Posts
Monday, July 25, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
ALL ARE WELCOME – INSPIRATIONAL SINGING
Come Make Joyful Noise in Song and Bible Study
Outreach and Local Missions calls you to reach out to the Norma Herr Women's Center, a shelter for women in Cleveland. Ms. Pat Nelson has devotedly remained in contact with them, delivering our donations and leading inspirational singing. The shelter has been relocated and undergone administrative changes. The monthly shelter visiting day for UCUMC has been changed to the 4th Sunday of the month at 3pm, by request of the participants. Therefore, the next meeting will be held on Sunday July 24th from 3-4:30pm at Norma Herr Women's Center, 2227 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, 44114. Come along to extend some cheer and sing a few songs.
We will visit the shelter on the 4th Sunday of each month. Donations of toiletries and healthy treats are greatly appreciated; contributions are collected in the church office.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Gay-Straight Alliance group of University Circle UMC holds an after-worship potluck for all interested persons Sunday, July 17
Cool Summer Events (UPDATED!) at University Circle United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 17 – Rev. Ben Magee preaches at 10AM service – GSA Potluck After Worship: Our newly forming Gay-Straight Alliance group holds an after-worship potluck for all interested persons. Bring a dish to share and meet in the Great Hall immediately following worship. Beverages and table service will be provided.This meeting provides an opportunity to get to know one another better and to share our individual stories of how we became interested in the human rights issues facing the GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender and questioning) community. This informal meeting time is open to all interested persons, both within and outside of our church family. Please let the church office know if you will attend.
Sunday, July 24 – Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner preaches at 10AM service – Picnic in the Circle: Immediately following worship all interested persons will join together for a picnic lunch in the park (across from Judson Manor and adjacent to our parking lot). Bring your own picnic food and the church will provide ice cream, paper plates and utensils. When our meal is finished, take advantage of the many offerings of events in the Circle. See the bulletin insert Sunday or CLCK HERE for an RSVP FORM. Reservations are needed.
Saturday, July 30 – Rebuilding Together Cleveland (RTC), 8am-4pm: Our UCUMC work group will help RTC paint and fix up a home in Cleveland. Please sign up in the church office. For more information about the project, contact Doug Blank (dblank3ATgmail.com) or go on line to www.rebuildingtogethercleveland.org. UCUMC member Bob Taylor can be seen in the slide show on this website.
Sunday, July 31 – Rev. James Longsworth preaches at 10AM service – Help with Neighborhood Lunch; information will be on bulletin board outside the church office.
Sunday, August 7 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 10AM, Communion Service
Sunday, August 14 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 10AM
Wed., August 17 – 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner for Grace and Ken Chalker. Hold this evening for a lovely time set aside to recognize our pastor and his wife. Members of our church family were sent information about this event in the mail. Please send in your RSVP (due August 1st) or contact the church office if you have questions.
Sunday, August 28 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 10AM service – Celebrate our "Corny" Circle Sunday: Immediately following worship we'll gather outside to enjoy a corn roast and all kinds of corny activities like corn hole games, corny jokes, and more fun for all adults and children. More details to follow!
– Help with Neighborhood Lunch following the Corny Event; information will be on bulletin board outside the church office.
Wed., August 31 – UCUMC HandsOn Volunteers will help at the Cleveland Foodbank from 6-8PM. To participate, volunteers must have participated in the HandsOn orientation program. Please contact Doug Blank (dbland3ATgmail.com) for more information so you can become part of the HandsOn network and the growing outreach effort of our church.
Sunday, Sept. 4 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 10AM Service
Sunday, Sept.11 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 11AM Service of Remembrance
Sunday, Sept. 18 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 11AM Service
– Kickoff activities follow the worship service.
Cool Summer Events (UPDATED!) at University Circle United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 17 – Rev. Ben Magee preaches at 10AM service – GSA Potluck After Worship: Our newly forming Gay-Straight Alliance group holds an after-worship potluck for all interested persons. Bring a dish to share and meet in the Great Hall immediately following worship. Beverages and table service will be provided.This meeting provides an opportunity to get to know one another better and to share our individual stories of how we became interested in the human rights issues facing the GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender and questioning) community. This informal meeting time is open to all interested persons, both within and outside of our church family. Please let the church office know if you will attend.
Sunday, July 24 – Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner preaches at 10AM service – Picnic in the Circle: Immediately following worship all interested persons will join together for a picnic lunch in the park (across from Judson Manor and adjacent to our parking lot). Bring your own picnic food and the church will provide ice cream, paper plates and utensils. When our meal is finished, take advantage of the many offerings of events in the Circle. See the bulletin insert Sunday or CLCK HERE for an RSVP FORM. Reservations are needed.
Saturday, July 30 – Rebuilding Together Cleveland (RTC), 8am-4pm: Our UCUMC work group will help RTC paint and fix up a home in Cleveland. Please sign up in the church office. For more information about the project, contact Doug Blank (dblank3ATgmail.com) or go on line to www.rebuildingtogethercleveland.org. UCUMC member Bob Taylor can be seen in the slide show on this website.
Sunday, July 31 – Rev. James Longsworth preaches at 10AM service – Help with Neighborhood Lunch; information will be on bulletin board outside the church office.
Sunday, August 7 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 10AM, Communion Service
Sunday, August 14 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 10AM
Wed., August 17 – 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner for Grace and Ken Chalker. Hold this evening for a lovely time set aside to recognize our pastor and his wife. Members of our church family were sent information about this event in the mail. Please send in your RSVP (due August 1st) or contact the church office if you have questions.
Sunday, August 28 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 10AM service – Celebrate our "Corny" Circle Sunday: Immediately following worship we'll gather outside to enjoy a corn roast and all kinds of corny activities like corn hole games, corny jokes, and more fun for all adults and children. More details to follow!
– Help with Neighborhood Lunch following the Corny Event; information will be on bulletin board outside the church office.
Wed., August 31 – UCUMC HandsOn Volunteers will help at the Cleveland Foodbank from 6-8PM. To participate, volunteers must have participated in the HandsOn orientation program. Please contact Doug Blank (dbland3ATgmail.com) for more information so you can become part of the HandsOn network and the growing outreach effort of our church.
Sunday, Sept. 4 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 10AM Service
Sunday, Sept.11 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 11AM Service of Remembrance
Sunday, Sept. 18 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 11AM Service
– Kickoff activities follow the worship service.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Gale Force Winds - Previously posted on OneCoolGod.com
Gale Force Winds
Folks in the know along the Western basin of Lake Erie say that they haven’t seen anything like it in more than 10 years. The present cold front with its continuous, strong, southwest winds – and gusts approaching 50mph – has literally blown the water east.
Boats in the marina where we keep our boat are either in the mud or lying on their sides on dry land. The water has gone out from underneath them…as much as 6 feet of it! One might think someone pulled a plug on Lake Erie! Actually, the water has been “sloshed” east. I hope it comes back soon!
In addition to the weather story today, the news brings reports of Iran’s successful launching of medium range rockets. The country seeks to militarily powerful.
Perhaps a true lesson in real power is in the forces which can take a Great Lake and “drain” its waters. We need perspective in life. It would make all of us more humble before the Creator of this universe and the Creator’s power.
There is an ancient story of how God delivered God’s people from slavery in Egypt by parting the waters of the Red Sea. My view of Lake Erie’s Western Basin this afternoon teaches me that such stories of the workings of God are absolutely true. Talk about power.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Vatican document on the reorganisation of U.S. dioceses - Vatican Insider
A "classic" negative example of the reorganisation linked to the economic problems is that of Cleveland, where the Holy See has decided to send an apostolic visit, or rather, an investigation to look into whether the decisions taken by the Bishop Ordinary Gerard Lennon were adequate. He announced that 29 parishes will close and another 41 will be merged. The restructuring plan which will cut 52 parishes out of 224 is already in effect. Other cities in which word about closure has been heard are Camden, New Jersey, Allentown, Pennsylvania and New York City. The reasons that prompted the decision to close parishes in Cleveland have been the flow of population to outlying areas, the financial difficulties that have seen 42% of parish budgets finish in the red and the shortage of priests. Now this last point is questioned by the Vatican and the apostolic visit will serve to ascertain the facts. The Vatican has asked Lennon to stop his policy of savage cuts. In Boston, amongst many other controversies, he closed 60 parishes. So far the Vatican has not had any luck.
Library changes underway at University Circle United Methodist Church
The room designated as our church library just down the hallway from the church office is undergoing a face lift. It is being converted to a family-friendly room for persons with infants and toddlers to use on Sunday mornings, complete with an audio-video feed of the worship service. During other times, it will continue to be used as a multi-purpose room for meetings and small events. Many of the resources currently housed in the library room will be moved to the "Seminar Room" inside the chapel.
Monday, July 4, 2011
UCUMC members Larry & Elaine Myers Grand Marshals of Berea Grindstone Festival Parade on Sunday, July 3rd
Berea's Grindstone winners give back to the city
BEREA This year’s Grindstone Award winners offer a heartfelt reason why they chose to live — and volunteer — in Berea.
“It really feels like home,” said Elaine Myers, who, together with husband Larry, was a 2011 Grindstone Award winner.
The couple will be honored at the April 19 award dinner at the Crown Plaza Airport Hotel.
Each year, the Berea Chamber of Commerce seeks nominations to name someone as the winner each year. Several nominated the two for the award.
“Whenever there is a Berea community event, the Myers will probably not only be in attendance but will be there assisting in some capacity,” wrote Harl and Barbara Evans. “They are tireless supporters of our community and its residents.”
Friday, July 1, 2011
Summer Events at University Circle United Methodist Church
Sunday, July 10 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 10AM service
Sunday, July 17 – Rev. Ben Magee preaches at 10AM service – GSA Potluck After Worship: Our newly forming Gay-Straight Alliance group holds an after-worship potluck for all interested persons. Bring a dish to share and meet in the Great Hall immediately following worship. Beverages and table service will be provided.This meeting provides an opportunity to get to know one another better and to share our individual stories of how we became interested in the human rights issues facing the GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender and questioning) community. This informal meeting time is open to all interested persons, both within and outside of our church family. Please let the church office know if you will attend.
Sunday, July 24 – Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner preaches at 10AM service – Picnic in the Circle: Immediately following worship all interested persons will join together for a picnic lunch in the park (across from Judson Manor and adjacent to our parking lot). Bring your own picnic food and the church will provide ice cream, paper plates and utensils. When our meal is finished, take advantage of the many offerings of events in the Circle. See the bulletin insert. Reservations are needed.
Saturday, July 30 – Rebuilding Together Cleveland (RTC), 8am-4pm: Our UCUMC work group will help RTC paint and fix up a home in Cleveland. Please sign up in the church office. For more information about the project, contact Doug Blank (dblank3ATgmail.com) or go on line to www.rebuildingtogethercleveland.org. UCUMC member Bob Taylor can be seen in the slide show on this website.
Sunday, July 31 – Rev. James Longsworth preaches at 10AM service – Help with Neighborhood Lunch; information will be on bulletin board outside the church office.
Sunday, August 7 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 10AM, Communion Service
Wed., August 17 – 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner for Grace and Ken Chalker. Hold this evening for a lovely time set aside to recognize our pastor and his wife. Members of our church family will soon receive more information about this event in the mail.
Sunday, August 28 – Dr. Chalker preaches at 10AM service – Celebrate our "Corny" Circle Sunday: Immediately following worship we'll gather outside to enjoy a corn roast and all kinds of corny activities like corn hole games, corny jokes, and more fun for all adults and children. More details to follow! – Help with Neighborhood Lunch following the Corny Event; information will be on bulletin board outside the church office.
Wed., August 31 – UCUMC HandsOn Volunteers will help at the Cleveland Foodbank from 6-8PM. To participate, volunteers must have participated in the HandsOn orientation program. Please contact Doug Blank (dbland3ATgmail.com) for more information so you can become part of the HandsOn network and the growing outreach effort of our church.
Outreach Update From University Circle United Methodist Church
Summer is here, but the Committee on Outreach and Local Mission is NOT on vacation.
Here's what we have been up to and how you can get involved:
Rebuilding Together, Cleveland - Saturday, July 30, 8am-4pm
Volunteers from "Rebuilding Together" will be painting and fixing up several homes in the Cleveland area. If you would like to be part of the UCUMC work group, please sign up in the church office. For more information about the project, contact Doug Blank (dblank3ATgmail.com), or speak to any of the many volunteers who participated in last year's workday. The website for the organization is: www.rebuildingtogethercleveland.org. Bob Taylor can be seen in the slide show.
Cleveland Foodbank - Wednesday, August 31, 6-8pm
Volunteers in the HandsOn network are welcome to participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities at any time. Our first volunteer opportunity as an "official" UCUMC Team will be Wednesday, August 31, 6-8pm at the Cleveland Foodbank. Remember, you must be a part of the HandsOn network to join us in this event. If you have planned or are planning on attending a HandsOn orientation session prior to August 31, please let Doug Blank (dblank3ATgmail.com) know if you would like to participate in the Foodbank volunteer event.
HandsOn Northeast Ohio - Tuesday, July 12, 6-7pm
"Thank you" once again to everyone who participated in the May 22 HandsOn Northeast Ohio orientation session held here at UCUMC. We have more than a dozen volunteers who are now officially a part of the HandsOn network of volunteers.
Orientation Sessions: For others who are interested in joining the HandsOn network, please register for an orientation session at www.handsonneo.org. A group of several UCUMC individuals will be attending the Tuesday, July 12 HandsOn session. If you would like to join us, please register online or contact Doug Blank (dblank3ATgmail.com) for more details.
Berea Children's Home
Thanks to everyone who sold and purchased Cleveland Indians tickets to support the Berea Children's Home. The $500 given here at UCUMC helped the Berea Children's Home receive $28,000 from the Indians organization.
University Circle UMC Communication and Music & Arts Surveys Results
In recent months, two surveys of our congregation were taken; one to identify how members most often receive communication about church events and the other to determine hopes and dreams for the music and arts program of the church. The staff and committees of the church are grateful to all respondents for providing suggestions that will help direct future programming.
Communication Survey
Nearly half of the worshiping congregation responded to the survey (more than 130 persons). Only one was received from a person less than 20 years of age. The largest group of respondents was between the ages of 51 and 70 (49%), while 8% were in the 31-40 age group, 14% in the 41-50 age group, and 27% in the 71+ age group. Of all the respondents, 71% indicated that they attend weekly and 27% attend twice a month. Of the 27% who attend twice a month or less, half were less than 50 years of age. The largest percentage of respondents live within 5-25 miles of the church, 16% live within 5 miles and 9% live more than 25 miles from the church.
The survey results showed that our Sunday bulletin is the number-one way people obtain information about church events and the number-one way they prefer to receive information (84%). The next highest communication tools were our web site and electronic newsletter. Although our newspaper, Outlook, is the least used tool, it is mailed every other month and therefore typically provides information about what has happened at the church rather than what is about to happen. Interestingly, 65% of our survey respondents asked for some kind of monthly news communication. It was also apparent from the results that a postal mailing of current church news and upcoming events is needed for persons who do not use computers.
As a result of this survey, the Outlook will soon become a monthly publication that persons can choose to receive on-line or have mailed. It will still be published by the publishing house of The United Methodist Church because they can do so much more affordably than we can. The subscription list will be reduced to the minimum allowable number to save mailing costs. Every effort will continue to be made to make our weekly electronic newsletter and bulletin announcements user-friendly.
Music & Arts Survey
This survey was completed by members of chancel, gospel and bell choirs, parents of singing children, youth and also by congregational members who do not participate in any of the church's performing arts. An overwhelming theme reported in the survey was an appreciation for the variety of music found at UCUMC (styles, composers, performances, instruments, etc.). Some persons requested more upbeat (less slow) hymns, and others want more well-known, traditional hymns. Some also mentioned that every verse of a hymn does not need to be sung.
In terms of musical hopes and dreams for our arts program, the survey comments reflected the diversity of our church membership. Comments ranged from, "Please give us less 'high church' music," "Too much traditional church music alienates me and makes me wonder why I am here," and "I want music that is uplifting and joyful; not 'I am waiting to die music'" to "We need more standard classics such as Messiah, Creation, and other music from Beethoven, Mozart and Bach."
Requests ranged from more gospel music that raises the roof to more orchestral music during services. Desires for opportunities that involve our youth, the addition of more contemporary Christian rock, jazz music and more contemporary dance were also on the wish list! Our Director of Music and Arts, Nathaniel Motta, has his work cut out for him as he attempts to satisfy all these varied wants and needs!
Gay-Straight Alliance group of University Circle UMC holds an after-worship potluck for all interested persons Sunday, July 17
