vol. 14, issue 4
The Messenger April 2018 New Covenant Community Church
1587 West Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44313 330-253-6989 | www.covenantakron.org | office@covenantakron.org
Ecumenical in Outlook, Presbyterian in Heritage
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From Our Governing Board... We had outstanding Lenten activity under the leadership of Pastor Tom. There was a Bible study focusing on Jonah and very meaningful and moving Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. Pastor Tom’s innovative presentations were very well received though lightly attended. We also had a delightful Easter breakfast and a beautiful Easter service. Pastor Tom’s ministry is excellent, and we should all make an effort to ask friends/family to join us in hearing his words. The ICCC Interim Director Reverend Don Ashmall retired effective March 31st. Don stepped up to lead the ICCC and was very helpful to us, often in the background, such as when we were searching for a new pastor. A congratulatory message was sent to him on behalf of our congregation. Reverend Phil Tom will be taking over this position. At our March board meeting, we discussed creating a New Covenant Community https://i.pinimg.com/736x/f6/cf/54/f6cf543d0454c1f0ddd2ee7f71924728--faith-quotes-lds-quotes.jpg Church Endowment Fund to enable bequests from wills and trusts to be contributed to the future of our church. We are in the initial stages of planning, and more will be forthcoming after proper legal arrangements are made. The Board also discussed plans for a Graduation Reception after the service on June 10th. Our graduates this year are Robert Roth, Jacob Bryson, Margaret Roth and Ruth Friedman. Details will be forthcoming, but at this point, it would be good to mark our calendars for this event. Finally, the Board discussed our desire to seek additional ways to go out into the community “to let our light so shine.” We are active principally in AAIC, through Nancy Williams’s leadership, along with the Hunger Walk, Gennesaret, and the Portage Path Book Fair. It would also be helpful to hold community activities in our Fellowship Hall and to increase our presence at activities away from our church. If anyone has thoughts on potential community activities, please discuss with Pastor Tom or a board member. Remember to give way to the pizza delivery dude.
Hal Horton 2018 Governing Board President 2 of 12
From Our Pastor... The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said...Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’” Matthew 28:5-7 Clearly the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most pivotal event in human history, for in raising the crucified body of Jesus from the dead, God overcomes the estranging forces of sin and death that try to defeat us. In raising Jesus from the dead, God has dealt with those nefarious forces and has liberated all creation to celebrate life in its fullness. Because Jesus is alive, God’s new world has been inaugurated, and the old world can no longer be tolerated. However, while the resurrection of Jesus tells us that the powers of evil are fighting a losing battle, they have not yet admitted defeat, and, as a result, there is still work to be done. We cannot sit back with a sigh of relief and convince ourselves that everything is hunkydory. On the contrary, as we live in the shadow of school shootings...and as we experience the hostility between people of different religions, races, and political persuasions...and as we witness the steady destruction of the environment...and as we encounter conflicts among families, churches, cultures, and nations, there is still work to be done. Yet, Christ’s resurrection affirms that God has already challenged and defeated the powers of darkness, and all disciples of Jesus Christ are summoned to unite with our Lord in working to bring life where there is death, hope where there is despair, love where there is hatred, and reconciliation where there is division. (continued on pg. 4) 3 of 12
So, because we are called to a life of faithful discipleship, the risen Christ invites us to proclaim and embody the good news of the resurrection. As Christians, we work for Christ as we anticipate the time when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. We participate with Christ in serving as He has served us, in treating our neighbor’s needs as our own, and in urging all nations to devote as much wealth, intelligence and energy in making peace as these nations have contributed to making war. We join the risen Christ in promoting the Kingdom of God, where all people will one day gather at His joyful banquet, where all languages of the planet will sing in harmony, and where we commit ourselves to love those who do not love, to dream for those who do not dream, to believe for those who do not believe, until the day when hope becomes a reality. As we continue to bask in the light of the resurrection, let’s also embrace God’s work by following our risen Lord who always goes before us and shows us the way. Blessings, Tom
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From the Fellowship Committee... We hosted a successful Easter breakfast and egg hunt on April 1st. Our freewill offering totaled over $80, which will go toward the kitchen renovation. The next meeting of the Fellowship Committee is Thursday, April 19th, at 10:00 am, in the Fellowship Hall. On the agenda will be our assistance with the “Sandwiches ‘N Signs” lunch on Sunday, April 29th, and the Hunger Walk on Sunday, May 6th. A June activity will also be planned.
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Children in attendance at the April 1st Easter Breakfast had a great time hunting for the eggs hidden by our own Margaret Roth! 6 of 12
From the AAIC... On Saturday, March 31st, I had the opportunity to attend my first Passover Seder at Temple Israel. This event was billed as a “Seder of Refuge.” The Seder went beyond the Exodus story to explain the problems of refugees and immigrants today and how their experiences are similar to those of the Jews. What I continue to be most impressed by is how people of different religions are welcomed to one another’s faith traditions. A reminder to everyone that AAIC is sponsoring its Spring Event, “Come Together,” an interfaith musical program on Saturday, April 21st, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm, at Bath Church. Attendees will enjoy a variety of music, from the Harmony Chorus, to a bell choir, to our friend Mark Greer, of One Family Under Guard, on the piano. There will also be Hindu dancers, an Islamic chant, duets, and solos. The evening should provide variety for everyone. Cookies (provided by Heidi Heischman and Crest Bakery), punch, and coffee will follow in the Narthex outside the Sanctuary, where the program will take place. The community award this year goes to SWAG (Students with a Goal), a quite accomplished group of young people. A sign-up sheet for attendance and ride purposes is located on the table in our church hallway. A few spots remain for the Wednesday, April 11th, “Welcoming the Stranger: Perspectives on Immigration and Migration” event. This free dinner and program will take place in the Elms Cafeteria (1375 W. Exchange St.). Information about this year’s Hunger Walk is available on page 8. Nancy Williams 7 of 12
Hunger Walks, Sunday, May 6th Sponsored by the AAIC NCCC participates in the Fairlawn Hunger Walk, which begins with registration at 2:00 pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Church (UUC; 3300 Morewood Rd.). Both the one- and two-mile walks start at 3:00 pm, from the UUC. Kickoff Sunday for our church is tomorrow, April 8th, during the worship service. The kickoff will include a brief video as well as a presentation by Cathy King and Nancy Williams. For our church, please note the following: ▪ For non-walkers, please give your check or cash to Cathy King on one of the following Sundays: April 8th, 15th, 22nd, or 29th. Checks should be made out to NCCC, with “Hunger Walk” noted in the memo line. ▪ For walkers, please sign the sheet located on the hall table and take a walking envelope with you. You will turn in this envelope on Sunday, May 6th, when you arrive for registration at the Unitarian Universalist Church. One envelope should be used per family. ▪ New this year: NCCC members who are contributing funds toward the Hunger Walk, whether walking or not, are invited to a FREE “Sandwiches ‘N signs” lunch on Sunday, April 29th. This lunch will take place in our Fellowship Hall, following the morning worship service. In addition to sharing a meal together, we will construct three walking signs and share a few interesting facts about hunger, etc. Because the event is free, people must sign up to attend by April 22nd. ▪ T-Shirt Sunday is scheduled for May 6th, the day of the Walk. Please wear your NCCC t-shirt to church! (Information continues on pg. 9) 8 of 12
Hunger Walk Info Continued... For your information, the 2017 statistics for hunger in Summit County are 15.7%, which translates into 85,100 food-insecure individuals. The county’s child food insecurity rate is 10.9 %, for a total of 24,800 food-insecure children. These statistics are better than those for 2016, but they are still not good. Figures are from the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Please remember that all of your monetary donations go directly to the Foodbank for food. Both the one- and two-mile walks began at the Unitarian Universalist Church and travel east on Market Street. One-mile walkers will turn just past Trunko, at the bus station near the BP, and return to the church. Twomile walkers will cross Market Street at the Summit Mall and continue to the Fairlawn Town Center, where they will cross the street and return to the church. The Fairlawn Police and volunteers will be on hand to guide walkers throughout the event. Entertainment prior to the Walk begins at 2:00 pm, in the Unitarian Universalist Church’s Fellowship Hall (Hannah Hall). Just before the Walk begins at 3:00 pm, the Rev. Tim Temerson will say a blessing for the walkers, who will then gather outside for a group photo. Following the Walk, light refreshments will be available, including soups from the Islamic Center, the Church of Latter-day Saints, and the Unitarian Church, plus beverages and fruit, breads, cookies, and brownies donated by Main St. Muffins. Refreshment time is a great opportunity to mingle with other faith groups. 9 of 12
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