The Scoop 2.0 - November

THE SCOOP 2.0

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WHODUNIT? STAFF CHRISTMAS PARTY '22

FOOD FUN & A BIG MYSTERY

DECEMBER 8 12-3 PM NOVA PLACE YES! You read that time correctly.

The time has changed to make sure our entire staff can join in on our celebration!

THE SCOOP 2.0

CONTENTS THE SCOOP 2.0 NOVEMBER

07 NORTHSIDE BEAT

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Check in here for a monthly staff recommended tip about places to visit in our community and local events.

AMPED UP FOR MISSIONS

08 HR UPDATE Now featured in The Scoop instead of an email, Cindy Gwynn brings us the latest HR updates regarding staff changes, our yearly calendar, and shoutouts.

10 CONGRATS!

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We're excited to spotlight staff wins and milestones! Be on the lookout and send us any sweet news you get The Scoop on!

STEEL CITY REVIVAL

11 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Check out a yummy recipe from Joe G!

HEY, ACAC FAMILY Please email Annie Polka (annie.polka@acac.net) if you’d like to join The Scoop Crew!

Editor: Jen Lawlor | Managing Editor: Annie Polka | Design: Emma Schell | Staff Contributors: Marvis Hutchinson & Cindy Gwynn

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The Scoop is back to serve up encouragement and helpful information that is easy to digest!

Our purpose is to highlight our staff’s extraordinary God-given gifts and keep you up to date on everything from HR, to technology, to what’s happening in our community. We want this to be a platform where we work together across our teams, and we gladly welcome your input and contributions. Each of you makes working at ACAC sweet, and we appreciate who you are and all you do! So dig in, because we’ve got The Scoop!

AMPED UP FOR MISSIONS

By Annie Polka

“PEOPLE ARE CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. HELPING PEOPLE TO BRING OUT THAT IMAGE WITHIN THEMSELVES AND APPRECIATE IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME.”

Before our interview, I wrote down two adjectives that I think capture Pastor Bryce. To my surprise, when asked to describe himself, he chose the same words. Compassionate and goofy!

His goofiness comes from the joy of the Lord which is a hallmark of his personality.

Compassion is clearly illustrated in his heart for supporting gospel messengers across the globe.

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Last month, Pastor Bryce led the charge for Missions month. Some of his goals included increasing prayer and financial support, raising up a missions-focused volunteer team, and empowering a new wave of diverse missionary candidates to answer the call to serve.

Captivating our spirits and senses, ACAC heard from a creative access missionary who serves in an Islamic majority context, shared Communion with ACAC’s international workers, stepped into the shoes of an immigrant in CIAC’s immersive experience, and were called to actively participate in missions by President John Stumbo’s concluding message. Goff’s planning for October reflected the phrase he often uses when signing off on his emails; “how can I be more helpful?” He helped create a platform for voices often unheard, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, our eyes were opened to the vital role we can play in supporting missions near and far.

PICTURED TOP LEFT: Throwback of Pastor Bryce with his guitar

When we took a moment to talk about his family, it came as no surprise that the Goff’s are big fans of international cuisine. Squirrel Hill is an area they enjoy exploring and continuing their search for the best international restaurant in the Pittsburgh area. Another place the Goff’s have come to appreciate is Ohio Pyle. Experiencing God’s creation and being by the water is a shared love.

Personally, Pastor Bryce’s passion for playing guitar and listening to instrumental guitar music has led him to utilize a talent that few may know about him! Woodworking, specifically building wooden guitar amp cabinets, is one way that Pastor Bryce connects with God at home.

“It uses a totally different part of my brain than I use in ministry.” As he begins a new project and tries to create an ideal version of the guitar amp cabinet, he meditates thinking about the connection this skill has to Christ. “When I am doing things related to carpentry, I think about how Jesus, in his profession, used the tools that would ultimately become the tools used in the method for his sacrifice.”

I asked him if I could print that he is a servant leader in this article, and he said, “I’m not going to say that about myself!” Take a moment this week and thank Pastor Bryce for his humble, servant leadership over missions that stems far beyond the month of October.

PICTURED TOP LEFT:

Pastor Bryce's handmade guitar amp cabinet

PICTURED TOP RIGHT: Pastor Bryce and his wife Stacey

"A NIGHT WE'LL NEVER FORGET AND IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING!" This summer, Pittsburgh was on fire for the Lord! First, the Pittsburgh Prays event welcomed more than 20,000 participants to Heinz Field on July 10 for a time of prayer and worship. The worship leaders came from church denominations from across our metropolitan area. This day of praise and unity gave birth to Steel City Revival in late August.

ACAC Worship Pastor Christian Ballenger and Student Ministries’ Assistant Director Imani Chisom witnessed the event firsthand at the Lumiere Building in the heart of Downtown, Pittsburgh. On a beautiful Friday evening, singers gathered to record and film their songs of praise from the building’s rooftop.

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Worship Pastor Matt Cogley of Grace Life Church spear-headed the idea to host a revival of called leaders. He shared his brainchild with friends and other colleagues.

The event left Pastor Christian inspired to grow and reach more people for Jesus Christ.

“You become a well-rounded minister when you are exposed to people who think differently and who do differently. And this event galvanized the local church body for the kingdom of God,” Ballenger noted.

Check out Steel City Revival's Youtube channel here!

Pastor Christian invited Imani to attend.

“It was such an amazing experience to gather with other believers and be with people from other churches; all believers worshipping the same God for the same reason. Jesus Christ is what unites us,” Chisom commented.

Chisom also took a moment to recognize Sam Costanza, the Acting Assistant Director for ACAC Students’ After-School Program.

“Music can be a tool to attract youth,” Chisom noted.

“God gives us all creativity. I think today’s youth lean into expressing themselves and faith in a unique way.” As Psalm 96:1 says, “O sing unto the Lord a new song.”

“It was nice to experience this youthful heart of worship with Pittsburgh as the backdrop.”

Chisom concluded.

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FINEVIEW OVERLOOK

308 Catoma St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Anna Schell and her family highly recommend finding a moment to “take in the view” at Fineview Overlook located atop this iconic Pittsburgh neighborhood. Have a moment to spare in the mornings or evenings? Catch the sunrise or sunset from this peaceful setting that provides idyllic views of the ‘Burgh.

MAYFLY MARKET BREAKFAST SANDWICHES 1327 Arch St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Did you get up early and watch the sunrise at the Fineview Overlook? Now you’ll need a good breakfast to keep you going as you head into work. The Schell’s are big fans of Mayfly Market and their iconic breakfast sandwich. The Mayfly Sandwich comes loaded with egg, cheddar, spicy mayo, choice of house-made breakfast ham or black forest ham and is served on a toasted brioche bun or a bagel.

Mayfly plays by Chick-Fil-a rules and does not have these made-to-order sandwiches available on Sundays. So, plan your visit Monday-Saturday and enjoy their breakfast delights.

Check out the menu here!

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HR UPDATE

Hey staff! We are going to move our general HR update information to The Scoop 2.0.

Detailed HR items such as benefits annual enrollment, connections exercises, and time sensitive items will be communicated separately as needed. As always, just pop over and see me should you have any questions or feedback on HR related items.

STAFFING UPDATES Dan McHugh, Counseling Assistant Director, has moved from PT to FT effective 11/1. Dan’s role is a collaboration of ACAC and the CCC. As Assistant Director, Dan will oversee the CCC’s approximately 40 counselors ensuring their compliance with state laws, drive the CCC’s operations, and provide oversight of pre-licensed therapists. Dan will also continue to offer counseling to ACAC’s congregants on a limited basis.

Dan’s office is on the 4th floor of Union Place. Thank you for your continued service, Dan

UPCOMING HOLIDAY & OFFICE CLOSURES Thursday & Friday, November 24 & 25 – Happy Thanksgiving!

Accounting check request date for this week is Tuesday, 11/22 Sunday & Monday, December 25 & 26 – Merry Christmas!

December 27-31 – Christmas Break We will have regular services on Saturday, December 31 and Sunday, January 1 Monday, January 2, 2023 – Happy New Year THE 5COOP 2.0 | NOVEMBER

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2023 Holiday Schedule located on the Intranet.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM TIMES FINALIZED! Thursday, December 22 – 7pm Friday, December 23 – 7pm Saturday, December 24 – 1pm

MEDICARE & SOCIAL SECURITY MEETING Whether you or a loved one is approaching Medicare and/or Social Security eligibility age, the nuances of these programs can be difficult to navigate. To help you through this process, Dan Maxwell – Providence Health – will be holding a webinar for any interested staff and their spouses in January.To prepare for this event, please send an email to human.resources@acac.net if you are interested in attending the webinar and provide any general questions you would like to be addressed. Further details will be announced in December.

KUDOS

How it works: each month at chapel or via electronic shoutouts, staff members celebrate and acknowledge prior month actions exemplifying team members living out our culture keystones. All those acknowledged are then added to a Spin the Wheel – Random Picker app and one person or group is dubbed the winner of that month’s award which is a $20, taxable gift card to either Target, Giant Eagle, or Amazon – winner’s choice!

SHOUTOUT WINNERS We are always open to hearing your feedback on what you might appreciate as a winner – please send your feedback to human.resources@acac.net.

Winners noted here should send Cindy an email with their gift card selection.

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

for Owning It and pushing through at Homestead when faced without a bass drum pedal to play at services.

for Making It Better and improving the quality of our AVL system for Women’s Bible Study

BRYCE WILLIAMS

MATT BLACK

CONGRATS!

A big shoutout to Joe and Tracy Grondziowski and Josh Orr who recently graduated from Pennsylvania Bible Institute!

Our team is blessed by your spirit-driven leadership!

Congratulations to Pastor Blaine Workman for his recent recognition of 15 YEARS OF SERVICE in the The Alliance!

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We’re grateful for your humble leadership and commitment to our church family!

PICTURED: Pastor Blaine receiving his award from Marcia Nagel

HAPPY THANKSGIVING PECAN PRALINE SWEET POTATOES Ingredients 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes – Please don’t use canned ½ cup white sugar 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 4 eggs, beaten ½ pint heavy cream ¼ pound butter 1 cup packed brown sugar ½ cup all-purpose flour 2 cups candied pecans – directions below

Directions 1. Butter one 2-quart casserole dish. Preheat oven to 350F 2. In a mixing bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and cream.

Blend well and spread evenly in casserole dish.

3. Prepare the topping by combining the butter, brown sugar, and flour. Mix until crumbly, and sprinkle over sweet potato mixture.

4. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.

5. Spread pecans evenly over the topping.

6. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes.

CANDIED PECANS 2 cups pecans ¼ pound melted butter ½ teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of nutmeg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup brown sugar

Directions Heat the pecans in the oven for 5 minutes. Combine all the ingredients with the hot pecans and mix well. Put them in the freezer until they cool. Use.

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Ingredients

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CULTURE KEYSTONES SPIRIT-DRIVEN CHARACTER MATTERS VALUE PEOPLE OWN IT MAKE IT BETTER WORK TOGETHER LEAD HUMBLY