & Vienna Sausages)
Beef Stew (canned)
Crackers (Boxed) Chili (Canned)
Cereals (Boxed) Ramen Noodles (In 5pk)
Oatmeal Popcorn
Jelly Milk (Room Temp. Shelf Stable)
Peanut Butter Pretzels
Hot Cocoa Mix (6pk) Fruits Bars
Instant Coffee (in jars) Banana Chips
Page 9
A Note From Evangelism and Membership
As Chairperson of the Evangelism and Membership Committee I would like to report that at the January Church Board
meeting the decision was made to reopen the church to in-person worship on Sunday, February 14. Several members of the congregation had asked when we would return to in-person worship. Some of our members have caught Covid-19 and hopefully have some immunity and others are in the process of receiving the vaccine, but since Covid-19 is not over the wearing of masks and social distancing will continue as in the past.
However, no one should feel that they should attend worship if they still have concerns about the risks of Covid-19. We will continue to offer online worship services on the church website: myucc.org Hopefully everyone will realize that we are doing things in a safe way. Hope to see you in worship on February 14th.
-Mark Schutz E&M Chairperson
Preschool News
We rang in the new year with noise makers and resolutions! We are mak-ing the best of 2021!
Our butterflies are moving along to writing their last names on their pa-pers using their name cards. We are so proud of how hard these kids are working!
The month is filled with fun projects and learning experiences .
Making ice cream sundaes, patterns with M&M’s and graphing with gum-my bears.
Enrollment for 2021-22 school year has begun. If you have not filled out a waiting list form for your child please contact Miss April. There are limited spots available for the coming year!
Page 10 Birthdays Daniel Goodman Mark Lange Derek Daniels Connie Coulter Brian Grove Peggy Meyer Hudson Heavner Kyle Doggett Dan Coulter Brenda Fillingim Ann Riley Garry Hall Caleb Schlag Ellery Miller Don Black Allison Cummins Mark Schutz Jeffrey Watts Harper Coomes Rylan Coomes Anniversaries
Paul & Adrienne Yochum John & Patty Jackson
PLEASE KEEP THESE HEARTS CLOSE TO YOURS WITH YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS:
Bridgepoint Health Campus 1900 College Ave. Rm 518 Betty Meyer
Colonial Assisted Living: Donna Cullison, Norma Meyer, Kenny Kixmiller
Willow Manor: Joy Tooley, Patty Lowe Fox Ridge Manor: Marilyn Magruder
The Villages at Oak Ridge (Washington): John & Patty Jackson,
Home: Ruth Witsman, Marge Beamon, Kennedy Alexander, Etta Snyder, Bill Lathrop, Jean Wells, Bev Tussey, Vic Meyer, Robin Root
Additional prayer request: , Rob Evans, Don Osborne, Jr., John Frenz, Dale Knotts, Cara Gilmore–Is home and reunited with all five children and Ian, her husband. God is good! Briar Gilmore is doing great and being spoiled by his siblings!
If you have friends or relatives you would like added to the newsletter prayer list, please call Janet Goodman (812) 887-2797 or the church office (812) 882-2720), or email church office at stjohnsuccoffice@gmail.com.
Page 11
A Note From Youth Ministries
Starting on Sunday, February 14, children age 4-12 are invited go upstairs into the blue classroom (former grades 1-3 class) for Children Church for stories, games and activities at the beginning of church. Preschool children are welcome to go to the nursery at this time also.
Although your child may already be attending Sunday school, Children’s Church offers these children an opportunity to learn more about God and our church. Volunteers to assist in aspects of Children’s Church are always welcomed and needed! If there are any questions please let Will Meyer know! Coronavirus precautions will be in place during Children’s Church.
As church activities start back up please look at the Children and Family Facebook group for up to date full detailsany upcoming activities.Please let Will Meyerknow about any of your questions.
If you have a caregiving need such as a hospital stay, a visit or desire
communion, please contact the church office, Janet Goodman (chairman of Caregivers) or any caregiver listed below. We would appreciate your help and want to make sure everyone is blessed by St. John's when you need it!
St. John’s UCC Caregivers- Ed and Brenda Cummings, Cindy
Deckard, Connie and Dan Coulter, Peggy Meyer, Ray Pieper, Terry and Janet Goodman, Lonny Vieck, Larry and Betsy Marchino .
Addresses for Shut-ins and Others
Fox Ridge Manor -150 Fox Ridge Dr, Vincennes Marilyn Magruder Rm. 140
(Please note rm. numbers are now required for mail at Fox Ridge)
Colonial -1622 S. Hart Street Road, Vincennes Donna Cullison, Norma Meyer, Kenny Kixmiller
Bridgepoint Health Campus 1900 College Ave. Rm 518 Betty Meyer
Willow Manor –3801 Old Bruceville Road, Vincennes Joy Tooley, Patty Lowe
The Villages at Oak Ridge -1694 Troy Rd, Washington, IN 47501 John and Patty Jackson, Room 511,
Lodge of the Wabash 723 Ramsey Rd, Vincennes, IN 47591
Kathryn Cole Home Ruth Witsman Etta Snyder Jean Wells Bev Tussey Kennedy Alexander Marge Beamon Vic Meyer Robin Root Page 12
Page 13
Prayers for the Lange family on the passing of Mark's father, Robert
Lange, on January 2nd. His passing was peaceful as he was able to
visit with the family via FaceTime. He had just celebrated his 94th
birthday two weeks prior. He served in the Navy during World
War II and graduated from Valparaiso University in 1949 and held a
graduate degree from the Chicago Conservancy of Music. Our
thoughts and prayers are with all of the family.
Our sympathies go out to Terry and Janet Goodman on the loss of
Terry’s sister, Diane. Prayers of comfort during this hard time.
Please keep the family of Jerri Johanningsmeier and Jill Lopez in
your prayers on the passing of their uncle Harold Johnson.
Page 14
One Great Hour of Sharing
Letting Love Flow Through Springs of Clean Water The COVID
-19 pandemic has taught us many things about what it means to be a global community. One of the most basic things we’ve been constantly reminded of is the importance of—washing our hands—in the battle to prevent infections disease. Hanh and her mom live in a poor rural village about 135 miles northwest of Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi. Hanh had no idea what a toilet was. Where she lives, people still use fields, bushes, and streams as their bathrooms. This situation is all too
common in many places in rural Vietnam and across southeast Asia. In September of 2018, latrine and water supply
improvements were brought to Hanh’s school. Since then, Hanh and her friends have had an exciting time experiencing modern latrines and clean water taps. . . and how these conveniences lead to better hygiene and, ultimately, better health. When you give to One Great Hour of Sharing, you are providing clean water for drinking and sanitation to children like Hanh and her schoolmates. As God’s compassion flows through you, your gifts will bring the promise of better health to children. Please give generously to support this important work.
N O N -PRO FI T U .S . PO STA G E PA ID PER M IT N O . 9 V IN C EN N ES , I N
