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JOYOUS ECHOES NOW AVAILABLE
Joyous Echoes is a compilation of Marge Lietz’s columns in The Beacon from 1984 to 1999. Marge began writing the column to record happy events within the church community. She reported births, anniversaries, and programs and gave her own slant on the weather, nature’s creatures and church history. Joyous Echoes is now available for sale at the church office at a cost of $15.00. All proceeds will be deposited in The Beacon fund to help defray the increasing postage cost of mailing The Beacon.
INTRODUCING THE INTERIM MINISTER A graduate of The Defiance College (B.A.), the Chicago Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), and the Oberlin College (Master of Arts) Rev. Leah Matthews has served the church for 36 years. Following 20 years of serving local churches, (2 churches 10 years each), Rev. Matthews was called to serve as the Interim Associate Association Minister of the Western Reserve Association. Following that time, she served two interims in local churches before being called to serve on the Board of Homeland Ministries at the National office of the United Church of Christ. After the restructure in 2000, she was called to serve as Minister of Parish Life on the Parish Life and Leadership Team. Rev. Matthews has written and led Bible Studies all over the country. She has written worship resources for The Whole People of God curriculum, edited a series of Practices of Faith pamphlets, staffed the Scripture Project of the United Church of Christ, led workshops and retreats around the country. During a Sabbatical time, Rev. Matthews took the training and was certified as an Interim Minister. She has served in several interim settings, just completing almost 3 years in a 900 member church near Cleveland. Rev. Matthews has two grown children, Eric (a percussionist with rock bands) and Kristin (an account representative with National City Bank). She has two grandchildren.
WELCOME REV. MATTHEWS Rev. Leah Matthews will begin her interim position here at St. Paul on October 1, 2007. Those of us who have had the opportunity to meet her prior to October 1 are encouraged by her enthusiasm and willingness to serve here in New Bremen during this transition period. Until the parsonage is ready to be moved into, she will be staying in a cottage at Lake Loramie. As with other staff, she will be able to be reached through the church office or at 419-628-3076 while she is living at the lake.
We welcome Rev. Matthews to St. Paul and the community. We look forward to working with her as she shares her skills and ideas with us.
(OCWM) Our Church’s Wider Mission It’s who we are
Portions of the 53% of monies received for OCWM is used in the Northwest Ohio Association for the salaries of our Association Minister, The Rev. Daniel Busch, and for the Office Manager, Joan Davidson. They are helping in many ways by giving the Search Committee direction on how to seek a new pastor for St. Paul church.
El Salvador and SARA Our church has become involved personally in the mission of helping the poor in El Salvador over the past four years. Since 2004 we have had members of St. Paul travel to this very poor country at five different times. SARA, Sharing America’s Resources Abroad, the mission project of the Ohio Conference, is our link to this important way that we can help make the world a little better place in which to live. SARA promised to pay the salaries of two doctors working in the remote areas. The need for monies to support them is great. They make $400 a month and care for those in need three days a week In celebration of St. Paul’s 175th year since it was formed, there is planned a picnic. The Mission Team has accepted the responsibility to plan and prepare the menu for that event. It is with joy that the planning committee of the picnic has stated that the monies donated for the meal will be given to support the two doctors. It is hoped that all of those who have traveled to El Salvador and witnessed first hand the help that is given will participate in the planning, preparing and serving of the meal. All others, if you are interested, your help is also needed. A Mission Team meeting is planned for Thursday, March 13th in the assembly room at 7:30 p.m. Hope to see all of you there
THE BUSY TWELVE The Busy Twelve will meet for lunch at Sunnyside Restaurant, Celina, on July 1st at 11:30am. After lunch we will go to LaRue Dickie’s home for our meeting.
The Busy Twelve will meet for lunch at 11:30 on August 5th at the Pizza Hut in New Bremen. We will hold our meeting after lunch at the home of Helen Wissman.
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