Shenkel United Church of Christ SHARINGS AND CONCERNS May 2012 SHENKEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1580 Shenkel Road Pottstown PA 19465 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Shenkel United Church of Christ’s “The NEWSLETTER” is a monthly publication prepared, edited, and mailed by the leadership and staff to all members and friends of the church. It communicates news about our life, purpose, and mission as a Church of Jesus Christ. Information related to our partnership as a member of the United Church of Christ and wider church/community out- reach is included on a regular basis. The Church is located at Unionville & Shenkel Roads in North Coventry Township.
Transcript
Shenkel United
Church of Christ
SHARINGS AND CONCERNS
May 2012
SHENKEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
1580 Shenkel Road
Pottstown PA 19465
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Shenkel United Church of Christ’s “The NEWSLETTER” is a monthly publication prepared, edited, and mailed by the leadership and staff to all members and friends of the church. It communicates news about our life, purpose, and mission as a Church of Jesus Christ. Information related to our partnership as a member of the United Church of Christ and wider church/community out-reach is included on a regular basis. The Church is located at Unionville & Shenkel Roads in North Coventry Township.
May 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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2
Agape: 7 PM
3
Community Lunch Bunch: 11:30 AM Choir: 7 PM
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5
6
Mensch Mill Open House: Noon to 5 PM
7 8
Quilters: 9:30 AM Spiritual Council: 7 PM Consistory: 7:30 PM
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Meeting : 7 PM
10
Choir: 7 PM
11 12
13
Youth Sunday
Healing Prayers
14 15
Mid-Day Dinner Club: Noon
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Prayer Shawl Ministry: 7 PM
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Healing Prayers: 9:15 AM
Card Making Class: 10 AM
Choir: 7 PM
18 19
20
Music Sunday
Youth Group after late wor-ship
Coventry Woods Festival: 1-5 PM
21 22
Quilters: 9:30 AM
23 24
Choir: 7 PM
25 26
27
Memorial Day Observance: 9:30 in the cemetery
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29 30
Music and Worship: 7 PM
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1580 Shenkel Road, Pottstown PA 19465 610.326.3535
Andrew Foss Newsletter Editor: Judy Embriani Assistant Editor: Jody Sweinhart Assistant Editor: Bill Baseley
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so
that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2
In other words, God is calling us to be positive deviants!
In 1991, the Jerry Sternin, the new Director of Save the Children in Vietnam, faced what
seemed like an insurmountable challenge. He was asked by government officials to create
an effective, large-scale program to combat child malnutrition and to show results within six
months. More than 65 percent of all children living in Vietnamese villages were malnour-
ished at the time.
Jerry and his wife invited the community to identify poor families who had managed to
avoid malnutrition even though they faced the same challenges and obstacles as their
neighbors and had no access to any special resources. These families were the positive de-
viants. They were “positive” because they were doing things right, and “deviants” because
they engaged in behaviors that most others did not.
Long story short - when others began to imitate the demonstrably successful but uncommon
practices being modeled by the positive deviants in their communities, the result was the
sustained rehabilitation of several hundred malnourished children and the promotion of so-
cial change in their communities.
I wonder how the world might be changed by followers of Jesus who are
“transformed by the renewing of our minds” (positive) and are not
“conformed to this world” (deviants)?
Be God’s,
Pastor Bonnie
SHENKEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
5/6
Bob & Barbara
Brown
Bob & Barbara
Brown
Early: Jody Sweinhart
Late: Barry Yocom
Communion Usher Leaders
Early: Lynne Moyer
Late: Andrew Foss
5/13
Youth Sunday
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
Early: Our Youth
Late: Our Youth
Early: Our Youth
Late: Our Youth
5/20
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
Early: Carol Pearson
Late: Faye Pedrick
Early: Lynne Moyer
Late: Ed and Faye Pedrick
5/27
NEED SPONSOR
David & Diane
Reinert
Early: Carol Pearson
Late: Lisa Yocom
Early: Ron & Carol Pearson
Late: Andrew & Linda Foss
* CUL = Communion Usher Leaders (will recruit members to assist in serving communion.)
PAGE 4
“Flours” is a collection of pantry
items or a monetary donation of your discretion to the Cluster. If a cash donation to the Cluster is made, a wheat arrangement will be placed on the altar. Altar flowers are $30.00 and bulletin dedications are $6.50. Food Sculptures are also gladly accepted.
The are many dates open for sponsorship and dedication dur-ing this and the upcoming months. Please complete one of the special flower/bulletin envelopes below the sign-up chart, enclose your payment, and either put it in the collection plate or in the Secretary’s box by the office door. You should sign your name on the chart in the narthex by the appropriate date after you have completed your envelope. Please do not sign the chart without completing an envelope.
Shenkel UCC celebrates
the sacrament of Holy
Communion at both ser-
vices on the first Sunday
of each month. Each time
communion is served,
some of the bread and
non-alcoholic wine that
has been consecrated at
the altar will be saved in a traveling communion kit,
ready to go to the homes or hospital rooms of mem-
bers who were unable to be present, and would like
to receive the sacrament. Please let Pastor Bonnie
know if you, or someone you know, would appreci-
ate “distance-communing” with their Shenkel
Church family!
The Adult Volunteers for our Children’s Church
Program for the next month are: May 6th David Derman .
May 13th Lara Faust
May 20th Connie Armbruster
May 27th Andrew Foss
June 3rd Linda Foss
We are in need of teenagers to help with this program. Please speak to Linda Foss if you can help.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION…. PAGE 5
Several Shenkel youth are attend-
ing National Youth Event in July &
are selling Wawa Hoagie Coupons
to fundraise for the cost of the
trip. Coupons are $4 each and are
good for 1 Shortie Hoagie at any
Wawa. Please talk to Kaleena
Sweinhart, Sam Pennell, Ben Mocarski, or Cameron
Dushanko to purchase your coupons!
Youth Sunday is scheduled for May 13 for both services!
The May meeting is scheduled for the third Sunday of the
month, May 20th. We’ll meet following the late service un-
til 1:30 pm. Bring $2.50/slice of pizza & $.25/soda.
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS:
May 6th — following the late service – rehearsal for
Youth Sunday
May 6th — Contemporary Christian Concert in Pottstown
May 13th -— Youth Sunday at both services
May 20th — following the late service – Youth Meeting
July 23rd — 7:30 am – 9 pm – Day at Ocean City
August 7th — Day at the Philadelphia Art Museum
August 29th — Day at Hershey Park
Don’t miss out on the fun!
MAY FRIENDSHIP DAY 2012
Pottstown's Church Women United will cele-brate May Friendship Day on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the Salvation Army Citadel at 6:30 PM.
The theme of this program is "Sights and Sounds of Harmony" - "Listening to My Sisters." We will share insights into our own heritage as we recognize how God brings us together from many generations, cultures and faiths to become "One in Christ's Love." For as we love each other in our differences we serve in a spirit of oneness. Please join us in Christian fellowship.
PHILLIES PHEVER….
The date has been set for the Reading Phillies!
The date has been set for our annual
Reading Phillies outing. Reserve the
date —August 16, 2012. Forty (40)
tickets have been ordered at $10.00
each, including transportation. Watch for the sign-up
sheet in the narthex. There will be no
steps to climb to our seats, and of
course, there will be fireworks! Contact
Ann Baccari, your resident Phillie
Phanatic, with any questions.
The Mensch Mill Camp &
Conference Center
begins its 2012 Summer Programs on June
24th. The Summer Camp season runs
through August 2nd. There are many oppor-
tunities for different kinds of special fun all
throughout the summer. To see all avail-
able, look for the camp brochure in the nar-
thex, on the social hall bulletin board, visit online at
www.menschmill.org, or call Barbara Sweinhart at 610-326-
1644. Don’t forget, Shenkel will reimburse campers for 50%
of their camper’s registration cost.
MENSCH MILL OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, May 6, Noon — 5 PM Mensch Mill will be open for an afternoon of fun,
including: Meet 2012 Summer Staff, Tours, Games and
Pony Rides, Hot Dog Roast, Arts and Crafts, Mini Chal-
lenge Course, Video—2012 Summer
Program, Dedication of Peace Poles
presented by New Goshenhoppen
UCC Outdoor Ministries. All visitor
will have a last chance to register for
camp at the ―Early Bird‖ rates! Come and bring your
friends!
April Consistory Highlights….
Reviewed Safe Church compliance
Learned that the youth are selling WAWA hoagie coupons as a fund-
raiser
Discussed possible nominees to fill the vacant deacon seat and to serve on the PRC (Note: If you are
interested, or have someone to recommend, please contact any member of Consistory.)
Heard about the plans for a “Children’s Church” type program being coordinated by Linda Foss that will
take place during the 10:45 service of worship.
Were reminded that Sue Fritz’s time with us as a seminary intern ends on May 6, and that the Lay Com-
mittee is working on a final evaluation
Complete copies of Consistory Minutes are available from the church office upon request.
ADMINISTRATIVE NEWS….
YTD Current Fund O.C.W.M.
Actual
27,962.96 2,571.00
Budget 37,725.32 3,750.00
Difference (8,762.36) (179.00)
DO YOU HAVE NEWS
FOR THE BULLETIN OR
THE NEWSLETTER?
Just a reminder that all bulletin announcements
should be at the church office by each Tuesday at
noon to be included in that week’s bulletin. News-
letter articles must be submitted by the 15th of
each month to be included in the next issue.
PAGE 6
As of March 31, 2012
Dear Shenkel Church Family Members,
A bright and cheerful “easy on the eye” two-page ques-
tionnaire has been compiled by our PRC for this year’s
annual church evaluation. The questionnaires are waiting
in the Narthex for you to pick up. The PRC is using this
written questionnaire to acquire descriptive information
from you, our members, that will support our Pastor’s
personal development, provide healthy communication
among our members, leadership and staff, and encourage
improvement of our church’s mission and ministry. We
ask that each individual complete a questionnaire and ei-
ther place it in the box located next to the questionnaires,
or give it to a member of the PRC.
Deadline is June 3rd.
If you would prefer to talk personally with a member of
the PRC rather than completing a questionnaire, please
speak to any member of the PRC.
With our sincere thanks for participating,
Pastoral Relations Committee
Carol Lykens, Freda Wanner, Dave Derman, Ted Gray,
Mary Lou Smith and Pastor Bonnie
The Music & Worship Com-
mittee is looking for someone
who has a good knowledge of
setting up audio systems and
that would be willing to learn
our new audio system and to coordinate setting
up the system, lining people up to help, etc. If
you are that technical person, please speak to
anyone on the Music & Worship Committee.
Thank you.
SHENKEL LOVES TO GIVE….
REMEMBER TOO….
The Pottstown Cluster Food
Bank collection at Shenkel is
the 1st Sunday of each month.
Please place your items in the
large plastic bins in the narthex.
AND...Please bring in your
used cell phones and empty ink cartridges and place
them in the box across from the nursery, or in the box
located on the coat rack shelf across
from the office. The cartridges are
recycled to Staples, and
the church receives credits toward the pur-
chase of office supplies. The used cell
phones are given to the police department
to be distributed to abused women.
The Cluster welcomes all cash, food and
clothing donations between the hours of
8:30 am to 12:00 pm on Monday through
Friday. Please come to the back door off
the alley. Parking spaces at the rear of the
building are reserved for people dropping
off donations.
Pantry Needs: canned soups and stews, canned and dry pasta,
canned fruit, canned vegetables, spaghetti sauce, sliced white
bread, peanut butter & jelly, boxed potatoes and meat helpers,
and nutritional snacks.
Contact Sherrie at 610 910 5995 with questions.
Clothes Closet and Housewares: toothbrushes/toothpaste,
will be enough materials prepared for everyone, please
call Ann Baccari at 610-323-5525, or Connie Arm-
bruster at 610-326-6516 if you plan to attend.
Hope to see you on May 17th.
PAGE 8
Mid-Day Dinner Club
Shenkel's Mid-day Dinner Club meets
at 12 noon on the third Tuesday of
each month – and you’re invited to
join us! The next meeting date is Tuesday, May 15th
and we’ll be eating at Applebee’s in Pottstown. The Mid
-day Dinner Club is open to young-at-heart adults of any
age who enjoy eating out and would like to get to know
other Shenkel members a little better. Call the church
office if you’re able to join us!
COMMUNITY LUNCH
BUNCH Thursday, May 3, 2012
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
COME ONE, COME ALL….
FOR: Lunch,* fellowship and a
fun auction.
At our May event, we will have lots of fun bidding on
wonderful “surprise” items. Everyone is asked to bring
a new or used item (in excellent condition only -- mini-
mum value of $3) that is all wrapped up in fancy style.
These “mystery items” will be auctioned off by our fa-
vorite auctioneer, Barry Yocom. All proceeds this year
will benefit the North Coventry Pantry.
*All participants are asked to contribute $6.25 to cover the cost of the lunch and the program. Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex, or call the Shenkel UCC church office at 610-326-3535 by the Monday prior to the program to reserve your spot.
For more information please call
Ruth Klein at 610-326-4520.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the
third Wednesday evening of each month
at 7 PM. The next get-together is on
May 16th. Anyone who likes to knit or
crochet is encouraged to come. We are
always looking for new members to help with this wonder-
ful ministry. You don’t have to be especially experienced,
just motivated. If you have any questions, please speak to
June Hartung at church, or call the church office at 610-
326-3535.
COVENTRY WOODS FESTIVAL at CAMP FERNBROOK Sunday, May 20, 2011
1:00 — 5:00 PM
Come, enjoy a Spring day at Camp Fernbrook! Shenkel UCC will have a
table at the festival to spread the word about our church. We need vol-
unteers to man the table for 1 hour shifts. Please call Jody Sweinhart at
610-326-3721 if you can help.
SHENKEL QUILTERS We are moving along on our new quilt, but I have
to admit, talking together about quilting ideas and the
neighborhood news makes the meetings go by so
quickly. This week we spent time talking about “the
fire," which I'm sure was on your minds too! The smell
of smoke filled Shenkel Valley this morning. By the
time you read this, let's hope we've had some measur-
able rain. It's been so dry this new year! May...hard to
believe! Our meeting dates for May will be Tuesday,
May 8th and Tuesday the 22nd at 9:30 in the Church
Social Hall. See everyone then! Margie Allen
PAGE 9
STEWARD’S CORNER
I just learned that Shenkel Church is almost 175 years old! WOW! It looks pretty good for its age.
(The people look pretty good too!) A couple weeks ago I was listening in on a meeting in the Agape
room. A dozen people were sitting around the table and talking about a lot of ideas to celebrate this
special occasion. They are a bunch of creative, fun-loving, hard working, people who also love their
church. Somebody left a list on the table, of the events and activities that they are planning, so I
guess it’s okay if I share them with you.
Actually, if you were in church on April 15th, for the Holy Humor service, you already saw the skit they presented.
So you have an idea of these terrific events to come in the months ahead.
May 27th – Memorial Day Recognitions
June 3rd - Guest speaker - Conference Minister – Rev. Judith Youngman
June 10th - Church picnic and games (And picture taking)
July ? - Possible Kayak/canoe trip on the Schuylkill River
August ? - Movie & popcorn (and hot dogs) night & (possible camp- out at the grove)
Sept. 9th - Rally Day (Pancake Breakfast) (Picture taking for directory)
Oct. 6th - All church birthday party
Nov. 11th - 175th anniversary day – church service and luncheon
(Previous Shenkel pastors will be invited to be our guests on various Sundays through this anniversary year.)
And lots more surprises to come! Maybe we’ll even get some special t-shirts! Stay tuned for “BREAKING
NEWS!”
ALL EXCITED,
STEWARD (the “Snitch”)
The Adult Sunday School Class meets
every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the social
hall. Everyone is welcome to join us!
MAY 6 - VIDEO FROM THE ARCHIVES
MAY 13 - “MY FAITH JOURNEY”
....ERIC MARTENS
MAY 20 - MUSIC SUNDAY
MAY 27 - TO BE ANNOUNCED
Memorial Day Observance
On Sunday, May 27, we will gather
at 9:30 a.m. in the cemetery for a
brief (10-15 minute) service of
prayer to remember and honor those who have
served our country and protected our freedom.
Join us!
The third Thursday of each month is a time for prayer and anointing, and also a time for reflection. We
will be meeting in the Agape Room from 9:15 till 10:00 AM. Anyone who is in need of prayer or anoint-
ing is invited to come.
The Prayer Chain list is being updated. At this point we will be removing all names currently on the list,
unless notified otherwise. Request for prayers should be placed in the prayer box in the Narthex, or get in
touch with any member of the Wholeness Committee. These names will be carried for one month unless notified otherwise. If
anyone is interested in ministering on the Prayer Chain, please contact Ann Baccari or Freda Wanner. Members of the Whole-
ness Committee are Ann Baccari, Ted Gray, Tootie and Louise Hine, June Hartung, Carol Stubbe and Freda Wanner.
Many, many THANKS to Evelyn Rodriquez for her generous leadership at the Carib-
bean Night Dinner held on April 21. We hope to report the outcome for the fund-raiser
to purchase new choir robes since our old ones are forty years old and in desperate need
of replacement. If you could not participate in Caribbean Night and sample Evelyn’s
marvelous food, please consider a donation to help defray the cost of these needed robes.
Each robe costs about $150…and with our growing choir membership, we need to pur-
chase about 35 robes. Thanks for your help.
Music Sunday is May 20. The Chancel Choir is going to sing two of the congregation’s favorite anthems from
this spring…Ruth Klein can tell which ones! The kids and the Chime Choirs will also be singing and playing
at this special service. Gustav Mahler once said: “If a composer could say what he had to say in words he
would not bother trying to say it in music.” This is a very special service filled with music…don’t miss it.
Thank you to all the choirs for their special talents during Lent and Easter. It’s hard work to prepare for this
season, and we appreciate the dedication of our church musicians. A special Thanks to Kaleena and Morgan
for our first Liturgical Dance from April 22. While this kind of dance is relatively new to western culture, it
has been done for centuries. An example is King David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant.
As we end the music year inside…we are already preparing fall anthems and Christmas music. Remember
there is always room for your musical talents at Shenkel. Please consider offering your talents next fall. Just
talk with Joan, Lori or Doug if you’re interested.
Joan Johnson
PAGE 10
MORE SHENKEL NEWS….
From Our Seminarian…...
Dear Friends,
When I first began talking to Pastor Bonnie two years ago about possibly interning with Shenkel
UCC, I immediately knew that there was something special about this church. Thank you for being
all that I expected and much more. I am deeply humbled by the warmth of your friendship, the
constructive advice, and the opportunity you provided me with to work with your members and
Pastor Bonnie during the last nine months.
I particularly want to thank you for opening your doors to seminary interns. There’s a world of difference between
sitting in the pews and actually leading worship. Pastor Bonnie has been a fantastic mentor and I thank everyone for
allowing her to share her skills, talents, and time with me! She has invested countless hours sharing practical pas-
toral leadership skills and helping me to explore new ways of thinking about congregational life and worship. I feel
much more prepared for ministry as a result of her leadership. Thank you, Pastor Bonnie!
Beginning in late July, I will begin serving as a Chaplain Resident at the Reading Hospital and Medical Center. The
residency is for a one-year period and includes both working directly with patients and classroom education. This
program builds upon the training I received last summer when I worked at the hospital in the Trauma unit. I believe
that by taking this additional year to pursue Chaplaincy in more depth, I will become a better minister. In the mean-
time, I will be keeping my fingers involved in church ministry at my ―home‖ church and filling in for others as they
need some respite from their daily call.
Thank you again for such a wonderful experience…I will miss your smiles and friendship.
