THE WRIGHT UPS Wright Congregational United Church of Christ 4821 Franklin Rd, Boise, ID 83705 Office: Tues-Thurs 9-Noon and 1-3:00 208-343-0292 email: church.office@wrightucc.org web: www.wrightucc.org
JULY 2017 ISSUE Greetings Wright Church! I write to you today from Wisconsin during my two weeks away from home. My time has been filled with family and extended family, friends from long ago, my childhood church family, all of us coming together to celebrate the life of my dad and to grieve his passing from the world we know. God has been tangibly present in each person who has shared memories of how Dad touched their lives and I have been reminded of how much impact we really have on the world around us. Dad lived his entire life in Casey, Illinois but the mark he left on the world is so much bigger than Casey. His life has a ripple effect that reaches far across the land as those of us who knew him take what he gave us and continue the ripple by giving it to the people we know and interact with. Dad was a kind, passionate, and humble soul who lives on through all of us who knew him and the part of Dad who lives in me will also impact you. That is a humbling thought. Do we really understand just how much our lives impact the world? Do we think about the ripple we leave behind? If you are like me, I tend to think my little life really doesn’t make much difference in the big picture of things. The universe is bigger than my imagination. Eternity is beyond my comprehension, yet this last week of remembering my dad and seeing the long lines of people who came to pay their respects and share the many ways he impacted their lives, made me think our ripple is bigger than we can possibly know. What kind of ripple am I making? What kind of ripple are you making in the world? Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Mother Teresa created many ripples that are positive and make our world a better place. To be fair, not all of our ripples are positive. Negative energy and hatefulness also have a ripple effect on the world and we must own the negative impact our lives can have. Part of becoming a mature Christian is accepting responsibility for the choices we make that hurt others. Jesus knew very well that we will make some bad choices and he illustrated the power of his love by reaching out to those who had strayed in order to give them a chance to reconcile themselves to the world. Take Zacchaeus for example. He had sold his soul to the Roman government and was profiting off his own people by cheating them out of unfair taxes. Jesus called him out, accepting him as he was, and that love and acceptance made him want to make things right with the people he had cheated. In the end, Zacchaeus made a very positive ripple in the world to all of us who know him as the man who messed up but had the courage to make things right. That’s a powerfully good ripple to make. What kind of ripples are we making? We are all a mixed bag of good and bad ripples, but as we grow together in our love for Christ, I believe our ripples will move more toward the kind we all hope to leave behind when our families gather to celebrate the end of our life on earth and the beginning of our life eternal. May it be so. Amen. In love of Christ, Pastor Kathy
Worship Schedule July 2 -Holy Welcome
Worship in Music; Jack Brown: guitarist/vocalist leading worship and music Lay Leader: Carl Van Slyke July 9-Chosen Journeys Communion Lay Leader: Carol Card July 16-A House Divided Lay Leader: Lois Taylor Potluck July 23-Place of Blessing Lay Leader: Tom Eubanks July 30-Weaving the Future Lay Leader: Amelia McCown
Ushers for July: Frank Capshaw, Dan VanderVeen, Will Patterson July Celebrations
BIRTHDAYS: 1-Robin Canning; 9-Jerry Schwarzhoff; 11-Kathy Smith; 15-Janine Balfour; 16-Jennifer Makinson; 20-Carol Card; 22-Janice Aagaard; 24-Betty Ramsey & Sammy Musselman; 27-Liz Vorbeck; 31-John Wiskus ANNIVERSARIES: We know of no anniversaries in July! If you would like to be included in our birthday or anniversary list please give the office a call.
Greeters for July July 2-Ann Schnebly & Marilyn Williams; July 9-Natalie & Dick Thatcher; July 16-Suzanne & Pat Robb; July 23-Jack & Joan Wenske; July 30-Irlean Phillips & Robin Canning.
Pastor Kathy's July schedule: Pastor Kathy will be out of the office from July 20 thru 26
Robin will be on vacation beginning June 30 thru July 11. Thank you to Nancy Miller, Carol Rivers and Karyn Bennett for being in the office to cover the phones while she is away.
Welcome musician/singer Jack Brown
Jack will bring our Sunday morning message in music on Sunday, July 2 at 11:00 am. Welcome Jack!
Office closed on Tuesday, July 4 Wishing everyone a happy July 4 weekend. Be careful and drive safely.
Welcome New Members
On Sunday, June 4, 2017 8 new members were welcomed into the Wright Church Community! Jim & Teresa Staab Suszan Kats Dick & Natalie Thatcher Phil & Jill Reed Peggy Higgins
Book Club News
The Book Club meets on the first Thursday of each month at 1:00 pm in the church library, except in July. All are welcome to come, enjoy a cup of tea, a snack and an interesting discussion. July 6- Bring your favorite poetry. This gathering will be at the home of Ethel Farnsworth at 1:00 pm. August 3-"Say Nothing" by Brad Parks. The book that was selected is difficult to get from the library so another book was chosen.
Communion –Sunday, July 9 Thursday Evening Bible study Will not be held in July, stay tuned for upcoming information.
Children’s Sunday School has Started! All children are invited to Sunday School beginning at 10:15 am every Sunday. We will be starting a 12-Week series called An Illustrated Compassion: Learning to Love Like God's Children and adults will be coloring four posters during the summer and learning stories of compassion from the Old Testament and the New Testament. They will also learn what it looks like to live a compassionate life today. The children will also be learning songs to share in worship. If you are interested in helping in the Sunday School Room, please let Lois Taylor or Pastor Kathy know and we will put you in the rotation. No preparation is required but a loving heart for children is most essential.
Wright One's
Anyone who identifies as single is welcome to join in on the fun. Wednesday, July 12 at 6:30 pm we will have our annual summer barbeque at the home of Carl Van Slyke in Kuna. Bring your own meat to cook (barbecue provided) and a side dish to share. RSVP to Carl or Carol.
Lunch Bunch will meet Thursday, July 13 at 1:00 pm at Luciano's on Orchard. Everyone is welcome to come for great food, and fellowship. No program just friendships.
July Potluck
Sunday, July 16 following worship in the social hall is the monthly potluck. Please bring your favorite side dish to share. If you or your group would like to host a monthly potluck please contact Joan Wenske or put your name on the sign up list in the social hall. Set up and clean up is all that is needed.
Diaconate Meeting Will meet on Sunday, July 16 at 9:30AM in the upper room. There will be coffee. Please your calendars. We will be setting the schedule for August, September and October.
Board of Directors to Meet Wednesday, July 19 at 7:00 pm in the social hall. If you are a committee chair and are unable to attend please send a representative. Everyone is welcome.
Bench Supper for July
Thursday, July 20 at 6:00 pm. Helpers needed. Sign up sheet will be available for your helping hands
Bench Supper needs funds This is a wonderful loving hot meal we offer to folks from all over the valley. A hot meal, dessert and beverage. To put on the supper it costs between $100.00 to $150.00 per month depending on the menu, and we serve between 60 and 100 people. That's men, women and children. We would ask that if you are unable to come and help with the meal that you make a contribution. Please mark your checks "Bench Supper". Any and all contributions help. If you should have any questions please contact Janice Aagaard.
Articles for August Wright Ups
Due in the office on or before Thursday, July 20. Please and thank you.
Lot Comes to Life
The lot needs a name, any suggestions? Thanks for the thought but the Robb family does not want it named after them. How great it looks. A BIG THANK YOU to the Robb family for their financial donation to make this a reality and to Jack Wenske for his time, sweat and effort to bring it to life for all to enjoy
Crafty Characters
There is no gathering until September. But remember to work on your crafts for the Oct. 21 Bazaar. You can donate one or more items to the Church table or have a table to sell your own items. Plus starting this year we will be selling bakes goods. Any questions please contact Carol Rivers.
Website and e-mail address Please change your address books to the new e-mail address: church.office@wrightucc.org Web Site: Wrightucc.org
Food and Hygiene Pantry
Thank you to all for your generous donations to our food pantry. We do need help keeping the pantry stocked. A suggestion sheet is on the cupboard door. Please take one. Thanks again for your generosity. Our pantry gets almost emptied during our Bench Suppers.
We LOVE our volunteers....
And here is why...Since the first of the year (2017) 1266.0 volunteer hours have been donated and recorded on the volunteer sheets and we are sure there are many, many more not logged. WAY TO GO WRIGHT CHURCH. ***If you volunteer in any way to help the church please take a volunteer hour sheet located at the office window. Keep track of you monthly volunteering and turn it in at the end of the month. Thank you in advance for everything you do for Wright Church.
Women's Fellowship
Will not meet in July & August, but stay tuned for upcoming meetings beginning in September. If you have any ideas for a program for Women's Fellowship please contact Vice Pres. Janice Aagaard.
Men's Fellowship Will not be meeting in July.
Lawn Mowing Schedule Thank you to all who have signed up to mow the lawn! Before July 2—Dick Thatcher Before July 9-Mike Smith Before July 16-Chuck & Meredith Before July 23-Wes Andrews Before July 30-Chris Abend Before Aug. 6-Dick Thatcher
Coffee, Altar Flowers and Potluck Hosts
Please don't be shy. Supporters of Altar Flowers are needed. You can supply them yourself or give the church $20.00 and a member of the Diaconate will purchase them for you, you may take them home after worship. Contact the church office with any question. If you have any questions about being a coffee host please speak to Joan Wenske. Hosts are also needed for our Potlucks. It's easy. Set up and clean up is all that is needed. We encourage committee's to sign up. Coffee hour hosting is a great way to meet people as they come through the line for coffee.
New Wall hanging and Chairs Thank you to Joan Wenske for the donation of the beautiful picture in the stair way leading to the social hall and the blue chairs. We greatly appreciate your decorating talents.
Loving gifts have been given by: Nancy Grafton for Jo Elliott-Blakeslee; Suzanne Robb for Audrey Beckstead; Dale & Mary Ellen Parsons, Tom & Jane Eubanks for Nancy Hyder. Marilyn Williams for Cleone Markwell (Kathy's father)
Honorarium gifts have been given by: Dale & Mary Ellen Parsons for Kathy Abend.
Treasurer's Report General Fund Income General Fund Expenses Increase (Decrease)
May 2017 $15,796.25 8,266.20 $ 7,530.05
Special Fund Expenses Income Spent
$ 1,485.35 5,037.06
Ruby Oliason Fund used Total Change for month
625.00 -4,176.71
YTD 52,523.96 37,490.41 15,033.55
Budget 91,960.00 91,935.00 25.00
%YTD 57.12% 40.78%
4,776.18 11,924.07 ($4,083 of special fund expenses were the landscaping project) 3,125.00 -10,272.89
Please note a significant increase in the General Fund Income due to generous giving and increased attendance. If you would like a copy of the complete Treasurer's Report they are available in the office.
Pilgrim Cove Camp News
Women's Camp, August 8th-10th at Pilgrim Cove. Welcoming all ladies 18+. Ret. Rev. Diane Dulin is keynote speaker on Wednesday evening. The theme this year is "Experiencing Beauty". The cost is $60 per lady and covers 2 nights lodging and 5 meals. Registration and information forms are on the bulletin board downstairs. Registration deadline is July 25. Questions or concerns contact the camp at: http://www.pilgrimcovecamp.com 208-634-5555 We have a very full season ahead of us! Drop by for a visit. Blessed are we!
Check Out the New Storage Shed
Thanks to Dave and Debbie Turner and their friend Russell for building a new storage shed. It is located under the apricot tree just inside the garden fence. The lawn mowers, yard tools and barbecue will be stored there. Check out the sunflower doors – they are beautiful, thanks Debbie.
CBNA News (Central Bench Neighborhood Association)
Our Community Garden is growing wonderful veggies and flowers. A BIG thank you to Ivy Shay, the Community Garden coordinator. She can be reached at 406-396-4772 or shayivy13@gmail.com with questions or concerns. Weeding is always needed in the common areas. A group meets on Monday evenings to weed, water and enjoy, come on out and lend a hand.
Mahjong
Everyone is welcome to come play Mahjong at Ethel Farnsworth's home. July dates are Fridays, July 7 and 21. Please contact Ethel if you need more information.
New faces!
Are you wearing your name tag? – Don't have a name tag, no problem. Please fill out a pew card indicating you would like a name tag, or put your name on the yellow pad behind the greeters and bingo you will have a name tag for the next Sunday. They will appear in the name tag holder at the top of the steps.
Quote of the Day!
He, who loses money, loses much; He, who loses a friend, loses much more; He, who loses faith, loses all. Eleanor Roosevelt
Attention: It is still missing!
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of the portable Microphone, Stand and Amp that was in the social hall please contact the office or simply return it should you have borrowed it and forgot you had it! No questions asked! It just needs to find its way home because it is needed during meetings in the social hall. Please help us find the missing
Remember the "olden days"?
"If you dropped it, pick it up" – "If you got it out, put it away" – "If you opened it, close it" – "If you dirtied it, clean it" - "If you brought it, take it home" – "If it needs emptying, empty it" – " the janitor is not your mother". Please remember these great "olden rules". It is not the job of the church staff to pick up after you. Please do not leave left over foods in the refrigerators, it will get thrown out. If you brought it take them home. Thanks for the great job everyone is doing.
(Based on a true story) Excitement is building for LET IT SHINE - Bringing Sight and Sound to Wright Church. LET IT SHINE follows Wright Church as they bring multimedia technology into their worship experience. Director Pam McDonald and Executive Producer Lois Taylor met with a band of merry characters for their first planning session on June 29. The cast and crew envision many creative ways in which to raise funds for a new audio/visual system for the sanctuary. There will be something for everyone!
Wright Walk of Stars: August 1 - end of campaign SING: A tribute to Ron Apperson and night of music - TBD Wright Night at the Movies Fundraising Dinner and Dessert Auction Gala: Saturday, August 19 @ 6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to come as their favorite actor/actress or movie character. CITY SLICKERS Dutch Oven Dinner: TBD LET IT SHINE Red Carpet Premiere: TBA (after the system is installed) See you at the movies!
July 2017 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
11-Music Worship with Jack Brown
Office Closed
12-Fellowship/ Coffee
7-Alanon
5
6
7
8
1-Book Club @ Ethel's
1-Mahjong
13
14
15
21
22
Robin's Vacation
9
10
11
11-WorshipCommunion 12-Fellowship/ Coffee
16
12 Robin back in the office
1-Lunch Bunch @ Luciano's
17
7-Alanon
6-Huntington 6:30 Wright Ones @ Carl's
18
19
20
9:30 Diaconate
1-Mahjong
11-Worship 12-POTLUCK
23 11- Worship 12-Fellowship/ coffee
24
7-Alanon
7-Board of Directors
6:00 Bench Community Supper
25
26
27
Pastor Kathy is out of the office this week 7-Alanon
30 11- Worship 12-Fellowship/ coffee
31
28
29
The Wright Ups Wright Community Congregational Church United Church of Christ 4821 Franklin Rd Boise, Idaho 83705 Return Service Requested July, 2017 Vol. 2017 Issue 7
Phone: 208.343.0292 e-mail: church.office@wrightucc.org web: www.wrightucc.org Ministers: All Of Us Pastor: Rev. Kathy Abend Office Admin: Robin Canning Board Chair: Chuck Pond Organist: Ann Burkholder Pianist and Worship Design: Whitney Kats Moderator: Carl Van Slyke
We are joyfully an Open and Affirming Church 11:00 Worship Noon: Fellowship Communion: 1st Sunday of each month Sunday School for Children at 10:15 Nursery Available