November, 2001 Wesley News of the Strongsville United Methodist Church

On the Way

Each Saturday, Tiber Hall is transformed into a place of worship as people gather in prayer and song to glorify the Lord. God has gifted each of us in a variety of ways. On the Way provides an opportunity to worship God using 21^st Century forms of technology. It is a place for all who want to know God and His Son Jesus. It is a place where many gifts can be used. And just maybe YOU have a gift which can be used to help lift up the name of JESUS!

Where might God be nudging you to get involved? If you can give even one Saturday night a month or every six months we need YOU, and God will be pleased with your gift of faithfulness to the ministry of the Body of Christ.

Moving 4Word, our worship band, is looking for a bass player, second keyboard player, and a drummer. Practices are the 1^st and 3^rd Monday each month.

We need some of your gifts. . .if you have an ability in any of these areas or are willing to learn, see Mark Hotz, Ron Shreve, Carol Perri, David Koch, or Pastor Paula. We will train anyone interested in giving a tithe of their time.

Will YOU help in any of these areas to build the Kingdom of God???

· Operating Power Point (once a month or once every other month)

· Setting up Equipment (1 or 2 hours a month, or every other month)

· Greeting people

· Sharing your testimony of how God has worked in your life

· Running the sound board (once a month or every other month)

Stewardship Campaign gets underway with special event weekends in November

Gold Weekend

On Saturday evening after the Contemporary service, there will be a celebration in regards to our commitments. On Sunday, November 11^th, our celebrations will be held in the gymnasium of Center Middle School, right next door to the church. After each service, persons are invited to move to the gymnasium where refreshments will be served. There will also be games for children as we celebrate the church and the wonderful fellowship that we have within this congregation. This is an important and wonderful weekend so make every attempt to be present for Celebration Gold Weekend as we rejoice in the opportunity we have as a church to witness to our Lord.

Myrrh Weekend

The Myrrh weekend of November 17^th and 18^th is fast approaching. At this time most of the requested grocery items should have been purchased. A few reminders to help in the following weeks to complete this valuable contribution to the less fortunate:

1. For those who cannot attend church on Saturday, November 17, or Sunday, November 18, grocery items may be brought in earlier.

2. Keep the bag of grocery items with you in church until Rev. Ron or Pastor Paula ask for them to be brought forward.

3. For those members who have children attending Sunday school, please remember to bring in a can of fruit so that they may participate when they come forward.

4. Cash contributions in any amount are acceptable.

5. The grocery items requested are: coffee (instant or 1 lb. ground), peanut butter, cereal, paper towels, baked beans, shampoo and cake mix.

Anyone wishing to help box and deliver the grocery items to the Strongsville Food Bank, volunteers are needed right after church services on November 18. Especially helpful are members who have trucks or vans.

From the Pastor's Study

Beliefs Challenged

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father, who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Matthew 5:44-46a

Often we want to give lip-service to the words of Jesus. We accept those which we find easy to carry forth and ignore (or at least skirt around) those which we find to be more challenging. The above scripture comes to us in that beautiful part of Jesus' teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount.

In light of last month's terrorism, the admonition of Jesus to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us becomes a very difficult challenge to our faith. I know many who have read their scripture and shared in deep introspection during these weeks as they have attempted to move past their hatred and fear to do as Jesus asked. Such a request becomes laborsome. It is much easier to carry hatred and anger than to want to lift up in prayer those who have done such atrocity to our nation.

One person even suggested that they thought they could follow this admonition to pray for those who persecute by praying for their demise. "Of course," the speaker said, "I know that's not what Jesus meant, but I'm not sure I can do much more than this." We can probably resonate with this speaker.

Yet, the challenge comes clearly unto us. How are we going to handle the deep feelings that have welled within us as we have seen landmarks of our economy destroyed and the stench of human death flow across our country. Dr. James Forbes, Senior Pastor of Riverside Church in Upper Manhattan (one of the city's most racially mixed congregations), told worshipers on Sunday, September 16th, that they had to gird themselves for a period of uncertainty and fear. He said, "We are in a new place." But he also warned against bigotry saying, "We need to resist the temptation to breathe something more deadly in the air than asbestos from the burning buildings; the virus of hate in the air."

Hate destroys...

• our capacity for compassion

• our understanding that we are a part of the large creation of God

• our ability to see the worth of human creation

• our longing for reconciliation

• our view of God's mercy and grace.

Jesus reminds us that it's very easy to love the people that are lovable, to love those who are just like us or act in ways that we find to be acceptable. There is certainly no extra merit in doing such things. Instead he challenges us to move beyond ourselves and to become Christ-like, to start loving those whom we see as our enemies and to pray for those who do evil against us. So I have been attempting to change my prayer life. I admit that I have not yet come to the point where I can fully forgive.

However, I have been praying that those who see the United States as their enemy might find understanding and that those in the United States who find those of opposite beliefs as their enemy might find understanding. I am praying that, as people from different cultures, we might come together to acknowledge that we are all created by a benevolent God. I am praying that I might be open enough to recognize that this nation has not always done things the right way and that we have not been sensitive to the needs of other cultures; that we have sometimes assumed that we have all the answers without consulting persons of the world. I pray that the abounding love of God, as seen in Jesus Christ, might permeate my life so that I might not seek revenge but renewal.

Jesus continues to challenge my beliefs. Being a disciple of the Lord is not a simple task. If I think so, then I am clearly not reading the Bible. I give thanks that God understands my struggle and that God gives me help to grow in him.

O Lord, as my beliefs are challenged, may I be open to your leading and the instruction of your word. Amen

Rev. Ron Mowry

From Pastor Paula’s desk

Typically when we think about the month of November our immediate reaction is to focus on Thanksgiving; a day filled with an over-abundance of turkey and the trimmings and football games. Yes, for many it is a day for families to gather together, to give thanks in their own ways for the blessings of the past year.

However, perhaps this year might be a good time for each of us to set aside time to GIVE A BLESSING.

Do you remember in the Gospels where Jesus sent his disciples out, all those who followed him, two by two? Well you can read the account in Luke 9:1-6 and Matthew 10:1-16. (Take a minute right now to read these passages.) In both accounts, Jesus sends the disciples out to teach and heal. In Matthew 8:10 Jesus says, “Freely you have received, freely give.” Maybe this year we should be the ones going out. Perhaps our approach to Thanksgiving needs to be modified.

Yes, we should give thanks; but does giving thanks mean for us to feast and count our own blessings? Should our means of giving THANKS be to put ourselves aside and go out to share a blessing with someone else?

We as the body of Christ must come to recognize that for some Thanksgiving is not a time of feasting and celebrating. For some it is a time of loneliness. For others it may be haunted by memories of what they had and now are without.

Yes, we should be giving THANKS with hearts full of gratitude for what we have. However, while we are “Giving Thanks” we might consider blessing another, for in our giving we are blessed!

May you know the Blessings of God as you share the Blessings of God!

Pastor Paula

Church Conference

Our annual Church Conference will be held on Monday, November 12^th at 7:30pm. All members of the congregation are voting members of the Church Conference which will be led by Dr. Julius Trimble, Superintendent of the Cleveland District. Our Conference will be held in the atrium area and we encourage our members to be in attendance.

Gold Weekend

On November 10^th & 11^th we, as a congregation, will be making our commitments for the financial undergirding of the church for the 2002 year. The message of Jesus Christ is integral in this area and we have been called to be the body of Christ witnessing the word of God to those around us. This undertaking means that we must commit ourselves to giving all that we can, the best that we can. On Saturday evening after the Contemporary service, there will be a celebration in regards to our commitments. On Sunday, November 11^th, our celebrations will be held in the gymnasium of Center Middle School, right next door to the church. After each service, persons are invited to move to the gymnasium where refreshments will be served. There will also be games for children as we celebrate the church and the wonderful fellowship that we have within this congregation. This is an important and wonderful weekend so make every attempt to be present for Celebration Gold Weekend as we rejoice in the opportunity we have as a church to witness to our Lord.

Advent Family Gathering

Mark your calendar now and plan to join our church family on Sunday, November 25^th at 5:00pm for our annual Advent Family Gathering. A pot-luck dinner, decorating the church for the holiday season, crafts, and singing around the atrium Christmas tree are all part of this traditional church celebration. Watch the weekly bulletins for specific information.

Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service

The churches of the Strongsville area are again this year joining together for a service of Thanksgiving. Our worship will be at 7:00pm on Sunday, November 18^th, at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 12700 Pearl Rd., Strongsville. This is a wonderful time to come together with Christians in this community. Especially in the wake of national events, we need to pause and intentionally remember the multitude of blessings which surround us including the blessing of freedom.

Kelly Brand Offering

The offering for Kelly Brand and her mission in the United Kingdom has reached nearly $1,000. Monies are still being received, but we want to thank you for your generosity in supporting Kelly in this special year of work dedicated to Jesus Christ. She loves her work with the youth and is experiencing the warmth of British culture. She has been given much responsibility and has been encouraged to remain on past her year commitment. We are proud of Kelly’s willingness to serve the Lord in this special way. Continue to lift her and her ministry in your prayers.

All members invited to attend annual Church Conference

Our annual Church Conference will be held on Monday, November 12^th at 7:30 pm. All members of the congregation are voting members of the Church Conference, which will be led by Dr. Julius Trimble, Superintendent of the Cleveland District. Our Conference will be held in the atrium area and we encourage our members to be in attendance.

Advent Family Gathering

Mark your calendar now and plan to join our church family on Sunday, November 25^th at 5:00 pm for our annual Advent Family Gathering. A potluck dinner, decorating the church for the holiday season, crafts, and singing around the atrium Christmas tree are all part of this traditional church celebration. Watch the weekly bulletins for specific information.

Attention Brass Players: We will be forming a Strongsville United Methodist Church BRASS CHOIR for the Christmas holiday season. We are looking for high school and adult players on the following instruments: trumpet (cornet), french horn, trombone, baritone (euphonium), and tuba. If interested please contact Randy Border at (440) 572-0503 or e-mail him at rb9553@aol.com.

If you don’t have your all church devotional booklet for November, please contact the church office. These short devotionals have been written by church members and can help in our daily time with the Lord.

Would you like to be an Acolyte?? If you are in 4^th grade or older, you are invited to attend training to become an Acolyte on Saturday, November 3^rd from 11:00am-12:00pm in the Church Sanctuary. To register for the class or to get more information, call Barb Ringle (238-9344) or Michelle Hartman (238-1291).

Friday Fellowship

Friday Fellowship will be meeting at the Strongsville Senior Center on November 16^th for lunch at noon. Mark Druckenbrod from the Botanical Gardens will be the guest speaker.

Friday Fellowship would like to share with you this note that we received from Pastor Roberta Fuller:

“By now (if you were at annual conference) you know I have been appointed the pastor at Olivesburg United Methodist Church (south of Ashland, north of Mansfield). I-71 South to 30 West to State Route 545 will put you right at my church. It is a wonderful little country church over 120 years old with a cemetery out back. The Amish clip-clop by every day. There are 85 members and they are very dear people. For those of you who remember Jim Cox – his wife Kate used to be the minister there back in ’85. Small world! I am very excited and feel very blessed. It is everything I hoped I would get. Please pray for me as I begin my ministry – the ministry which you have so generously supported.

Love, Pastor Roberta”

November Birthdays

Nov. 7 Gene Naylor Nov. 15 Anne Riggs

Nov. 12 Walter Wilson Nov. 24 Darlene Wilson

Nov. 14 Ruth Guzzo Nov. 26 Chuck Deal

Anniversaries

Nov. 12 Bill & Corrine Witham, 57 years

Rustad Library

Friday Fellowship has generously donated memorial books in the names of Mary Coleman, Donald Wolfcale, and Stafford Wilford.

The Sacred Rance, The Cost of Discipleship, and The Joyful Christian can be found in the new book section of the library.

A donation to the library by way of the Strongsville Social Study Club has been made in the names of Marian Craig and June Pascual. Thanks to Kathleen Hendon and the Social Study Club members for this donation.

Sometimers

For our November/December activity, we will board the Strongsville bus on SUNDAY, December 2 at 11:30 am in the parking lot of Center Middle School. We will have dinner in Little Italy at a restaurant TBA. We will then proceed to Euclid Avenue Christian Church for a Journey to Bethlehem.

This church has presented this Journey to Bethlehem for many years. Please join us for a very unique and meaningful experience. Sign up with Betty Smith no later than November 24.

United Methodist Women

You made my journey to joy! My deepest thank you to all who helped make the reception of Robin Svoboda a wonderful success. Special kudos to Eve Hill for bringing us such a delightful speaker; to Dick Herrick for supplying us with sounds, both mike and piano-wise; to “the catering ladies” and all who supplied them with delicious goodies; to the “queen of the punch bowl,” Debbie Miller; and finally, to our fearless leader, Karen Muskoff (keeping our fingers crossed that she will continue to lead us on our UMW journey.)

Gratefully, Linda Dewitt

Elizabeth Circle

Elizabeth Circle will meet Monday, November 5 at 7:30 in the church parlor. Please call Debbie Miller at 572-4967 if you need more information. All women of the church are welcome!

Lydia Circle

The ladies of Lydia Circle will meet on November 1 in Tiber Hall at 12:30 pm. We will be wrapping shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse – Christmas Child. Bring your box, wrapping paper, scissors, and contents. Don’t forget your lunch! Coffee will be served.

Betty Berry ( 238-6495) & Grace Kellner ( 234-0938)

For unto us a child is born.

Unto us a Son is given.

Strongsville United Methodist Women

Invite you to the

Annual Ecumenical Christmas Tea

Wednesday, December 5, 12:00 pm

Strongsville United Methodist Church

Program – The Story of the Chrismon Tree

A light lunch will be served

RSVP by November 28^th

Marge Turek -- 440-846-7400

Or Church Office -- 238-6135

Esther Moore honored for service to Food Bank

Esther Moore, a member of our congregation since 1978, is retiring at the end of this year after 26 years as coordinator of the Strongsville Emergency Food Bank.

She has seen ever-increasing needs in the Strongsville community over those 26 years, according to Rev. Joe Santomen, President of the Food Bank Board of Trustees. She has been instrumental in seeing the distribution place moved from the basement of a house to a centrally located place that is easily accessible to those in need.

Esther was honored at a recognition luncheon on October 18. We join the community in thanking Esther for her many years of service!

‘Servant Evangelism’ comes to SUMC

Servant Evangelism is an opportunity that allows any believer, regardless of our personal gifts, to reach out to the community with the love of God. This ministry “empowers” the “common” person in the body of Christ.

We would like to have the leadership team in place by the end of November in order to have sufficient amount of time to initiate our first project in January. The good news is that it doesn’t take an amazing skill to do significant works of outreach ministry. In fact, it only takes small things – faithful acts of outreach done again and again – to begin to make a difference.

As a servant evangelist you Love them into a relationship with Christ. Our Mission Statement: We exist to love our city into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Servant Evangelism projects used in other churches include: Totally Free Car Wash, Soft Drink Giveaway, Christmas Gift-Wrapping, Leaf Raking or General Yard Work, Newspaper Giveaway, Donut Giveaway, Coffee/Hot Chocolate Giveaway, Grocery Cart Escort Service, Car Drying at Self-Serve Washes, and of course, the possibilities are endless. The Evangelism Committee will approve all projects that are proposed.

After the leadership team has been established, there will be additional information in bulletins for individuals and families to become involved in Servant Evangelism Team to carry out these service projects. We will need a wide variety of individuals to share their talents, such as those with artistic ability to design the “Connect Cards” that are distributed at each of our projects.

Please pray about this. If you are interested in being a part of the leadership team of this new exciting ministry, please contact Randy Border at (440) 572-0503 or e-mail him at rb9553@aol.com.

Loan is paid off; special thanks are due!

On June 14, 1994 The Strongsville United Methodist Church entered into an agreement with the United Methodist Development Fund to borrow $116,000 over a ten-year period. To do this, a number of church officers had to sign a pledge of their sincere efforts to pay this amount in a timely manner. Without those signatures the sanctuary renovations could not have taken place.

It is with great satisfaction that I can now thank those people for their faith in this congregation. The loan has now been paid in full and those people have fulfilled their obligation to that agreement.

Thanks to Ron Bakeman (Ad Board chair), Joseph Santomen (minister), James Shoaff (trustee chair), and the following members of the trustees: Charles Hawk, Corrine Jackson, Bob Smith, Chuck Walter, Gordon Evans, and Chuck Deal.

Sincerely,

Paula Dragovich, Treasurer

Stephen Ministry

We are not Stephen's Ministry. No, we are your Stephen Ministry. We are there to confidentially listen to your issues. We have been trained to provide a Christ-centered individual who will help you come to grips to what's constantly at the edge of your every thought.

Whether it's something you think is trivial or seems too heavy on your mind to even contemplate discussing, know that we're there, ready to listen as you wind your way through it; hoping to get a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. We will be there, at your side. And maybe it's not you but an acquaintance.

Either way, let us know by contacting Rev. Ron or Pastor Paula (238-6135), Mark or Karen Milia (572-0608), Hildi Fitzpatrick (572-5004), Bev Wells (572-1415) or Jim Boyer (572-4976); we are there for you!

Welcome New Members

The receiving of new members into our faith community is a time of joyous celebration. We are happy to receive those listed below as our new brothers and sisters in Christ. We hope that you will make an effort to know them, to welcome them to the groups and activities of the church in which you participate, and to bind yourselves together with them to serve the Lord.

Name Shepherding Family

Dale & Rita Bodey Dave & Dianne Powell

18465 W. Bend Drive

Strongsville, OH 44136 (440) 572-4749

James & Lisa Demkowicz Mike & Lisa Johnson

13825 Clifford Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44135 (216) 251-6315

George & Vicki Ladesic Bob & Lynne Koszkalda

Amanda Ladesic Kristen Koszkalda

9151 Marks Rd.

Strongsville, OH 44149 (440) 846-8409

Lloyd & Lee Stimson Russ & Ginny McKee

15220 Chestnut Oak Lane

Strongsville, OH 44149 (440) 878-4967

Adella Wagner Eileen Bambam

8685 N. Akins Road

North Royalton, OH 44133 (440) 237-8060

Scott & Kimberly Wickert Bill & Becky Gruss

3917 Stonegate Drive

Medina, OH 44256 (330) 722-7695

Kathryn Burkart Gail Fader

16724 Walnut Creek Drive

Strongsville, OH 44149 (440) 846-1348

Jeanne Kane Carolyn Hennon

16932 Willow Wood Drive

Strongsville, OH 44136 (440) 572-1129

Deborah Greenham Janie Jasko

Bethany Greenham Karli Jasko

19227 Seven Oaks Drive

Strongsville, OH 44136 (440) 846-6546

Catherine & Robert L. Swartz, Jr. Keith & Pam Johnson

15065 Wilmington Drive

Strongsville, OH 44136 (440) 238-8951

Barbara Black Lynn Tinnirello

21239 Creekside Drive

Strongsville, OH 44149 (440) 846-8278

Ferne Black Dolores Huhn

12919 Dell Ridge Ct.

Strongsville, OH 44149 (440) 572-3327

Lisa Maurer Jennifer Hedinger

441 Race Street

Berea, OH 44017 (440) 234-7636

Phillip & Heidimarie Morgan Dale & Jessica VanLehn

15643 Indianhead Lane

Strongsville, OH 44136 (440) 846-6684

Debra Ryan Dynda Thomas

16972 Stag Thicket Lane

Strongsville, OH 44136 (440) 238-5539

Christian Education News

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. . .”

This is certainly a time for ministry. The opportunity today is one of the best in American history.

When Isaiah received his prophetic commission from God to go and speak to the people of Israel on God’s behalf, he heard the voice of the Lord say, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah’s immediate response was, “Here am I…Send me!”

Obviously, not everyone is called in the same way Isaiah was. There are many ways an individual can serve his/her church. It’s exciting to see the many ways God works in the lives of His people.

At this time, the Sunday School program is still in need of some help. Would you prayerfully consider the possibility of being a part of our children’s ministry, or perhaps leading or being a part of an adult Sunday School class?

Some people shy away from teaching because they don’t feel equipped to take on a class. But shouldn’t the most important components of a Sunday School teacher be a person’s love for God, their love for people, and a willing heart?

If God calls you to do something, it’s because He knows you can handle the job. He believes in you. He will supply you with what you need, when you need it.

Today, God is asking the same question He asked Isaiah. This time it’s for our Sunday School program. “Whom shall I send?” Is He calling you?

In Christ,

Debbie Burd, Director of Christian Education

What’s Happening?

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, will begin Sunday, October 21. Boxes need to be turned in to the Sunday School office by Sunday, November 11. Information on the project will be passed out in Sunday School.

UNICEF boxes will be passed out during Sunday School on Sun., Oct. 28. They will be collected on the following Sunday.

Looking Ahead:

The children’s Christmas program will be Sunday, December 16 at 7:00 pm. Practices for the program will be on Thursdays during Logos. Other rehearsals will be announced.

Confirmation Class 2002

With fall upon us, comes the beginning of the Confirmation class for the year 2001-2002! This year we have 25 students enrolled who will be working with Pastor Paula each week during the 11am worship hour! Please keep us all in your prayers!

Jordan Biagini, Betsy Boyer, Larry Capuder, Kirsten Cook, Mark DeNoble, Kevin Doak, Vince Gerbec, Matthew Glass, Bob Grebenc, Jennifer Greenham, Kevin Herb, Holly Honroth, John Karpinsky, Robby Koszkalda, Brian Kuch, Matthew McIntyre, Ben Parish, Maegan Perri, Greg Shearer, Amanda Smith, Emma Stroemple, Allie Swan, Sara Thwaite, Grant Vanco, Eric White, and Rachel Wynn.

LOGOS Update

We have been blessed with 91 children participating in LOGOS this semester! The semester ends November 15, and it’s time to prepare for the winter session, January 3-March 21, 2002. Registration dates are Sunday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 18 between services in the atrium. If your child is currently enrolled in LOGOS, please stop by on one of the Sundays or Thursday, Nov. 8 or 15 to update any changes to the fall registration form.

Due to space constraints, maximum program capacity is 95 children. As usual, a $10 discount will be given if you register by Nov. 18^th. Payment is due by Jan. 3, 2002.

As a reminder to all adult volunteers within Logos, please complete your safe sanctuary training and paperwork ASAP.

Many thanks to co-director, Tracy McCort, for her dedication to Logos and SUMC! You’ll truly be missed as your family relocates to Pennsylvania. God Bless You!

Deb Oblisk, (440) 846-2648

West Side Community House

It is hard to believe that the Christmas season is fast approaching (just look in the stores). As usual, West Side Community House will be having the annual collection of Christmas presents for the families in need. About 60 families will be receiving gifts this year.

This Christmas, instead of receiving a big family box, as in the past, each child will be able to choose presents for other members of the family. The presents will then be wrapped by volunteers and sent home with each child before Christmas.

A new basket for gifts will be in the back hall from November 18^th through December 9^th. The gifts may be in boxes but must be unwrapped. I will take the gifts to WSCH on December 10^th. A new, shorter list will be posted near the basket or will be in the bulletin. A flyer is now on the bulletin board.

In addition to the suggestions on the list, the Seniors like 2002 calendars, toiletries, and unused Christmas cards which are given to the 150 shut-ins when their meals are delivered. (A small box will be next to the Christmas basket for these items.)

The members of the UMW Executive Board will be sponsoring an “Angel Family” this year. (These are families who have recently had troubles such as fires or sickness). Money may be given to Eleanor Bohlander for the “Angel Families” which will be used by the staff of WSCH for extra items.

Volunteers are also needed at WSCH on Dec. 10 & 11 to unpack and on Dec. 12, 13, & 14 to help the children choose their gifts and to wrap them. Please let us know if you can help! More volunteers are needed this year!

Thank you for all your help in the past. Every year the needs get greater.

WSCH Advocates: Eleanor Bohlander, Viola LeCastro and Alice Waltz

Angel Tree is Coming Soon!!

Can you image how the children of incarcerated parents must suffer? Though not at fault themselves, they suffer from the lack of a parent, lack of a role model, insecurity, fear, lack of discipline, lack of direction and loneliness. Project Angel Tree is an effort undertaken by Prison Fellowship Ministries to link these kids with loving Christian people who want to share God's love with them at Christmas time. Doesn’t this sound like a great opportunity? Read on!

Your Junior and Senior High School Logos students have once again volunteered to help SUMC participate in Project Angel Tree! Angel Tree kids have been nominated for the program by the incarcerated parent through their involvement with Prison Fellowship's prison ministries. These prisoners are hearing God’s word in prison! And, because of their involvement with Prison Fellowship, SUMC has the opportunity to make Christmas a little more special for area Angel Tree children.

You will be able to select gift tags for our Angel Tree kids in December. Then, the Junior and Senior High Logos students will deliver the gifts to the children on behalf of the incarcerated parent and in the name of Jesus Christ! Of course the physical gifts help ease the separation between child and parent, but the gift of Jesus' salvation through his death on the cross for our sins offers the family a solution to their spiritual separation from God. What a great opportunity for all of us to witness for and serve our Heavenly Father!

We thank you for your generous support of the Angel Tree car wash and bake sale fundraisers that we had in September and October. With your continued support of our Cinnamon Bun sale on November 18^th and the gift tag selection on December 9^th, SUMC will again help to make Christmas real for some forty Angel Tree children! God bless you!

Joys & Concerns of the Congregation

Weddings

Best wishes to Mindy Gessner & Rev. Daniel Bogre, who were united in marriage in our sanctuary on October 6.

Births

Congratulations to Terry & Lisa Semelsberger McGreal on the birth of their daughter, Riley Elizabeth McGreal, on September 19. Proud grandparents are Ken & Marian Semelsberger;

and to Mark & Kim Altsman on the birth of their son, Matthew Ryan Altsman, on September 27.

Baptisms

We rejoice with the families of those children who have received the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptized on Sunday, October 14 were Henry Lee Carroll, son of James & Rebecca (Johnson) Carroll, and Katelyn Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of William & Christine (Bogacki) Stuart.

Deaths

The prayers and sympathy of the congregation are extended to Bruce & Sue Lerch and family upon the death of Bruce’s mother, Winifred, on September 25; to Mary Kawecki and family upon the death of her father, Jervis Webb, on October 7; to Val Bogre and family upon the death of his brother, Emery Bogre, on October 8; to Karen & Tim Braaten and family upon the death of Karen’s father, George Siedel, on October 17; and to Jim & Sandy Kepke and Della Wagner and their families upon the death of their sister-in-law, Florence Ambrose.

From our church’s mailbox

Dear Friends,

I want to thank Rev. Mowry, Pastor Paula, and my fellow worshippers for their many prayers and visits after my heart surgery. Their faith and continuous support gave me strength spiritually, which also helped my physical recovery.

Sincerely, Almeda McNabb

Dear Congregation,

Thank you for the cards, phone calls, visits and especially the prayers during my recent surgery and recovery. I have truly been blessed by God and his people, the members of the Strongsville United Methodist Church. A special thank you to Rev. Mowry for coming to the hospital on his day off and his calls. A big thank you to Janet Wilford for meals and calls.

Carol Williams

Save your labels for Red Bird!

While planning your holiday meals, don’t forget to save your Campbell’s soup labels for Red Bird Mission. Red Bird Mission school participates in the “Campbell’s Labels for Education” program. Please trim the labels to either side of the Campbell’s name and if the product is in a jar send the lid, not the label. Please place the labels in the basket on the wall at the back entrance of the church.

Red Bird Mission is also asking the congregation to save General Mills Box Tops for Education and Project A+ redemption labels from boxes of Tyson Chicken Nuggets, Patties, Tenders and Filets (all varieties).

These labels directly benefit the school, its students, and the mission. Thanks for your continued support of Red Bird Mission.

Notes from the Nurses

With the start of the holiday season on its way, depression becomes more prominent. Depression is a serious mood disorder which affects a person’s ability to function in everyday activities. It affects one’s work, one’s family, and one’s social life. Over one million Americans can expect to get some form of it in their lifetime. It sometimes is associated with major recent notable events in one’s life.

Signs and symptoms of depression include (but are not limited to) persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood; feeling of hopelessness or pessimism; feeling of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness; loss of interest in hobbies or activities that were once enjoyable; difficulty concentrating, insomnia or oversleeping; thoughts of death or suicide; restlessness or irritability; weight loss or gain; and persistent physical symptoms that don’t respond to treatment. Some people experience many of these symptoms while others experience only a few.

It is important to realize that you are not to blame and that negative thoughts are part of the depression – not actual circumstances. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you need to contact your doctor. Most people with depression are treated with psychotherapy and medication. Take care of yourself!

Love, Gail Spence & Betsy Mowry

REMINDER: Monthly blood pressures will be taken November 18 after each church service.

Souled Out

Something to Think About

by Greg

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first

commandment with a promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in

the training and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

This time of year always brings with it a certain nostalgia. I start thinking back on all of the wonderful “family moments” of our past. There is one thing in particular I always look forward to (my family goes into “silly-mode” during the holidays): we call them the “Grimwood Games.” One thing you need to understand about the “Grimwood Games” is how ferociously intense they become.

One game we play is called “The Balloon Game.” We blow up a balloon, and then hit it back and forth to each other only allowing it to touch a certain body part, such as our right elbow. As soon as the balloon hits the ground, the game is over. We’ve actually reached the thousand mark a few times. One time pops and I were playing using only the tops of our heads, when the unthinkable happened. The furnace kicked on, warm air started to blow out of the vent, causing the balloon to fall into a downward spiral right beside the doorframe leading to the dining room. Dad assumed the charging bull position and with head-down, feet kicking backwards, he went full-throttle towards the balloon. He managed to hit the balloon with the top of his head, keeping the game in tact, but then proceeded to slam his head into the wooden door frame. He went down with a thud. The game was over due to injury. He was okay, but it provided for a wonderful holiday story.

The point is this: your family is a treasure, a gift from God that should be cherished. Whenever I make it home for dinner, we sit down as a family, pray over the food and fellowship, talk about how the week is going, and encourage one another. These family meals and conversations have been so vital in my spiritual development. I know that not all of us have the ideal family life, and not all of us can sit down with our family every night over dinner, but I’d encourage you (if there’s any way possible) to make it a priority. That time spent with your family is so important, and nothing but God should come before it.

November Calendar

Saturday, November 3^rd

Relational Training

1:00 - 4:00pm

Open to all adults who work with children or youth and any youth interested in improving conversation skills.

RSVP by Thursday, November 1^st

Sunday, November 11^th

Souled Out

6:30 - 8:00 pm

In individual homes.

Watch bulletins for locations.

Sunday, November 18^th

Souled Out

6:30 - 8:00 pm

Sunday, November 25^th

Advent Family Gathering

5:00pm

Dinner & Decorating the church for the Christmas Season.

Tuesday, November 27^th

Cory Kitchen

Leave church at 3:30pm

Contact Mrs. Peck (572-6008) if you are going

Just so you know...

Greg will be on vacation from November 5^th - 11^th and will be in Dallas for the Tentmakers and Youth Specialties National Conference from November 15^th - 19^th.

Winter Youth Retreat

December 7^th - 9^th

Camp Wanake

Reserve your spot now - they fill up fast!

Call Greg for details & cost

Youth Ministry Mission Statement

Our mission is to equip youth with a solid foundation in Jesus Christ, with excitement for spiritual growth, that they may be alive in their faith and make a difference for Christ in the world.

The Wesley News is published monthly by the Strongsville United Methodist Church. Deadline for articles is the 15th of every month for the following month’s newsletter. Articles can be mailed or dropped off in the church office or e-mailed to either Steller5@AOL.com or BevW@StrongsvilleUMC.org

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