"Making disciples of Jesus who transform the world."
April 2016
The Great Hunt
The Great Easter Egg Hunt was enjoyed by a large
number of Greene Street families, including many of
our friends who attend the preschool and daycare!
Approximately one hundred people enjoyed a meal
together, provided by the Children’s Ministry Team,
and even more participated in the activities which
included some singing and praise time, the hunt for
lots of eggs, and a search for knowledge of the sacred
meaning of Easter. Christ’s love was experienced
through fellowship, laughter, and lots of fun! We are
so grateful for the help of countless individuals who
lovingly put candy into hundreds of plastic eggs,
brought food, served and cleaned up the meal and
donated an abundance of candy!
2016
Volume 62
Issue 4
415 W. Greene St.
Piqua, Ohio 45356
(937) 773-5313
Fax (937) 773-5397
www.greenestreetumc.org
Rev. Kenneth A. Stewart
In this
Issue
Pastor’s
Letter
Ministries for
Children
TEEM Mission
Trip
Because We are
Family
Calendar
Bob Evans Day
Staffing for the Present and Future
I am pleased to announce the posting of a new employment opportunity for a
Ministry Assistant.
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), along with the approval of the
Administrative Board, has unanimously voted to approve this position so we may
better accomplish our mission. Both respective committees have prayed and
discussed this position for nearly two years as part of an overall strategy and
long-range plan. Our continued growth, along with your continued faithfulness and
generosity, is allowing this position to become a reality so we can take our
mission and ministry to the next level and reach our city with the good news of
Jesus.
Specific responsibilities the Ministry Assistant will primarily oversee include:
(1) TEEM student ministry, managing volunteer leaders and planning and structuring
gathering times, activities and events that will minister to students both inside
and outside the church; (2) Worship, assisting me in the planning and coordination
of Sunday morning gatherings, providing ministerial coverage when I am away, and
helping facilitate meaningful worship experiences for all ages; and (3) Outreach,
by working alongside all staff and volunteers to ensure we are connecting and
engaging the 85% of people in our city who do not have a church home.
As I have been involved in the community and school system, I have not yet
identified a ministry doing an effective job of connecting with unreached
students. Many churches are either too small to devote the necessary time and
attention required in this area, or more internally focused on the students
already connected rather than looking outward to those who aren’t involved. The
mission field is enormous in this regard, and we feel a strong calling from God to
respond accordingly.
The position is full-time, which will enable the candidate to solely focus on the
task at hand. The candidate will be accountable to me and the SPRC, and we are
requiring the following qualifications: (1) a High School Diploma (or GED
equivalent); (2) a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher
learning; and (3) some measure of ministerial training, along with two or more
years of work experience. As you can see, we are looking for someone who can hit
the ground running. In partnership with the Finance Team, Sherry Heath, our
Treasurer, has given her approval to the compensation package we are offering.
On a personal level, this position will alleviate much of the added
responsibilities I have carried, and allow me to focus on the primary tasks to
which I am called (as outlined in The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist
Church, ¶340). It will provide a trusted backup for times when I am away from the
office, and give me additional peace of mind during my days off. It will allow me
to maintain a healthier and more productive lifestyle as I better balance the
needs of ministry with personal and family obligations. Most of all, this person
will help us all better minister to those already – and not yet – connected to
Greene Street, which excites me to no end!
For a complete Job Description, or to pick up an application, contact the church
office by phone (937.773.5313) or email ([email protected]). We will be
accepting applicants through April 15, 2016 and interviewing candidates shortly
thereafter. We hope to introduce the hired candidate to you sometime in May.
Please pray for the hiring process, from the interview team to the candidates,
that we may be led by the power of God’s Spirit to the right person for the job.
The stakes are high, and we are privileged to take this step of faith with you as
we pursue the most important work in the world, making disciples of Jesus who
transform the world. Thank you for your partnership every step of the way! These
are exciting times, and we are extraordinarily blessed to share them together.
Together with you in Christ,
Rev. Kenneth A. Stewart
Ministry Opportunities
From the Pantry
The blessings continue as
we offer thanks to the
following:
1. American Legion for
their donation of $500.00.
2. TEEM for painting and
sprucing up the Food
Pantry. It looks
fabulous!
3. Volunteers who donate
their time each week to
work at the Pantry.
2016 Totals to Date: 286;
31 New clients
Pantry needs: Breakfast
items and Cereal! Cereal!
Cereal!
Boy Scout Food Drive: The
Boy Scouts are once again
donating the items they collect from their food
drive on March 19th to our Food Pantry. We are
blessed each year to receive this donation and
your participation helps stock our pantry
shelves.
The Food and Hunger Team wishes you a blessed
Easter season.
Women’s Well
Please join us at 6:30 on
Thursday April 14 for Women's
Well. We will be enjoying a
night of Fun, Fellowship, and
Service Projects here at our
church. These will benefit
both the food pantry and our
own congregation. If you are
unable to attend, but would
like to make a contribution
toward our projects please
contact Tanya Stewart or Kara
Hare.
Women and Girls of All Ages
are Welcome! Hope to see you
there!
Please contact the church
office by phone, email or
attendance pad if you would
like to be added to our list
of nursery volunteers
From the Director’s Desk:
1 John 4:19 – We love because he first loved us.
Help us spread the love! Each new day promises to bring new
adventures! We have made some new changes this year in our
Preschool programs, changing some days and times of our current
programs. Our preschool reaches out to the families of Piqua to
provide a safe and loving environment in which the children can
learn and grow. Currently we are registering for our 2016/17
school year. If anyone you know is looking for the perfect
place to send their child to preschool, please have them stop by, call in,
or check out the website. Help us pray for a successful registration.
Looking ahead I will share our Graduation plans in the May newletter.
Ministries for Children
From Barb Hudson:
Activities for children, during the
Unveiled Worship Gatherings in
April, will include a children’s
message on April 10th
and 24th, and
ringing of bells on April 17th
.
Every Sunday, children are excused
before the sermon for Kidz Worship,
and may attend one of two classes:
children age five through Second
Grade meet in the ABC room off the
corner of the Narthex, and students
in 3rd
through 6th
grade meet upstairs
off the balcony in room 24. This
month we will study the appearances
of Jesus to his disciples after the
Resurrection.
The memory verse for April is “Happy
are those who don’t see and yet
believe.” (John 20:29) Any child
who learns the verse and recites it
for Ms. Barb on Sunday mornings will
earn a small prize!
Thank you to all the families who
attended this year’s Wednesday Night
Alive! Programming will resume soon
after school begins, in September,
as we begin preparation for our
annual Christmas Musical!
Thank you to the following
volunteers who so lovingly spend
time with our children on Sunday
mornings teaching Kidz Worship:
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Vacation Bible
School is scheduled for Monday, July
11 through Friday, July 15!
If you are interested in helping, or
would like to order VBS t-shirts,
see Jenny Sweetman or call the
church office. April 12, 6 p.m.
will be or next planning meeting
where we will discuss decorating.
All are welcome! Thank you!
Helpers are needed each night. Sign
up with Jenny Sweetman 773-5313 or
April 3 Lindsay Lambert Barb Hudson
April 10 Liz DuBois Theresa McMillan
April 17 Emily Shawler Laura Jackson
April 24 Amberly Tauber Jennifer Everett
TEEM Mission Trip Fundraising
A Dream, a Vision, and a Plan
I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update about some of the
things I’m thinking about and doing alongside you in ministry. First, I was
overwhelmingly humbled by the 367 people who gathered to celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus March 27. I am humbled every day I have the opportunity
to serve alongside the people I love most, which includes each of you. It is
a privilege and pleasure to minister in a place where the grace and hope of
God abounds; where people who have had little to no previous church
connection can find a the warmth of God’s love in tangible ways.
Not long after Tanya and I began serving at Greene Street, she had a dream
I’ve never forgotten. The dream was a retelling of the story of what happened
in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2-3), only in reverse. Prior to the
disobedience of Adam and Eve, the Garden was pristine, without weeds,
beautiful and in full bloom. Unfortunately, human sin caused harm not only to
humanity and every generation thereafter, but to all of creation. The broken
relationship humanity once enjoyed with God and the land was broken and in
desperate need of rescue.
Tanya’s dream began in a garden which had been neglected for years. What once
was full of vibrant color and sensational smells was now supplanted by thorns
and thistles. There was chaos. Weeds spread throughout the remnant of this
garden-turned-wasteland. There was a small trickle of water in the midst of
the garden which helped sustain what little life remained, but nothing
indicated the presence of nurture and care of any kind.
Interestingly, the deeper one walked into this garden, following the slow,
tiny trickle of water back to its source, the more beautiful the garden
became. Life began emerging. The weeds and thistles and overgrowth of
unwelcomed vines and shrubs began clearing. The trickle soon opened to a
brook, which gave way to a creek, which flowed from a larger river. Bright,
beautiful azaleas draped the river bank. Cherry blossoms bloomed overhead.
The sounds of the gentle, flowing water with its many lily pads gave the
traveler a sense of peace and familiarity in this newfound place. The river
was sourced by an amazingly-beautiful waterfall. Eden was being restored.
In many ways, this dream has not only served as a vision for our work at
Greene Street, but also as a metaphor of what Jesus has done for us all. By
taking the thistles and thorns of our sin upon his shoulders, he’s given us
the hope of restoration and renewal. In every facet, the work of Jesus is
peeling back the effects of sin in our world, giving us the hope of
experiencing life as it was intended by God in the first place. The good work
of Jesus reverses the sinful work of Adam and Eve.
I pray Greene Street is a place where we not only see a vision of what God
has intended for us and for his world, but that we experience it more and
more. I pray we not only see small previews of the Kingdom, but that we’re
around long enough to see the full feature of God’s love and justice on
display for all to see. All of our plans thus far – whether in the hiring of
staff, planning for building improvements, strategizing for a possible
capital campaign, developing greater ministries to children, teens, and
launching disciple groups – we pray it brings us closer to the Garden as it
was meant to be experienced, in the fullness of its grandeur, beauty and
splendor that could only come from the Creator himself. Thanks for partnering
with us as we make disciples of Jesus who transform the world!
Together with you in Christ,
Rev. Kenneth A. Stewart
Thank You
Dear Greene Street Family
and Grandma Clark,
Receiving this care package
came as a very happy
surprise to me. I was not
expecting this at all but
it definitely put a smile
to my face once I opened it
(and every time I eat
something from it), so I
thank you very much for
sending all this to me.
I attend school at the
University of Cincinnati,
where I major in mechanical
engineering. My short term
plans are co-oping while I
am in college. This summer
I will be working at
Midmark Corporation as an
engineering intern. I hope
in the future that I can
travel often in order to
see the world, and I help
to work somewhere where I
can really make an impact
on other people’s live.
I really enjoyed the
homemade cookies – I was
really surprised to find
them in there! I also love
the picture you gave me
quoting Isaiah; I even have
it hanging up in my dorm
room right now (I love the
quote on it). I really am
enjoying everything in the
box and having the
realization that so many
people care.
Thank you again for
everything!
Christopher Locktefeld
Dear Greene Street Family,
Thank you so much for my
care package. It came right
after a very long and
stressful week, and was
such a welcome surprise. It
was a great feeling and a
nice reminder of home. All
of the treats were so
great! I’m in my second
semester at the University
of Kentucky and I am loving
every minute. I am a
marketing major on the pre-
dental track. My goal is to
open my own practice once I
get done with all my
schooling. Again, I want to
personally thank everyone
who has helped with my box
and who has sent prayers
and love my way.
Reganne Tate
Greene Street United
Methodist Church,
I apologize this letter is
so late – my workload in
college has never kept me
as busy as it is now. I go
into every semester
thinking things can’t get
harder. And every semester
it does! But it was
especially rough in the
middle of February when I
received the box of snacks
and happiness your sent and
it was a blessing! It made
me realize the support I
have (even from those I do
not know) and reminded me
of the love of God. It
definitely helped me out
through a rough patch and I
really appreciate that.
I’m a sophomore majoring in
Mechanical Engineering. I’m
also minoring in
Humanitarian Engineering. I
went to Ghana over
Christmas Break for two
weeks to work on solar
panels and create a bicycle
powered cell phone charger.
It was an incredible trip.
I was amazed at the strong
fundamental values that
people there have –
religion is truly the
center of society there.
Although I’m in
engineering, I’m actually
looking into different
opportunities in education
or possibly ministries.
These paths just seem to
have so much more meaning
to me. I think they would
provide me with far more
ways to serve the Lord.
I’ve been blessed here at
Ohio State with a strong
faith community. I’ve
really gotten involved with
St. Paul’s Outreach, a
Catholic organization
through the Newman Center
here in Columbus. Being
able to run with so many
men and women that are so
passionate about the Lord
and becoming loving
Christians has been
inspiring to me. I’ve
gotten involved in a youth
ministry class, helping
kids grades 1-3 learn to
love the Lord. I’m also
involved in a Bible study
and other various
activities. I actually just
returned from a retreat
this past weekend that
really changed my life.
I’ve learned that if you
put your Trust in the Lord,
allow Him to love you, and
be open to his plan, the
opportunities are endless.
I think Jeremiah 29 : 11-13
speaks this perfectly,
telling us that if we trust
the lord, he will save us
from our sin and brokenness
and give us a “future full
of hope.”
One story I’ve really been
focusing on is in the
Gospel of John. After
preaching, there were 5,000
hungry men (not to count
the women and children).
The disciples had a problem
– it would take over half a
year’s wages to give each
of the people only a
little. However, a young
boy, seemingly
insignificant in the crowd,
had two fish and five
loaves of bread. He gave
Jesus what he had, trusted
in Him, and Jesus fed
thousands that day. I don’t
know what plan God has for
me, but I’ve resolved to
give Him what little I have
– to give him my “Five
loaves and two fish” and
allow him to feed
thousands.
When reflecting on these
stories and ambitions of
mine, it can be very
frustrating being in
college. When it seems
you’re constantly in
classes or doing homework,
it sometimes makes every
going on in life seem
monotonous and pointless.
Small acts of kindness and
faith, such as receiving
box full of treats from
people I do not even know,
remind me of God’ love. It
gives me the drive to carry
on and keep fighting.
Little gifts like this
remind me how much we have
to fight for. So thank you
for what may have seemed
like a small act, but
turned out to be much more.
I really appreciate it, and
will definitely keep you
all in my prayers.
God Bless,
Jason Brunswick
Because We Are Family
Hospitalized Since Last
Month: Rita Ash
Greene Street Church
Family -Ben Hiser, Joyce
Ellerman, Brenda Rice,
Linda Harbison, Al
Erbes, Bea Jones, Debbie
Blue
Friends and Family of
Greene Street- Carol and
Mike Jess(Stilwell),
Carol Wick (Harbison),
Maggie Campbell
(Mullikin), Bruce
Marshall (Hardman),
Donna Crist, John
Rimmer, Jim & Jackie
(Ash), Chris Green
(Heater), Linda Davis
and grandson (Hiser),
Margaret Collins, Tammy
Havenar, William Bryiant
(Gaier), Raeleigh
McCartha and parents
(Lusk), Piqua Compassion
Network’s new “Getting
Ahead
Class” (community), Joe
Martin (Frazier), David
Shellenberg
(Shellenberg), Scott
Madison (Vosler), Ron
Cooper, Lynne Butt
(Ellerman)
Military - Ron Cooper,
Jed Cooper, Andy Pearson
(Carter), Brian Pummill,
Dasch Underwood, Clark
Cripe (Elliott), Joseph
Sherman (Shellenberg),
Brent Efaw (Frazier),
Ben Datu (Mullikin),
Kris Palsgrove (Ash),
Devon Parshall
(Parshall), James Riley
(Gaier)
Care Facilities -Piqua
Manor: Dick Callison,
Rita Ash, Jane
Flitcraft; Caldwell
House: Virginia Gross;
Garbry Ridge: Barbara
Minton, Jim Whetstone;
Spring Meade: Martha
Fraley; Lincoln Park
Manor: Margie Trimmer;
Dorothy Love: Ruth
Brush, Gladys Mullen
OUR SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED
TO:
Scott, Renee, Brant,
Landon, Avery, Pat
Helman and family upon
the death of Noah
Helman on January 29,
2016.
family and friends of
John Phillips, who
passed away on Friday,
February 5, 2016.
family and friends of
Joanne Kress, who
passed away on
Saturday, February 6,
2016.
CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED
TO:
Josh and Abby Silvers
with the birth of
their son, Nolan
Pierce Silvers, on
Thursday, November 12.
He is welcomed by big
brother Blakelee and
grandparents Rick and
Terry Fry.
Birthdays
1 Barbara Hudson
2 Alyssa Davenport
Reganne Tate
3 Shirley Sanders
7 Amy Sweetman
8 Myrna Cantrell
9 Jerry Fogt
Marcy Thomas
10 Spencer Lavey
11 Donna DeBrosse
Isaac Hale
Michelle Taylor
12 Carol Hogston
Jacki Lillicrap
16 Chuck DeBrosse
Roxie Roberts
18 Austin Kline
Elijah Stewart
19 Austin Agee
20 Tom Hudson
Carson Smith
21 Jane Caslow
22 Jennifer Sweetman
Larry Underwood
23 Rachel Apple
Reece Tate
24 Debbie Blue
25 Sandra Christy
Caroline Elsass-Smith
Ron Yount
27 Ron Cooper
Ruthanne Ruffner
28 Katie Hale
Dorie Perry
29 Doug Lillicrap
30 Chuck Asher
“Thank You’s” to Greene
Street family and Pastor
Kenneth:
-I really appreciate all
Pastor Kenneth has done with
his presence and prayers of
encouragement before and
after my surgery.
Bea Jones
-Thank you for the cards and
your prayers and more.
Debbie Blue
Anniversaries
3 Joshua & Holly Trombley
7 Mike & Donna DeBrosse
16 Jill & David Weimer
17 Aaron & Jennifer Beaver
Ron & Robyn Cooper
21 Steve & Debbie Frazier
Bruce & Carol Hogston
22 Scott & Suzy Phillips
23 Elizabeth & Tim DuBois
26 Larry & Shirley Grabo
Dear Pastor Stewart and
the Greene Street United
Methodist Chruch,
On behalf of Shiloh MBC
of Flint, we would like
to thank you for your
generous gift of water
and supplies. Your
commitment to helping us
with this water crisis is
sincerely appreciated.
With the generous support
of people like you, we
will be able to reach
many souls through these
water give aways in our
community.
The goal of Shiloh is to
continue to give water
and supplies to our
county until there is a
resolution. For more
information on how your
donation is helping to
make a difference in the
lives of so many souls in
Flint, MI we invite you
to visit our website and
Face book page.
Thank you again for your
generous donation and
support of our efforts to
meet the needs of our
city and community, and
we look forward to a
continued fellowship.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Daniel and Denise
Moore
Unless otherwise
Sunday Schedules
9 a.m. Liturgical Worship
10:30 a.m. Unveiled
Worship
4 p.m. TEEM
6 p.m. Ch. 5 Rebroadcast
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
6 p Girl
Scouts
3
12 p
Confirmation
Class
4 p TEEM
4 5
3:45 p BIP
Meeting
6 p Melody
Men
6
1 p
Disciple
Group
6:30 p
Praise Team
7 8
10:30 a
John
Phillips
Memorial
Girl Scout
Overnight
9
10
12 p
Confirmation
Class
4 p TEEM
11 12
6 p VBS
Decorating
Meeting
6 p Melody
Men
13 1p Disciple
6 p Girl
Scouts
6:30 p
Praise Team
6:30 p
Worship
Design Team
14
6 p Girl
Scouts
6:30 p
Women’s
Well
15
CISV
Overnight
16
8 a UMM
Breakfast
17
12 p
Confirmation
Class
4 p TEEM
18
6:30 p
Child Care
Staff
Meeting
7 p SPRC
Meeting
19
6 p Melody
Men
20
1 p
Disciple
Group
6:30 p
Praise Team
21
12 p
Daycare/
Preschool
Closed
22 Daycare/
Preschool
Closed
23
Chrysalis
Training
24
12 p
Confirmation
Class
4 p TEEM
25 26
6 p Melody
Men
27 Sprincreek
2nd Grade
Meal
1 p
Disciple
Group
6 p Girl
Scouts
6:30 p
Praise Team
28
9 a
Newsletter
Folding
Party
6 p Girl
Scouts
29 30
Week of the Young Child
Greene Street
United Methodist Church
415 W. Greene Street
Piqua, Ohio 45356-2198
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Piqua, Ohio
Permit No. 268
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