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Keith
September 2019
Interpreter An Open & Affirming Congregation
Th
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~ A Note From The Minister I grew up believing sin as the worst that we do, but
the heartbreaking truth is sin is always insinuating
itself into the best that we do and the holiest we
know. The warning sign of any cause, regardless of
its initial moral thrust, goad us, in the words of
Shakespeare, “to sin in loving virtue.”
In Jesus’ parable on the “Wheat and Weeds,” the
boss, when told that weeds have been planted among
the wheat, sown by an enemy in the wee hours of the
morning, replies, “No matter. Do not let that
consume you. Let them grow together. At the
harvest, we will straighten things out.”
I find myself tempted to assume my “wheatiness.” I
also know that I am more likely half wheat and half
weed. I also know that when I am most like wheat, I
am most vulnerable to the vicissitudes of judgment
and accusation. When, without humility, if I am
right, I will choose as my first course to pull up the
weeds around me, the ones who steal my sunlight,
the ones who irritate me and threaten my ideology.
My sense of rightness overtakes me.
What I missed is the nature of the enemy, that the
enemy in the night has deliberately sown weeds
among the wheat. He then leaves the field, the scene
of destruction, but confident that the damage he
intends will come to fruition. But how can he be so
sure? I sense the enemy understands the nature of
wheat, the “good folk.” They will do his job for him.
They will pull up the weeds and destroy the wheat as
well. The enemy does not have to worry if his intent
will be successful. It is a given—good folks
becoming bad folks by trying to put bad folks out of
business.
These days, these perilous days, I continue to think
and act from a perspective that fits me spiritually. I
rarely question my beginning assumptions. As a
person who mentions faith on a regular basis to my
congregation, I still marvel at my inability to nail
down this rabbi from Nazareth, this golden child of
responsible, righteous anger, who sweeps his sacred
space clean of charlatans making a buck of
pre-packaged temple souvenirs.
What I say and how I say it cannot be
overemphasized these days. How do I express my
convictions without adding to the toxicity of the
situation? Without some measure of humility, my
faith is subject to spotting. What if faith is best
expressed as grace, a quiet noun, experienced as a
verb. What if I rest under its soft shadow and
inviting light with little consideration of judgment?
What if I simply warmed myself with the thought
that the ugliest of my scars will be kissed?
What if I raised the gate of my heart to those who, by
my estimation and dismissal, are lying in wait to hurt
me with their brand of religion? What if I engage a
wrong with as much love and blessing and
forgiveness as it takes to change my life for the
better?
I confess such humility has never been my sense of
how to improve my corner of the neighborhood—to
look at what I perceive as evil in the eye and give
back a blessing, to try and love people I would never
invite home for Sunday dinner. When was the last
time I extended toward other people’s pain and
disappointment, even when I see them misbehaving
out of it? When was the last time I embraced them
and their stories without judgment? What if I have
been wrong in a way I never imagined—when the
need to be right supersedes and proves more
promising than any consideration of kindness?
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~ Notes From Council August Meeting Moderator Laura Emmer called the meeting to order. Joys and concerns were shared by Council members
and Keith Stuart led the opening prayer.
Minister’s Report
Keith made 679 contacts in July and August by telephone, email or visitation.
Treasurer’s Report
Total income for the month of July was $33,761 and expenses were $38,501.
We are at 62% of our pledged income, compared to 57% at this time last year.
Christian Education
Work is progressing on implementing the Godly Play Sunday School curriculum.
Other Business
Memory Loss Is Preventable, presented by Nate Bergman is Sunday, September 8, at 6:00 p.m.
Georgann Yonkers assumed the position of Coffee Hour coordinator.
The Church Picnic is September 15.
The Christmas Pageant is December 8.
Still receiving bids on repairing the roof.
Respectfully submitted,
Kurt Wiant, Council Clerk
DID YOU MOVE, CHANGE YOUR PHONE
NUMBER OR EMAIL?
Please keep the church office
informed of changes in your address,
phone number or email.
We use your email to send out the
Church Mouse and our monthly
newsletter.
CHECKS TO DOVER CHURCH
~ The church office receives many
checks over the course of a month.
Many are just made out to Dover
Church with no indication as to what it is for.
Articles of 150 words or less about
your group’s activities & events
(submissions will be edited for clarity and length).
The deadline for submissions
for the October edition is
Monday, September 23.
PASSAGES
We extend joyful congratulations to
Maria Velez and Aida Colon who were married by Rev. Keith
on August 25.
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~ For Your Information BOOK GROUP
Monday, September 9, 1:30 p.m.
A Gentleman of Moscow
by Amor Towles.
In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is
deemed an aristocrat, and is
sentenced to house arrest in the
Metropol, a grand hotel across the
street from the Kremlin. Rostov has
never worked a day in his life, and must now live in
an attic room while some of the most tumultuous
decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the
hotel’s doors.
A Gentleman of Moscow is brimming with humor, a
glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully
rendered scene after another. It casts a spell as the
count endeavors to gain an understanding of what it
means to be a man of purpose.
We meet in the parlor. Our discussions are lively,
friendly and fun.
A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
EVENING BOOK CLUB
Monday, September 17 , 6:45 p.m.
Our September selection is The
Storyteller’s Secret by Sejal
Badani.
Nothing prepares Jaya for the heartbreak of her third
miscarriage and the slow unraveling of her marriage.
Desperate to assuage her grief, she decides to go to
India to uncover answers to her family’s past.
In India she learns about the “struggles, secret love,
and tragic fall of her pioneering grandmother during
the British occupation.” This beautifully written
novel portrays the “unrelenting force of love, the
power of healing, and the invincible desire to
dream.”
Please join us in the parlor for a lively discussion.
MICAH’S CAFÉ
Located in Dover Church’s old Bridal
Room, Micah's Cafe is serving fresh
brewed coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
Munchies are available too. We have
mints, almonds and biscotti.
All proceeds will go to mission projects. To help,
please contact Martha at [email protected].
Sunday, September 8, 6 p.m.
Dover Church
Dr. Nate Bergman, DO
Kemper House, speaker
Dr. Bergman will present
ways to achieve optimal brain
health for adults
at every age and stage.
For the first time, we are seeing research and results
that give hope in the fight to prevent and treat
cognitive decline. The key is knowing and getting
ahead of it early!
The program is for anyone who is interested in
improving their cognitive health, at risk for
developing cognitive decline or living with
dementia and needing guidance.
Sign up at our Hub and invite your
friends and family.
Coming in October
Dover Watercolorists Art Show & Sale
Sunday, October 20, during coffee hour.
Hosted by the Dover Watercolorists
who meet at Dover Church
Refreshments will be served.
Open to the public at 11:30 a.m.
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~ For Your Information
~ On Dover’s Website
www.doverucc.org
~ PLAY IT AGAIN ~ Want to hear Keith’s terrific sermon again? At the home page, click on the
‘Who We Are’ drop down tab and select Worship Services & Sermon, then Sermon
Archive.
~ CONTRIBUTIONS ~ To make your contributions to Dover Church: at the home page click on the
‘Supporting Dover-Our Offerings’ drop down tab and follow the directions.
~ PICTURES~ Photos of current church activities are posted under pictures. To have your activity included,
just email photos to the church office.
~ Christian Education
The Christian Education program is
excited to debut our new curriculum,
Godly Play in September. Join us on
Sunday, September 15 for an Open
House to learn more about our new
program model. The Open House will follow
worship, and conclude before the church picnic
begins.
Our classrooms will be open for you to view and
explore, while a storyteller will lead a sample story
for those in attendance.
This method focuses on mindful storytelling while
using physical representations of characters to allow
the children to visualize the story as it’s being told.
Students will be asked “I wonder” questions to foster
active thought processes, and engage them in faith
development.
It is our hope to create a sacred experience for our
young ones as they develop their faith. We are
excited for this new beginning, and hope you will
join us on September 15 to learn more about it.
Craig and Meghan Jenkins
“BE OUR GUEST”
CHURCH PICNIC
Sunday, September 15,
12:00 - 2:30 p.m.
An afternoon of Food and Fun!
Great Food, Good Friends,
Balloon Art, Bounce House,
Yard Games, Crafts, & More!
Hamburgers, Hot Dogs &
Fixn’s provided.
Bring a covered dish to share.
This Year’s Grill Masters:
Jeff Hughes & David Knoepp
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BLESSING BAGS
Blessing Bags are totes filled with basic
necessities including: hygiene products,
water, a blanket, socks, underwear and
‘meals ready to eat.’
Please take one if you drive where the homeless are
asking for help; you’ll be able to help on the spot.
You’ll find them in Thomas Hall.
STREET MINISTRY
Our next outing for Street Ministry will be Sunday,
October 20, after worship.
We always take food to share with those on the
street. If you don’t feel comfortable going on an
outing, please consider donating sandwiches or
soup. And, we have a dedicated group of sorters
who take your donated clothing and sort it into sizes
and types. To volunteer, contact Bette English
at 440-835-5235.
Please, do not donate any clothing, toiletries or
underwear we have enough and no more room for
storage.
~ Mission & Caring ~ For Your Information
MEN OF DOVER RETIRED
(OR NOT) LUNCH
The third Tuesday of each month
at 12:00 Noon
join us at Mahle’s Restaurant on
Detroit Road in Westlake.
A time to enjoy a good lunch
and the fellowship of other Dover UCC men.
Reservations not needed.
SEPTEMBER GATHERING
A CONVERSATION WITH KEITH
Monday, September 23
at 7:00 p.m.
in Thomas Hall
Dover women, get your questions ready, it is time to
ask the pastor, and your probing questions will help
guide the conversation.
Soul Sisters is a monthly gathering of the women
who attend Dover Church. All are invited and
encouraged to attend. Hope to see you there!
Lanni Lantery,
PRAYER GROUP
Dover’s prayer group will begin meeting
on Wednesday, September 11, at 9:45 a.m.
Traditionally the group meets for a brief
study and to pray for people and concerns
of the church.
The group, led by Rev. Keith and Parish Nurse Julie,
will discuss other prayerful options for the coming
year. You are invited to join in exploring these new
possibilities.
NEIGHBORS IN NEED OFFERING
The neighbors in Need offering supports
the UCC’s ministries of justice and
compassion throughout the United
States.
Information and an envelope will be in your bulletin
on September 29 and the offering will be received on
October 6.
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~ From the Parish Nurse
MEMORY LOSS CAN BE PREVENTED STARTING NOW!
Finally, we are starting to hear good news about the
treatment of memory loss. It can be prevented. It is
not a hopeless situation and a normal or expected
part of aging.
Research and results are giving us hope to fight and
prevent cognitive decline. According to the Chief
Scientific Wellness Officer for Kemper Cognitive
Wellness, Dr. Nate Bergman, the key is knowing and
getting ahead of it early. In fact, the younger we start
the better.
According to the CDC, 60% of adults fear memory
loss. We fear memory loss more than we fear loss of
physical abilities. One reason for this, is the
unfortunate perception that this decline is
untreatable, inevitable and hopeless.
We have seen, and maybe personally experienced the
devastation that severe cognitive impairment, such as
that seen with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease can
bring. Not all cognitive impairment is Alzheimer's,
and not all cognitive impairment is severe. About 6
million Americans do have Alzheimer's, but an
additional 16 million are living with some level of
cognitive impairment.
Part of the solution lives in the field of functional
medicine, a model described as an individualized,
patient-centered and science-based approach
empowering patients and practitioners to work
together in order to address the underlying causes of
disease and promote optimal wellness. A functional
medicine practitioner will incorporate modalities
such as nutrigenomics, studying an individual’s
interaction between nutrients and their genes,
pathophysiology and biochemistry to optimize
function.
Dr. Bergman specializes in this type of medicine. He
has worked closely with Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Dale
Bredesen and other notable experts in the prevention
and treatment of cognitive decline. He has a passion
for preventing memory loss that is personal. He
himself went to a neurologist as a younger adult in
his mid-30s because he was experiencing progressive
and scary memory problems. While he initially tried
to dismiss the problem, it reached a level of being so
alarming he could no longer ignore it.
The final straw came when Dr. Bergman could not
remember his own address while making
arrangements for an auto repair. The good news is
that he learned how to treat this problem, and
succeeded in turning it completely around with
adjustments in several lifestyle habits.
Sunday September 8, 2019 at 6pm, Dr. Bergman
will share his story, as well as insights and expertise
in the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline.
This informative program will be hosted here at
Dover UCC. More good news: It is free and open to
the public, although reservations are required by
calling Virginia at 440-871-1050
Dr. Bergman's message is important for adults of
ALL ages. As mentioned, he himself benefitted
when he was in his mid-30s. He mentions that
women in their 50s especially have great potential of
creating positive impact, during this time of
hormonal change. Again, the key is knowing and
getting ahead of it early.
We hope to see adults of all ages in attendance.
Blessings, Julie Kiefer RN
Permission to reproduce this article written for
Westlake/Bay Village Observer was given
by the author, Lydia Gadd, Director of Westlake
Center for Community Services.
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Informal Worship in the Chapel ................................ 8:15 a.m.
Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary ...................... 10:00 a.m.
The first Sunday, children & youth are in worship.
Coffee Hour ............................................................. 11:00 a.m.
Worship Schedule
1 8 15 22 29
Greeters Sue Jachnick
Martha Vivona
Sue Jachnick
Martha Vivona
Lois Berriker
Sheri Tool
Lois Berriker
Sheri Tool
Lay
8:15 a.m.
Mary Mann
8:15 a.m.
Roberta Leach
8:15 a.m.
Noreen Thompson
8:15 a.m.
Pete Thompson
8:15 a.m.
Judy Askin
Reader 10:00 a.m.
Jeff Hughs
10:00 a.m.
Millie Harley
10:00 a.m.
Laura Emmer
10:00 a.m.
David Kaschak
10:00 a.m.
Amy Keller
Media
Sharron
Wilkins
Walter
Kalix
David
MacKeigan
Dave
Kuhar
Flowers
Erna
Kloos
Rae-Rita
Chomoa
Lucy Bufkin
Jacquie DelMonte
Leita
Spencer Open
Coffee
Hour
Cynthia
Stuart
Lauren Falcone
Sue O’Neil
Sharron & Don
Nichols
Georgann
Yonkers Open
~ Worship Ministry
Ushers
September Lucy Bufkin, Jacquie DelMonte, Ruth Kroll, Dorothy Pastura, Carol Riordan
Please pray for God to be with these individuals, and for them to feel God’s presence in the
midst of their concerns:
Marilyn Ashbaugh, Marie Black, Emily Borocz-Johnson, Gerrard (friend of Kevin Kurth),
Mary Gerdel, Sofia Greer (friend of Jeff & Amanda Hughes), Paul Horning, Nanci Keller
(Amy Keller’s mother-in-law), Jason (David Wakelee’s partner), Rev. Tom Madden (dear
friend of Lois & Marilyn), Helen Libens, Shirley Lustek, Guy Mann (Jim Mann’s father),
Jeff Matos (friend of Jan Jones), Gail Mendel (Bobby Mendel’s mother), Les Nichols, Melissa Nolan, Tanya
Popi (Dover Church Custodian), Patty Porter (friend of Jane & Larry Coil), Karen Pittak (Lindsey Kaschak
Pittak’s mother-in-law) Susan Reynolds (sister of Denece Praeger) Linda Reynolds, Donna Shiley, & Pat
Daily (friends of the Koehlers) Ruth Schneider, Jennifer Shultz (friend of Lauren Falcone), Helen Sima
(neighbor of Kevin Kurth), Mateo Smith-6 years old (family friend of Deanna Dunbar), Winnie Streicher
(neighbor of Betty & Mike English), Robin Thomas, and 18 month old Evelyn Turk (child of a friend of
Lauren Falcon).
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Rev. Keith Stuart ...........................................Pastor
Rev. Scott Patterson ...................... Pastor Emeritus
Rev. John Rinehart .................... Minister of Justice
Craig Reynolds............................... Music Director
Jan Jones ................................................... Organist
Vicki Thompson........................................ Organist
Virginia Lockmeyer ....... Administrative Secretary
Gail Schuenemann ...................Financial Secretary
Julie Kiefer, R. N. ............................. Parish Nurse
Serving the Church
Laura Emmer ........................... Council Moderator
Kathleen Poe ................... Council Vice Moderator
Kurt Wiant ....................................... Council Clerk
Larry Coil .................................. Council Treasurer
Martha Vivona ..................................... Lay Leader
Meghan & Craig Jenkins .................. CE Directors
Amanda & Jeff Hughes ................. Youth Advisors
Katie Alexander and
Georgann Yonkers ............ Assist. Youth Advisors
Katie Alexander .................................... Child Care
The vision of Dover UCC is to seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God.
OPEN AND AFFIRMING STATEMENT
Dover Congregational United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming congregation. We affirm
that God’s grace is available to all. We welcome people of all ages, genders, races, views, abilities,
sexual orientations, expressions and identities, ethnic, educational and economic backgrounds into the
full life and ministry of our church. We declare this in the name of God, whose Son, Jesus Christ,
welcomed all people into God’s circle of grace.