Christ United Methodist Church Newsletter
339 Frank Scott Parkway East Fairview Heights, IL 62208 618.277.4659 mail@connectingwithchrist.com
www.connectingwithchrist.com
May / June 2010 Edition
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID E. St. Louis, IL Permit #2290
RETURN ADDRESS REQUESTED
remedy the crisis in Uganda. With God’s grace and the help of family, friends, and our church, I will be fortunate to serve as a medical missionary this summer for 6 weeks from June 14 to July 23 in the village of Kamonkoli working at Marah Medical Center, a small medical clinic that serves the village. While working at the clinic, I will be reaching out and spreading the gospel by providing compassionate care for the whole person aiming to foster optimum health and bring comfort in suffering for anyone who is in need.
I
will also be working at an orphanage in Kamonkoli with Hines Ugandan Ministries. Last fall Christ Church partnered with this ministry financially to support theirAWANAprogram. While at the orphanage, I will be leading bible studies and teaching the children about life skills.
W
I
t is 5 a.m., just another typical morning for John as he wakes up to start his day. Rising out of bed John does not feel right. Feeling faint and dizzy, complaining of severe abdominal pain, he wakes up Jenny, his wife of 37 years. Jenny frantically calls 911 and within 10 minutes an ambulance crew is at John’s bedside. Within 15 minutes, John is at the local city hospital and seen by emergency department staff and a doctor. That afternoon, John’s illness was diagnosed and treated. Prescriptions were ordered and he was discharged home.
hile God has opened up this door for me to develop a greater heart of compassion for His people around the world, the exciting part is that you will be able to share in this compassion. I will need prayers that God will prepare me for my visit and bless my efforts as I minister to the people of Uganda. I will also need prayers that my financial needs will be met. If you feel God leading you to make a financial contribution to support the ministry that I will be a part of in Uganda, you may do so by making a contribution per one thousand people and access to the Christ Church Missionary Fund. to medical care is nearly unheard of. y hope and prayer is that I will be able to make a difference in the n rural Uganda this is the case. There world we live in and to be able to touch are no local emergency departments or the people that I serve in Uganda with the ambulance services. To see a doctor you love that Christ has to offer. I look forward must hike for miles—a difficult task if you to doing God’s work and letting you know are feeling unwell. If a serious problem all about how God has worked through arises for an individual where he or she becomes sick or injured, that person is me when I return at the end of July.
I
M
carried on a makeshift stretcher by friends or family. The trip to seek out medical Todd Griffin care is generally long and bumpy. Along with having a long trip to seek medical care, supplies and medications are espite our current healthcare almost always lacking. Without outside crisis, Americans fair far better intervention, Ugandans have little hope than Ugandans. In the United States, of adequate healthcare of any kind. there are more than four health care workers per one thousand people. hrough much prayer and hearing Imagine living in a country where there God’s call, I came to understand may be only one healthcare worker that I should be a part of the mission to
D
T
A
year ago I was standing in ICU expecting the end of a season in my life. Doctors certainly had not given me much hope regarding Ann’s survival. This morning I watched Ann drive off to work—the tail end of a season of God’s transformational work. About that same time my phone rang. It was a friend who had called earlier requesting prayer for his buddy clinging to life in ICU. He called to tell of his dear friend’s passing. For everything there is a season.
G
alatians 5:22-23 tells of nine different fruit planted in us when we receive Christ. It is my understanding that most fruit is not very good until it has a chance to ripen. The best fruit is cultivated, nurtured, watered, encouraged—yes, I know people who talk to their plants. Love, joy, peace . . . have been planted. What it produces in you is all related to what we do with it today. For everything there is a season. Since we do not know the season, we had better get out e just never know, do we? What in the orchard and get to work. Today bothers me most is our flippant is the season for everything planted in attitude about these seasons of life. us and what we are to plant in others! We say such things as: “Well, God’s will be done.” “What ever will be will Rev. Bernie Kneale be.” I wish it were so easy. For every season there is work to be done. Seeds to plant in the spring. Crops to cultivate in the summer. Harvests to be reaped and stored in the fall. Plans to be made for the next season in the winter. But in human life, we are never certain which season we will be in tomorrow.
W W
e are fortunate in the Midwest to have four distinct seasons. Each has its own character. These characteristics are often related to human life: Spring is birth and growth, summer is the time of growing to maturity, fall is the season of decline, and winter marks the end. Yes, for everything there is a season.
L
ife, even a long life, goes by in a flicker like an evening movie projected onto a stretched bed sheet before a crowd of Sailors and Marines soon to go into battle in the South Pacific. And here we are remembering them this day as we see our own lives continue frame by frame, day by day, because of those who gave their lives so we could do so. Men and women, sons, daughters, fathers, mothers...all willing to show the ultimate love described by Jesus when He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” John 15:13 (NIV). For us they fell. Some fell on the battle fields, some fell many years later of wounds and scars incurred there. Never was it more profoundly brought home than when Donna and I stood together all alone amidst the sea of testifying white markers in the American War Cemetery in Anzio, Italy, on the 60th anniversary of that powerful event. We both shed tears at the sight of so many of our lost countrymen; yet we were so very proud of them as we wept. Even with nearly 30 years’ military service behind me, I felt very small and at the same time very blessed to behold such a wonderful sacrifice for each of us.
D
uring times of conflict many of us still remember the uncountable hours spent waiting and hoping for loved ones to return from fox holes, aircraft and ships, many of us remember serving side-by-side with those same comrades over there. All of us gave a part of ourselves for the greater cause of those times and none of us can forget those who can no longer stand with us today as we remember. Because they cannot, we must remember for them this moment, this very day. We must stand still both privately and publicly to study the movie frames of our lives on this
Memorial Day to once again hear their voices and laughter, to see their smiles and their tears, to give pause to our own moment in order to honor those who died for our freedom. We remember.
Michael Harrison
The World As I See It by Rev Shane
3. Insight: We need leaders who have a sense of where the world is going and have a passion for reaching it for Christ. We are going to have to learn to speak a new language to be relevant in this new world. 4. Humility: Arrogant leaders will not do. We need to take on the posture of thanksgiving, the role of lifelong learners and strive to keep the “me” out of Methodist. 5. Impulse control: Self-management is the key for sustained leadership. We need leaders with true character!
I
was not reared in the United Methodist tradition. Melissa and I found the Louisville United Methodist church when I was teaching and coaching in the mid80’s; it was only then I began to take a serious look into Methodism. In Methodism I found a theological tradition to call my home and my love and appreciation for her only grows as the years pass by. I became a Methodist because the movement had good roots and I believe these deep Biblical and historical roots to be our best hope for a future.
M
ainline Christianity in general and the United Methodist Church in particular is dying in the USA. While attending a conference last year, Rev. Adam Hamilton of the Church of the Resurrection reported that at our current rate of decline, American United Methodism will be extinct in 44 years. Founder John Wesley wrote, “I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power.” I am sad to report that the news may be even worse than Wesley feared.
6. Sensitivity: Change involves loss and developing empathy for those who n the midst of sharp decline, Christ feel loss while still having the courage Church has been a bastion of to effect change is essential. growth and vitality for the conference, ould you join me in praying for jurisdiction and the denomination. We God to raise up great leaders for have grown from 200 to 1,300 and now stand as the second largest United the United Methodist Church? Might Methodist Church in the state of Illinois some of those leaders come from our and among the largest in the country. congregation? I truly hope that the great I believe that the key to transformation days of United Methodism are not all of the United Methodist Church begins behind us in the USA. We have good and ends with leadership. We were roots…it is an excellent place to start! founded on great leaders like Wesley, McKendree and Cartwright and we need great leaders again! We desperately need to pray for gifted, exceptional and visionary young leaders to be called into ministry from our churches to lead us into a new era and a new world.
I
The Stuff of Transformation 1. Persistence: Most of our churches are going to have to change or die. It will involve asking people in the church to sacrifice their personal preferences and that is a tough ask. 2. Optimism: We need leaders who are consumed by the “joy of the Lord!” Tough work can only be accomplished by enthusiastic leaders.
W
A Season for Growth
By the time you read this issue of The Flame, you will have received an informational letter and return postcard in the mail. If you’re interested, please fill it out and send it in. If you have not received a postcard, you can get one at the Activity Center in Scripture Hall. Please pray about joining Summer Smorgasbord. If you have even the slightest interest, return the card by May 12 and open the door for a leader to answer any questions you may have. We hope and pray you will embark on this adventure! For more information, contact:
Mary Ann Turner (618) 257.2458 Nancy Weber (618) 514.2388 Emily Climaco (618) 531.3310 Summer Smorgasbord starts June 8 Gail Johnson (618) 624.8224 and runs 7-8 weeks for 1½ hours a week, either in a group leader’s home or at the church. This year’s four Bible study selections include: Dee Brestin’s The God of All Comfort; Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, and Priscilla Shirer’s Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed; Jennifer Rothschild’s Self Talk, Soul Talk; and Adventurous Prayer from the Women of Faith Series.
Summer Bible Studies for Women Calling all women in our community, neighborhoods, and circle of friends! CUMC Women’s Ministry invites you to “Summer Smorgasbord,” an opportunity to study God’s word, make new friends, and renew long-standing acquaintances in an intimate setting. We call it a “smorgasbord” because you can take as little or as much as you like—attend when you can, bask in biblical discussion, and relax in His grace.
There’s no denying it: We will all one day die. We will die because of a fundamental law of life: change, namely from life to death. But that’s not the entire story about change. We see change in seasons--relationships, jobs, churches and children. Mind you, this is a good thing. It keeps us on our toes. Change allows us to adapt to new situations and grow on the inside. It stretches and forces us to evaluate our lives, to ask the ques-
harmony and conflict--life and death. This is because we are bound by time. Fortunately, God is not. Listen: Even the painful things are set in place by God, but in time He will make everything beautiful, including death. This is a great source of hope for people like you and me who long tion: Is what we did last year still work- for an eternity that makes sense of the ing this year? Change that comes at never-ending change in life. us through trials and tribulations keeps us from getting bored, stagnant, sloth- In the meantime, because God does ful, even selfish. Trials will often bring not change, we know that the Bible still our eyes off ourselves and to others, has answers, prayer will always work, namely Christ. In fact, Christians en- the Holy Spirit still moves and Jesus dure one of the greatest changes of all still saves. Those things, my friends, time--from dead, blind sinners to spiri- will never change. tually alive saints. Demian Farnworth Naturally, because of change, our world is a mixture of joy and sorrow,
Christ Church
Events & Announcements
FoodPantry Fairview Heights
The Fairview Heights Food Pantry continues to see an increase of families in need of assistance. Your gifts mean so much.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July 19-23 6 to 8 p.m. 3 yr olds - completed 5th graders
Are you new to Christ Church or been attending for many years? Is studying the Bible new to you or do you have daily devotions? Are you a teenager or adult? Vacation Bible School is a fun way to get connected with the Bible and with others at church. We have opportunities for everyone to help at VBS.
VBS FAMILY ROUNDUP
3 yr olds - completed 5th graders (Parents must accompany their children) Sunday, May 30 9:45-10:30.a.m. (between services) Gym
Refreshments Registration Decorate your VBS t-shirts Music Games This year’s theme is SADDLE RIDGE Line dancing RANCH: Roundin Up Questions and Drivin Home Answers. We are looking for props and decorations that have anything to do with cowboys, cowgirls and ranches. If you can paint by numbers, color within the VBS Volunteers lines or create a mural, we can use your (teen helpers and adults) help. There will be an important meeting Volunteers are needed in the following ar- Sunday, May 23 9:50-10:20 a.m. eas: (between services) Co-teachers, snacks, crafts, mailings, Conference Room A
teachers’ helpers, missions, advertising, recreation, music, attendance, registra- You will receive your teaching material, tion, name tags, drama, decorating, shuttle assignments, schedules and drivers, iron T-shirts, dinners for the teach- fill out important paperwork. ers, setup and cleanup. If you cannot attend, please contact: Contact Liz Reed or Terry Frey if you have Liz Reed any questions or can help in any area. RETKNA6@AOL.COM 212.1891 JOIN THE VBS ROUNDUP! Liz Reed 212.1891 RETKNA6@aol.com Terry Frey 212.1871 terry@connectingwithchrist.com
Right now the following items are in short supply: Canned Meat/Tuna Canned or Dry Beans Canned or Dry Pasta Catsup Cleaning Supplies Cooking Oil Flour Hygiene Items Laundry Detergent Mayonnaise Mustard Olives Pasta Sauce Pepper Pickles Salad Dressings Salt Sugar Just remember, if your family uses it - it’s needed at the Pantry. Just drop your items off in the bin in the vending machine room. As we serve others, we serve the Lord. What a privilege!
Bud Baron Scholarship
Christ Church has established a scholarship fund in memoriam of Bud Baron to assist college students studying a ministerial curriculum at an approved Bible college or seminary. Students who desire to be recipients of the scholarship shall contact the church office for an application. The completed application, along with an essay of no more than 200 words in length (topic of essay will be on the application), will be due to the church office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 28th.
Christ Church
Events & Announcements HEALTHEVENTS Cancer Presentation in May On Monday, May 24, a representative from the American Cancer Society will join us in the Chapel at 7:00 p.m. to discuss some of the services and programs that are available through their organization. Most of these services are free and easy to obtain. The program is free and open to anyone. No sign up is necessary. If you have questions or want further information, please contact Jeri Horowitz RN in the Parish Nurse office at 277.4659, ext 1881, or jerilyn@connectingwithchrist.com
Making Choices About Hospice Many of us have wondered about Hospice Care—what is it, when it is appropriate, and who pays for it. No one likes to think of end-of-life issues, but the truth is, we will all encounter the end of life. Wouldn’t it be better to know what your options are ahead of time so that you could participate in those decisions? Lisa Phillipson, the Community Educator for Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc, will present a program for us on Hospice Care Monday, June 28, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Having heard Lisa speak recently, I know that she will be able to give you some great information and answer many of the questions that you may have. No registration is necessary and the program is free and open to the public. If you have questions or want further information, please contact Jeri Horowitz RN in the Parish Nurse office at 277.4659, ext 1881, or jerilyn@connectingwithchrist.com
Blood Pressure Schedule The Parish Nurses are now doing blood pressure checks on the first Saturday night of the month in the Coffee Café from 4:306:00 p.m. No need to sign up, just show up! The Sunday morning blood pressures, held the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, are now located in the Office Complex (old Fellowship Hall). Nurses will be there between 9:30-11:00 a.m. Due to the Mother’s Day holiday, May blood pressures will be held on Sunday, May 16 and 30. If you have any questions, please call the Parish Nurse office at 277.4659, ext 1881.
United Methodist Women The United Methodist Women have welcomed several new faces over the past few months. We are growing and excited about the ideas and energy these new members will bring. If you’re not already an active part of the UMW, why not check us out? There’s a place for you! Our next general membership meeting will be Tuesday, May 25 at 9:30 a.m. Our speaker will be Rev. Allen Miller who always brings a challenging message. Mark your calendars now: Our annual Family Picnic will be June 22 in the church pavilion. Fried chicken will be provided by the UMW with each attending family bringing a dish - a salad, casserole, vegetable
or dessert. The annual picnic is always fun and a great time to meet and greet both new and old friends. Blessings, Marge Oppedal, President
Preview of coming attractions. Saturday, July 10 at 8:30 a.m., will be a Men’s breakfast. In October we will host a Chicken and Dumpling dinner on Wednesday, October 13, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. All are invited. Also, there will be a Methodist Men’s day at Busch Stadium, Saturday, May 22, game time 1:15 p.m. There will be a number of ticket prices available. This event is sponsored by Mississippi River District UMM. George Clifton, President
Heavenly Jewels
Sanctuary
O
utreach is part of what we do here at Christ Church. Usually, when we think of outreach, we think of the Winter Patrol, or the 10,000 Campaign, but did you know there is a different kind of outreach growing here? Heavenly Jewels offers hand-crafted salvation bracelets as gifts to men and women who really need to hear the Good News of Jesus. It is a special growing ministry that seeks to share the gospel message with those who are experiencing a significant emotional event in their lives. Offering these people prayer and an outward, visible symbol of the salvation of Christ reminds them that they are not alone in what may be their darkest hour.
Donna Germany
A whisper of thought flows out of the garden. Following the paths that lead to the stone of hope, of life and sanctuary, the soft, persistent sound of water echoes through the flowers. Roses trail over the statues.
Silently, isolated, it sits-- the statue at the center of the garden. Among the yellow daffodils and purple flowering azaleas, I find sanctuary. The small koi pond waits with its crystal water pulsing and cascading over the rocks and he people who receive the bracelets recipient. Recipients can be believers, stone. are facing some of life’s toughest
T
trials. More than ever, they need to know that Jesus is present in their lives. Things like living in a shelter, divorce, family separation, serious illness, severe depression, life-altering injury, or death of a loved one threaten to plunge us into the depths of despair. It is during those times of utter hopelessness that we need to be reminded that God loves us, and that He is the light that can break through the darkness.
nonbelievers, or anyone in between. Bracelets are given anonymously and Along the paths of stone are available for both men and women. and herbal walkway, flowers bloom in the early dawn. The garden If you know someone who is experi- becomes the sanctuary encing an emotionally traumatic time of thought and peace. Water and really needs to hear the good sits calmly awaiting weary travelers. The statue news of Jesus for the first or the hunof a lion stands guard over the entrance, dredth time, salvation bracelets may ready be requested by contacting: to protect and defend. Stone
Christine McNulty rafted from stunning Swarovski mcnulty5@charter.net crystals and sterling silver, salvation 618.622.9522 bracelets are beautiful, tangible reminders of the salvation Christ Theresa Cavalier offers each of us. Each color crystal cav79@charter.net symbolizes an aspect of this salvation. 618.257.8346 Yellow represents the love God has for eavenly Jewels meets the first us and the fact that we are more precious Thursday of every month from 6:30 to Him than pure gold. It also asks us to remember that our final rewards are to 8:00 p.m. in room C2. If you would like stored in heaven, and not here on Earth. to get involved with Heavenly Jewels, contact Black represents sin, which separates please us from a loving God. Red stands for Chris or Theresa. ministry is the blood of Christ, which was shed on The seeking the cross for each of us. White is for also warriors forgiveness. We are forgiven when we prayer confess our sins and accept Jesus into who would like to bracelets our hearts. The blue crystal represents deliver the water of baptism, washing away our and pray with those receiving sins and bringing us into the body of them. Look for great things to come Christ. Green is for growth in faith and a from this very special ministry! new life in Jesus. Each bracelet is handdelivered, and offered with a prayer for the
C
H
and metal meet at the fountain. shoots out catching a drooping flower.
Water
Among the shade garden I wander, waiting to believe. The garden comes alive with butterflies and yellow jackets. Water statues burst into action. Stones become slick. The sanctuary is filled with flight. Flowers are plundered for their nectar. Water abounds here. The wind tosses the white flowering sweet autumn clematis. Statues watch the passing day, as I feel the serenity of the garden wash over me. Peace and hope fill my heart. My sanctuary, a garden of quiet flowers and water filled with statues of standing stone.
No Greater Love Ministry
2010 Indy 500 Outreach Gentlemen, Great Men of God, It is time to START YOUR ENGINES for the Indy 500!!!!!!!!! May 28, 29 and 30! What a great place to witness? They have an awesome parade for our clowns and Georgetown Street works great for the night crowd. Then on Sunday, we can reach out to all the fans going into the race. It is also a great place for fathers to take their sons and then take the boys to the infield to see the historic car museum. As a boy, I remember listening to the Indy 500 on Individual donation $75; young men the radio. I never would have dreamed $35 (16 and older). Apply online at the day would come that we would be www.nogreaterlove.org/application.html going there to witness for our Lord. Join Christian men from across the Will you go for Jesus? We leave from country to share Jesus at the Indy 500. the church parking lot May 28 at 10 This is an exciting event for the new a.m. and return Sunday, May 30 at 6 believer to watch how others share their faith and see people come to a p.m. saving knowledge of Christ.
Preparing the Way of the Lord:
Even if the Good News’, dressed up as a clown.
One silent march, on uncertain ground. A solemn vow, a deafening sound. Sanctified soldiers, of the Lord’s Brigade.
In the streets all day, returning at night. With the whole armor of God, fighting the good fight.
Muted Missionaries
Striding united, a soul-saving parade. Confounded they stand, convicted they fall Words and beads dropping, with jaws in awe. Our Message, the Messiah, not welcome in town.
We’ll march & praise & preach & pray, Informing souls on surviving Judgment Day. With love & joy & peace abounding, The angels of Thy Lord surrounding. The Spirit’s Power from God above, In Christ forever, NO GREATER LOVE! ~Daniel A. Rice
For more information contact: Bernie Kneale bkneale@accessus.net , 977.0053 or Craig LeQuatte clequatte@hotmail.com, 401.9019
Watch Us Grow! New Members March
Attendance April Worship
= 1580
April Connection Classes = 320 Year Avg. Worship
= 1364
Year Avg. Connection Classes
= 429
Worship Opportunities: Saturday: 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM Sunday:
8:30 AM, 10:30 AM Worship & Sunday School 10:00 - 10:30 AM Family Fellowship in Christ Church Café
Sunday Evening:
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM Fellowship 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM Praise & Worship
Kelly L. Costello Paul T. Costello Carrie Anna Moonier Chad Michael Weiglein
April
Abigail Anderson Ethan Zane Berndt Madison Lauren Bradshaw Zoe Christopher Leah McBride Cuddeback Andrew Dori Emily Eichholz Kylie Elizabeth Georgian Huwemona Earl Griffin Israel Earl Griffin Erika Harvey Chase Haselhorst Karlee Hubble Michael Kelley Joshua Michael Kern Brooke Erin Laidley Zoe Michalowski Lela Roach Kaitlin Schroeder Logan Schell Seger Alex Smith Michael Thoele Nicholas Thoele
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Connection Classes
as of May 9, 2010
Barb Anthony Phil Anthony Theresa L. Stephan Norman P. Stephan Joshua T. Benitone Sarah E. Nation Brittani Jackson Jeffrey W. Allen Linda Duncan Randy Duncan Jon Clark Robyn Clark
Baptisms April
Ethan Zane Berndt Brooke Erin Laidley
May
Joshua Conley Williams
Members Passing April - Charles “Bud” Grider, Jr.
Marriages Amber Lynn Ziessler & Nicholas James Birkner C. J. Rogers & Sondra Bockewitz
General Budget
Change The World
YTD Expenses $572,714.71
Pledge Goal to Date $1,622,218.38
YTD Giving $602,218.77
Finances
May
Annual Budget $1,680,054.00
Gifts to Date $1,602,868.58
T
here is a time for everything. At first, this seems like a general sentiment or statement. But, there is a time for everything is actually a biblical teaching! In the Old Testament in Ecclesiastes 3, Solomon reflects as well as muses and meditates, “There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.” There is a time to plant and a time to harvest; a time to tear down and a time to rebuild.
T
he idea of tearing something down and rebuilding can be a little jarring and unsettling, but we can get through it. Down in Nashville, Tennessee, people have transitioned from the Country Music Hall of Fame being a building resembling a big old red barn to where now the Country Music Hall of Fame is a sleek piece of architecture that blends in with the Nashville skyline. My wife Angie and I tried to get into the new building one time, but it was too crowded – which shows ometimes we must tear down to that people down there have transitioned build something up – hopefully from the big red barn to a new building. better. Consider a time to rebuild. Nevertheless, an uprooting took place. Valmeyer, Illinois, sits on the Mississippi River, 1 hour from St. Louis. In the past s we think of the reality that there’s a Valmeyer endured the Great Flood of ’93. time to build and a time to tear down, The whole town was completely flooded. nothing lasts forever. Put a qualifier on Homes, schools, churches, businesses, that: nothing temporal – earthly – lasts banks, farmland, restaurants – the whole forever. Buildings, people, trees, they town was washed away. What was all fade away – nothing lasts forever. Valmeyer’s response? After shock and Only the Word of God will stand forever. the sentiment of “Oh my goodness, this is That’s sobering. As we find ourselves awful” the city of Valmeyer responds with headed closer to summer, there are its instinct: “although we lost everything transitions, times of building and tearing we still want to stay!” That’s not denying down all around us – literally and that they didn’t ask the question, figuratively. In Christ Church alone, Why? Valmeyer decides to rebuild there’s been a good deal of building the entire town – 1 mile away from the and tearing down all around us! Add Mississippi River! Valmeyer was tested to that: several families are in transition several years ago. Today, Valmeyer is with houses – building, selling, and/or stronger as a town and as a community. buying homes. We have some other church families that are experiencing here is a time for everything, a season job changes, promotions, new jobs, for every activity under heaven. career changes, and there are people Consider a time to tear down. The Wall, that we have said hello and welcomed. The Berlin Wall stood for over 25 years. That’s a lot of movement! Throughout The Wall separated East Germany from the summer, vacations even qualify as West Germany. Some people died trying transitions. This fall we’ll have children to climb over the Wall. Other people and youth and young adults going to were successful and escaped. Years new schools. Everywhere we look there ago, President Reagan told Gorbachev are people in transition. There are times “tear down this Wall.” Years later, the to build and there are times to tear down. Wall was torn down. Rebuilding began.
S
A
T
The long-term of a unified Germany is
uncertain. East Germans and West Germans deal with each other; they have conflicts, disputes, issues to be worked out. They have to “rebuild” in a sense. People once separated have an opportunity to come together. Likewise here in Christ Church, we continue to build momentum and unity.
W
e engage in times of tearing down, building, and rebuilding whether we build actual buildings (we’ve done that!), or whether we build new relationships or rebuild old relationships. Till the end, we each constantly look at what needs to be torn down and what needs to be rebuilt. Life is full of transitions. There is a time for everything indeed. Join me in looking at this summer as a time to either build or “rebuild” with God. And know God’s promise in our lives, His Word – “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) May our hope always be in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ. Through all the building, all the tearing down, and all the rebuilding, God gives us a future and a hope. In God is our trust. Thanks Be to God!
Rev. Allen
T
he Men’s Softball Ministry also offers volunteer opportunities for those who are unable to play due to physical limitations yet would like to be part of the team. There are multiple support positions which need to be filled each season. Among those are:
The mission of the Christ Church having to worry about facing more experienced groups. Once those teams Men’s Softball Ministry is: are established and strong enough, they To connect men and their families with can be moved into Division I to compete against more experienced teams in order Jesus Christ our Lord; to continue to grow. Christ Church has To develop accountability relationships two teams in Division I and one team in between men of God; Division II. Games are played on Monday To develop our spirits and bodies for nights during the summer months. We the purpose of fulfilling the Lord’s Great use several fields in the Belleville/ Fairview Heights area (often other Commission. church fields and public school fields). All game nights are double headers with e have teams which compete the first game beginning at 6:15 and in a variety of venues in order to game two at 7:20. The night usually allow men of different athletic ability to concludes at 8:15 with many players compete in an environment which best and their families gathering at a local suits their talent. Our ministry leaders restaurant for fellowship time afterward. will do their best to place men on teams which will allow them to compete at a level which will prevent them from Tournament Division hurting themselves or others while at Our Tournament Team is a specialized the same time ensure that each team outreach group which was built to be will be competitive in their division. In order to accomplish this, all players new to this ministry will be evaluated in simulated game situations and assigned to the team which not only is a fit for their skill level but will fulfill the needs of the team as a whole. This IS NOT a tryout to join the team but rather a tool we are going to start using to make sure everybody can compete safely. With that being said, I would like to present information about the different venues of competition available through the competitive in local public leagues and Christ Church Men’s Softball Ministry: tournaments. They have competed (with much success) in tournaments throughout the region including Troy, Red Bud, John Ellis Memorial Division and Damiansville. They have also comThis league is composed of teams from peted in the “Midnight Madness” event various churches in the Metro-East rehosted in St. Charles, MO. Their skills gion. It is divided into two separate diviare kept sharp by participating in highly sions: Division I houses strong, expericompetitive public leagues in the area. enced teams who have been competing This is an outreach team and for that reatogether for a number of years. Players son many of the players on this team will are often young and very athletic yet this be charged with evangelizing to those division still contains its fair number of with whom they come into contact. Also, strong, capable “veterans” of the sport. due to the competitive level of the teams they face, members of this group need ivision II was created for teams to be players with “better-than-average” who are in the building process to physical ability. allow them to gain playing experience against other newer teams without
W
D
1)Base Coaches who will help coordinate the offense; 2)Scorekeepers who will keep statistics for the team to which they are assigned; 3)Photographers who will take “action” photos of the teams; 4)Sports Writers to provide a game summary for publication on the team website.
T
he men of Christ Church Softball invite you to join us on the field every Monday evening during the summer months. The Tournament Team is already competing on Tuesday nights in O’Fallon and Thursday night at Citizen’s Park in Belleville, while our Ellis League teams are in the process of preparing for their season which will begin on Monday, June 7. If you would like to keep tabs on what is happening with your men’s softball teams, check out our team website at www. leaguelineup.com/christchurchsoftball. Take a look at the game schedule, then grab a chair and join us in the bleachers for an evening of softball.
Christ Church Men’s Softball; It’s More Than Just A Ballgame! Jim Shoffstall