The Sojourner
April 2016
Volume 9
Issue 4
Monthly Publication of St. Stephens-Bethlehem UCC
Every morning, between the time I hop out of bed and the time I get dressed, I open my email and read the United Church of
Christ’s daily devotional. It comes to me via email and it is part of the “God is Still Speaking” writers series. I find this to be a
great way to start the day and it puts a lot of things into perspective for me. If you’d like this delivered to your email every
morning just go to www.UCC.org/stillspeaking_devotional. If you aren’t computer savvy, not to worry, you can purchase a copy
of the still speaking devotional from the UCC’s bookstore, let me know, I can add one to my order next time I place a UCC
bookstore order.
I mention reading the daily devotional because this past week their Vince Amlin, a Still Speaking writer, was reflecting on a portion of Numbers. "The people quarreled with Moses and said, 'Would that we had died when our kindred died . . . Why have
you brought us up out of Egypt, to bring us to this wretched place?'" - Numbers 20:3, 5a. This particular portion is where the
Israelites are complaining about God rescuing them from Egypt and then getting them lost in the desert.
The new Israelite nation has a few collective freak outs. It's understandable; water is important. But it's deeper than water. It's
the idea that an unseen God cares about them, has called them to a new life, is guiding them toward freedom and a future. At
some point they have to ask, "Why did we ever believe this was possible?"
There is change in our midst. It is all around us. While I have promised that I am not going to change things for six months, there
is still change happening. One of the beauties of the leadership model that we have moved to is that Ministry Team Leaders are
fully responsible and accountable for the direction of their ministry team, as long as it’s within the mission of the church. The
Leadership Team took the training wheels off of the ministry teams, they are now fully empowered to make decisions and lead
their teams.
In that movement of the Leadership Team, stepping back and giving Team Leaders the green light to begin to move their teams
forward, you will begin to notice changes. You will notice that the Outreach Team has formed a new justice team, Justice
League. They have also chosen to begin to service the community that we live in with our clothes and food donations.
You will notice that Christian Education has now become two different entities, ACE (Adult Christian Education) and #Journey
which is our Youth program.
You will notice that there is a new Congregational Care team, that took the place of the old visitation team.
Currently, I have been asking the Leadership team to begin to help the congregation define what it’s mission field is, or more
succinctly what is God calling us to do in the world? These are the changes that I am happy to make right now. These are
changes that increase conversation; these are changes that help the congregation get to know its members better; these are
important conversations in order to help us move forward.
Just like the Israelites, sometimes we have collective freak-outs. Sometimes we curse God because things didn’t go exactly as
we planned, or didn’t plan. The next thing to do is to get up off the ground, put your indignation away and then askGod, “What’s Next?” Where are you leading us, that you will always provide for us?
Yours in Christ,
Sara
DUNKIRK CAMP REGISTRATION
Spring is in the air and summer is right around the corner! Time to register for
camp! Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center is a fun, safe, and beautiful
treasure just 45 minutes from home. Go online to: Dunkirkcc.com or call 716366-1900 to learn more and to register for one of the many camps offered this
summer. Once you register, please notify Jen Seth or Carrie Reed - our church will help offset some of the cost of
your registration and you will be eligible for a camp scholarship!
Moderator’s Minute
Change!
Change?
Why does change scare so many of us? Yet, in other aspects of our world and lives it
can also be sought out!
The 2008 elections had a common theme-CHANGE! If my memory is correct that
theme crossed party lines. It was also at virtually every level of government from national to local school boards.
But alas, "not in my church!" rings loud and clear. We love the good old days. Hundreds of children in church school, and overflowing pews are the fond memories of
many. Why can't it be like that today? What are we going to do to bring kids back?
Well friends, the answer to both questions is - CHANGE!
It isn't the 1950s or 60s any more. Both parents usually work now. Many households are
single parent families. There is baseball, dance, soccer, gymnastics, football or hockey
practices, meets, recitals and games to get to. Weekends might alternate between the
parent’s homes. And of course, and this applies to many folks I know, when the heck do
we sleep in or simply unwind?
And for getting the kids back, we need to be relevant! Those of us who attend regularly
are comfortable and fulfilling the wants and needs we bring with us. But for those folks
who aren't attending, it is my opinion that we haven't offered them the wants and needs
that THEY bring. This is true for the 30—somethings as well!
The hard part about change in our church is that is not about us. It's about those folks
outside of our doors. The ones that haven't found a reason to check us out yet.
There are some new ideas and initiatives coming out of various ministry teams. They are
charged with bringing these items forward to you and explaining them. I feel these are
wonderful things, and am thrilled to learn more.
And that is what it's all about! New ways for us to do Good Works and reach new folks!
By doing so, the possibilities are limitless! Because God is still speaking!
I am very pleased to welcome Julia Harvey to the Leadership Team. She has been a very
hard working asset to SSB for many years. I am confident that she will be a vibrant and
positive influence in our efforts to grow into our future!
Shalom,
Brett Hammond
13th Annual
Church
Flea Market
Saturday,
April 23rd,
2016
9am – 3pm
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or an
idea please feel free to contact the ministry team leaders
directly. If you don’t know who you should contact, then
contact one of the Leadership Team Liaisons, the moderator (Brett Hammond—[email protected])
or the vice moderator (Neil [email protected]).
Leadership Team Liaison—Roger Firestien ([email protected])
Fellowship—
Bill Chapman
Records & Data
Julia Harvey
Fundraising—Bill Chapman ([email protected])
[email protected]
Invitation Team—Coming Soon
Pastoral Relations—[email protected]
Congregational Care—Cheryl Thomas
Personnel—Diana Anderson ([email protected])
Finance—George Anderson ([email protected])
Rob Seth ([email protected])
Buildings and Grounds—Karen Heckel ([email protected]
Leadership Team Liaison—Karen Tomasello ([email protected])
Hospitality—Carolyn Bernhart ([email protected])
Pam Rost ([email protected])
Rose Metzger ([email protected])
Outreach—Cheryl Thomas ([email protected])
ACE (Adult)
Leadership Team Liaison —Kris Kasbohm ([email protected])
Christian Education
#Journey (Youth & Young Adults)
Jen Seth & Carrie Reed
Justice League—Corey Kruss
Leadership Team Liaison—Julia Harvey ([email protected])
Worship—Margret Tricoli ([email protected])
Bible Study: Joshua – I Samuel
Every Sunday morning, April 3 – May 8,
our Bible Study meets in the Fellowship
Hall at 8:30am for spirited discussions.
The Bible passages involve excitement,
This year, WINGS (Women in God’s Service) will
again help us honor the important women in our
lives by supporting
Church World Service
in their drive to help meet emergency
needs and support long-term recovery and
preparedness in the U.S. and around the world..
On April 24th, May 1st & May 8th
donations of $5
will be taken during Coffee Hour after worship.
GIVE THE GIFT OF HOPE.
fear, jealousy, love, hate, etc. Jericho is
defeated; Rahab hides spies; Deborah wins
a battle; Saul tries to kill David... We
welcome everyone whether you know anything about the Bible or not. Would love
to have you join us.
OUTREACH & INVITATION FOOD PROGRAM
For many years, we have been supporting the food Pantries of Black Rock and Lovejoy both financially and with
food collected from our food drives. The O&I Team would like to begin helping the hungry here in our community by offering them Food Bags. This April, we will be having our food drive, but instead of sending the food to
the Lovejoy Food Pantry, we would like to keep the food collected to put into the food bags. We will be offering
food bags for one person or a family of four. Each bag will contain enough food for three meals; breakfast, lunch
and dinner. The following are suggested items we could use for the food bags:
Evaporated Milk
Spaghetti/Pasta
Macaroni & Cheese
Spaghetti Os
Applesauce
Bisquick
Chili
Tuna Fish
Canned Vegetables
Pasta Sauce
Cereal
Peanut Butter
Rice
Jello
Canned Beans
Soup
Oatmeal
Jelly
Stuffing Mix
Instant Potatoes
Juice Boxes
Any other non-perishable food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner is accepted and
appreciated.
We will continue to support the food pantries with financial contributions.
Thank you for your continuing support.
THE OUTREACH & INVITATION TEAM OUTLOOK
The, OUTREACH & INVITATION MINISTRY TEAM, recently updated its Mission Statement focusing on serving the local community around the church. Following is the revised statement:
Jesus teaches, in Matt. 25:31-40, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, satisfy the thirsty, invite the stranger in, care for the
sick, and visit the prisoner. The SSBUCC, Outreach & Invitation Team’s mission is to articulate this teaching by:
Financial support of an array of social agencies.
Providing emergency food bags for the hungry.
Opening the clothes closet for the local neighborhood.
Caring for the sick with prayer, and by providing an errand service for the sick and shut in.
Ministering to prisoners through correspondence with letters.
Inviting those who are searching, into the body of Christ at SSBUCC.
We will carry out this mission by the Grace of God and the example of Jesus.
“LEAD US LORD, AND WE WILL FOLLOW”
If you have an inclination toward any of these goals, we would love to have you join us.
Matt. 25:37-40 “The righteous will then answer him, ‘When Lord did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and
give you a drink? When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you? When did
we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine you did it unto me”
Peace be with you.
The OUTREACH & INVITATION MINISTRY TEAM: Sandra Berger, Grace Buechle, Sheryl Harvey, Kristine Kasbohm L.T.
Laison, Nancy Kelly, Ruth Reese, Suzanne Switzer, Cheryl Thomas-Team Leader.
The National Youth Event is being held July 26-30 in
Orlando and we are excited to send a group of youth along
with a few adult chaperones to this conference being held in
Walt Disney World. If you are interested in attending please
contact:
Carrie Reed([email protected]) or Jen Seth
([email protected])
SSBUCC CLOTHES CLOSET OPENS TO NEIGHBORHOOD
The initial opening of the SSBUCC CLOTHES CLOSET will be Friday, April 15, 2016, from 3-6 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a time for church members to peruse the many articles of clothing from children’s
through adult, and select items for personal use or for someone you may know who might be in need. On Saturday, April
16, from 1-3pm, it will be open to the public. The Outreach &
Invitation Team will continue this offering on a monthly basis.
In the meantime your donations of gently used clothing would
be appreciated. Clothing may be dropped off at the church by
the half barrel where food is collected. The church office is
open from 9-1, Mon.-Thurs. Thank you for your support.
Your Outreach & Invitation Team
Youth Group meets 2nd &
4th Sundays.
On Sunday March 13th, the
Youth Group went to Perplexity. Perplexity is the locally owned and operated
escape room in Williamsville.
The youth had a BLAST!
They were able to experience two different rooms.
One group escaped but the
other did not. A great time
was had by all. One of our
adult volunteers commented
that the kids were so nice
and polite to each other.
They didn’t put anyone
down, they were all helpful.
Sometimes we don’t even
need to talk about Christ for
him to be in our presences,
that was seen in our March
outing.
In April we are planning a
LOCK IN. We are inviting
area youth to this event.
Hopefully a good time with
a bunch of other churches
can be had.
Adult Christian Education
New Members and Member recommitment Retreat
Are you interested in becoming a new member of St Stephens-
Bethlehem? Are you interested in recommitting your membership?
We are having a membership retreat Sunday May 22, 12:30-8pm. Please
see Pastor Sara ([email protected]) or Rose Metzger
([email protected]) if youwish to attend. The cost is $12 to cover
Lunch and Dinner expenses.
#Journey Trip to the National
Youth Event in Walt Disney World
A big THANK YOU to everyone who
purchased SSBUCC Youth Stock Certificates to support our trip to Orlando this
July! Our youth represent our future, so
we all have a vested interest in helping
to nurture their faith formation. These
are upcoming events planned to continue to offset the cost of this once-in-alifetime trip.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
& BASKET RAFFLE
Skip Denny’s and Tim Hortons!
Join us before or after church for a delicious
breakfast to benefit our youth trip. You could
even win a basket or gift card too!
“PAINT THE TOWN” WITH SSBUCC
Join us on Thursday April 14th at 6:30 pm for a fun-filled night of
painting right here at SSBUCC! Create your own original piece of art-
May 1st from 8am – 1pm
Breakfast Cost: $8 for adults / $4 for children
under 12
Breakfast includes: pancakes, scrambled eggs,
sausage, hash browns, danish pastry, coffee, tea,
work for $40 – this includes instruction, painting supplies as well as
refreshments!
Register and pay online at: paintthetown716.com on their Event Calendar tab. Bring a friend or two – you’ll have a great time and you
will be amazed by what you can do!
Pastoral Relations Team
Supporting Our Pastor…..
Tips from the Pastoral Relations Team
Have you said to yourself or to your friend, “We always celebrate Easter this way” or “The
newsletter looks different than usual” or “The Sunday worship service is too long”? Well,
friends, change is inevitable. It may be because we have a new pastor, or because of changes in our membership, or because we need to look at things in a new way if we want our
church to survive in the 21st century.
To be honest, change is not always easy. Quite frankly, the only person who really likes
change is a baby with a poopy diaper! ;-) With that in mind, our PRT respectfully asks you
to be open to change. Keep in mind that things are not the church, the building is not the
church. The church is a living, breathing, changing entity made up of human beings. If you
have an issue with someone, please talk directly to the person involved.
Remember, our goal is to ensure an open and healthy relationship between our pastor
and you, the members of our congregation. Please feel free to talk to any member of our
team if you are not comfortable talking directly to the person involved. That is what we are
here for.
Marta Herzbrun
Neil Kratzer
Rose Metzger
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
597-9832
572-3197
691-6025
DUNKIRK CAMP REGISTRATION
Spring is in the air and summer is right around the corner! Time to register for camp! Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center is a fun, safe, and beautiful treasure just 45 minutes from home. Go online to: Dunkirkcc.com or
call 716-366-1900 to learn more and to register for one of the many camps offered this summer. Once you register, please notify Jen Seth or Carrie Reed - our church will help offset some of the cost of your registration and
you will be eligible for a camp scholarship!
Our 13th Annual Church’s Flea Market
Please help us out by:
When you are doing your spring cleaning, and find items you no longer want or need, please donate these items to the church’s
Flea table. You can bring in these items and drop them off downstairs, underneath the coat rack outside the beige room.
We are in need of bake goods for our bake good sale at the Flea Market. You can drop off your bake goods on Friday, April 22nd
from 6pm – 9pm, or during the Flea Market early on Saturday morning. If you can help us out, please sign up on the sign-up sheet
downstairs by the elevator, so we can count on your support.
We are also in need of volunteers to help us out at the Flea Market. We have sign up sheets posted across from the elevator downstairs for duties like (Kitchen Help, Bake Good Table, Flea Table, Clean Up Help) and time shifts of (8am– 10am, 10 – 12pm, 12- 2
pm, and 2 – 4pm).
If you are interested in renting a table for $20 at the Flea Market, or know someone who would be interested, please call 632-4226
or 684-8731. We have 34 tables rented as of March 13th. We can only fit 60 tables inside our church.
Thanks for your continuous support and dedication to this event and to our church. All proceeds raised will be given to the Mission
fund. If you have any questions, or can help out please see or call Bill Chapman (684-8731).
Activities Central
I would like to thank everyone who helped out and who attended our Palm Sunday Celebration, on Sunday, March
20. It was a great time as we started Holy Week as a church family. The kids had a great time during the Easter
Egg Hunt. Thanks to everyone who donated hard boiled eggs and desserts to this event. It was really appreciated.
Thanks for all the volunteers who helped to visit our church’s shut-ins on Good Friday, March 25th. The shut-ins
were also treated to a fish fry dinner, that day. Thanks for sharing your love and care to our members of our great
church. We started a new tradition at SSBUCC on Good Friday, with doing this.
On Sunday, April 3rd, we are in need of volunteers to donate baked goods for the Mission Fund’s coffee hour.
Please sign up on the bulletin board downstairs by the elevator or call me at 684-8731 if you can help us out.
Thanks so much.
Are you a person who purchases gift cards for your family and friends for the holidays and for special occasions? If
so, please consider purchasing your gift cards from our church. Please find enclosed in this newsletter an order
form to place an order for gift cards. The church makes the percentage listed on the order form of each card sold.
You can give this order form with your check or cash (A long with your additional $1.00 for each order foam, for
postage and processing to either Jen Seth, Cheryl Thomas, Marge Beers or Bill Chapman. You can also mail in
We ask that
all orders be placed by the first Sunday of each month so you can receive the gift cards by the third or fourth Sunday of the month. So
please plan ahead!!! For example: (In April, orders are due on Sunday
April 3rd, so you can receive them by April 24th.) If you take mom out for
these order forms to the church office or place them in Bill Chapman’s mailbox in the church office.)
dinner on Mother’s day, or buy her special gifts, this is the time to place the order for these. Jen
Seth has volunteered to run and organize this ongoing fundraiser for our church. If you have any
questions please call or email her. (901- 1322 [email protected])
Our Spring and Mother's Day Sale to help with our Mission
Fund, is now in progress. There are flower arrangements, chocolate rose
suckers, candles and much more. This sale table is set up outside the church parlor.
Thanks to Audrey Seaman and all her volunteers for organizing this for our church.
Back by popular demand!!! Last year was our first time doing this for Mother’s Day and Father’s day, and we had
great emotional responses, that we decided to make this a new tradition. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8th. Help us
honor or remember the Special Mother’s/ Women in our lives. Before worship (9:30 – 10am) on Sunday, May
8th we will be showing pictures of the special women in our lives; either past or present, on the BIG SCREEN in the
sanctuary. Beginning on Sunday, April 3rd – Sunday, April 24th, please bring in pictures of all the special women in your life. We ask that you put your pictures in an envelope with your name and the names of all the
special ladies in your life on it. If you are computer savvy you can email them to me.
([email protected]) Pictures will be returned to you on Mother’s Day, May 8th. They can be given to Bill
Chapman, or put in his mail box in the church office. We will scan these pictures in a power point musical slide
show; to show our love and appreciation to all the ladies that made our lives so special. Make this a special day for
your Mother and family.
Joy in Christ,
Bill Chapman
Fellowship & Fundraising Ministry Coordinator
21st Century Fund
Jack Fogelsonger
Furnace Fund:
Our furnace has been
installed and the project
completed.
Kathy Caramazza
In Memory Of:
John Eichner
David Park
Mary Lou Friedman
Charles Strascina
Max & Marion
Buettner
Elmer Nichols
Bob Kurz
Family & Friends
Lorraine Fleming
John Eichner
David Paok
William Arthur Walters
Frank Calvarese Sr
Edgar Porter
Doris Kloss
Many Thanks to Ron
Wagner and the Entire
Buildings and Grounds
Team for the success of
this project.
In Honor Of:
Jan Kurz
Bill Chapman &
Family
For Blessings
Received:
Naomi Rukland
Patricia Depotty
The Cookfairs
Ken Kurz
Any further funds
donated to this project
will be listed under the
21st Century fund.
On Sunday, June 5th, 2016, the fundraising team will be sponsoring our next BIG fundraiser, which will be a
Theme Basket and Gift Card Auction.
It will begin at 11am and raffles will begin at 12:30pm. Lunch will be available to purchase.
(Hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza, soup, beverages and chips). Now this is where your help is
needed. We need donations of theme baskets, and gift cards. If you need a donation letter to ask a business or a friend for
a donation, please let Bill Chapman know. All proceeds will benefit our Mission Fund. Remember the Mission Fund benefits
all of us at church. It is a fund started up last September to help out with financial obligations of our church.
750 Wehrle Dr, Buffalo, NY 14226
716/632-4226
(RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED)
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Buffalo, NY
Permit No. 419
St. Stephens-Bethlehem United Church of Christ is a progressing
Christian church that practices God’s unconditional welcome.
We celebrate faith that is discovered personally and shared generously through love and service.
Worship Services
Contact Us
Sundays @ 10:00 am
Sara E. Campbell, Pastor
716/263-0991 or
[email protected]
INTERESTED IN RECEIVING YOUR NEWSLETTER ON-LINE?
Dawn Kloss, Music Director
The Sojourner is now available through our website!
www.ssbucc.com
or we can email it directly to you!
This is not only more convenient for some of our members, but also
helps us live “green” by saving paper AND money. Everyone wins! If
this is an option for you, please let us know! Call the office,
632-4226 or email us at
[email protected]
[email protected]
Debbie Marando,
Office Administrator
716/632-4226
[email protected]
Brett Hammond,
Moderator
[email protected]
Office Hours 9-1 Monday—Friday
Visit us on the web:
www.SSBUCC.com