Cross alk

July / August 2019

This is my story, this is my song – praising my Savior all the day long.

Blessed Assurance, by Fanny Jane Crosby

As summer makes it halfway turn, families begin to look towards the new school year. Leaders in ministry do the same, as we begin to plan and prepare for new opportunities to teach about Jesus and lead people further into discipleship – connection points to develop a living relationship with God the Father, Son, and Spirit. As one nook of God’s larger church, our stories are part of the bedrock of the greater foundation of God’s salvific work. This year, we will take time to share our stories and learn others’ stories in order to witness how they are piling up, noting where God is found. In other words, we will be creating what we would call an Ebeneezer.

In Hebrew, it is eben-ezer – literally raised stones. It was a tradition with the very first church fathers to raise a pile of stones to mark where they encountered God and God’s good works. July 21, we will begin our year of story sharing, which will then connect to VBS, where students will be creating painted rocks – “God rocks” – to place around the community where they see God. This will continue into the fall where all will have the chance to participate in this as well.

I invite you to reflect – over the course of your lifetime, what is your story, connected to the ever living and present God? Where do you see God moving around you? What stories do you think are to come? I personally invite you to come and be part of the Greensburg UMC church family – to come and worship each Sunday this month. Our youth will lead in worship July 14. We will celebrate Advent on July 21 – yes with music and everything. We will be gearing up for Vacation Bible School and hear the ROAR of our kids. Come and see what God is doing. You won’t want to miss out.

Rev. Katie

LOOKING FORWARD!

Community Gatherings at GUMC | July 17 and August 6 | 6:00pm-8:00pm In conjunction with the vision of Greensburg UMC—to love, engage, and serve our neighbors

What should we do to assure that everyone lives a happy, fulfilled life? Are you concerned about jobs with good pay? The role artificial intelligence will play in the workforce or self-driving trucks? About college debt? The quality of water? Record temperatures? GUMC will host community conversations asking people to prioritize and identify solutions that Green’s people, government and institutions can address. The organizer and facilitator is Doug Oplinger’s media collaborative, called Your Voice Ohio, which is attempting to better represent Ohioans in their journalism. Email Doug at doplinger@yourvoiceohio.org that you plan to attend or are able to assist with hospitality. Or search Google for “What’s your future, Green?” and signup online.

Sunday, August 11 | Adult Leaders for Children/Youth Training | 12:30-2:00pm THIS IS MORE THAN SAFE SANCTUARY

Rev. Janet Zimmerman will lead the children's ministry section. Rev. Katie Osier will lead the youth ministry section. We will have time together, then split to our own areas to grow in our practical and theological approach to the ministries. If you are curious, you are welcome to come. If you are assisting with the children and youth ministries , it would be helpful for you attend. Lunch provided.

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Summer Giving: Going to be gone a lot this summer? You can ensure that you still give your financial gift to God regularly by enrolling in our secure online giving program through Vanco. Contact bookkeeper Margo Holmes with questions. You can sign yourself up directly at http://greensburgumc.net/church%20giving.aspx .

UMW Salad Supper | July 15 | 6:30pm

Everyone in the church is invited to the UMW Salad Supper to come share in what is becoming a tradition at GUMC -- and this is not just for the ladies. We’re asking each person or each family unit to bring an appetizer, salad or dessert. Afterwards we’ll be entertained and educated by two volunteers from the Hower House in Akron, who will give us a glimpse of what life was like in the late 1800’s for a prominent Akron family. So sign up on the clip boards being circulated and join us for a pleasant evening.

Caring Card Ministry Each week, four to five of our home bound congregants will be listed in the bulletin. Everyone of all ages is encouraged to write a quick note or send a picture to them so we might provide ongoing love and care. Cards and mailing labels will be right outside the worship spaces each week. Addresses can also be acquired through the directory or calling the church office.

Summer Photo Challenge Take a step out your door and snap a photo around town or participate in Love, Engage, Serve opportunities– Freedom Fest, VBS, Family Movie Nights. Take photos of places you find interesting – where God might call us to in order to love, engage, and serve. Find the margins. The first week of August, we will collect these photos in a couple different ways to create a photo

montage to remind us the places where God has called and is calling us to love, engage, and serve. If you want to send them ahead of time, send them to rev.katie.osier@gmail.com.

Summer Music With the Choir and Bells off on summer break, we are looking for special music at the 11:00am service. So if you sing, either by yourself or with a group, or play a musical instrument, we would love to have you share your talent with our congregation. If you would be interested in providing special music for a Sunday or two in the summer, see Brian Lawson or Betty Gross.

Green Sibshops Celebrates Birthday #3! AND…we had a party!! On Saturday, June 8, our Green Sibshop children’s group and teen group combined to celebrate three years of existence! The weather was great, so we spent part of it outdoors doing stuff that was a little messy for indoors – like giant bubble blowing, playing with water balloons in various creative ways, corn hole competition, and a little game of catch with raw eggs…all that FUN stuff! And the really good news is that our total enrollment is now 16, so we have grown -- slowly but surely – over that three years. What a good time we continue to have with these wonderful kids. We feel so blessed to have the support of our church and to be able to have our events in such a perfect place for kids to have fun. We feel Christ in our midst for sure when we’re with them once a month. Thank you GUMC!

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Thank You, Lynne Wisard Lynne has accepted a new position in Atlanta, GA, which is closer to her family. We give thanks for all Lynne has done in these past years serving as Greensburg UMC’s administrative position. Keep her in your prayers during this transition.

Administrative Position Opening Greensburg UMC is seeking a part time Administrative Assistant to manage the office, assist with staff needs, and serve as the“first face” of the church. We are looking for an individual who is efficient and comfortable being a member of a team. The ability to multi-task, while maintaining complex schedules and managing administrative support, is essential in this position. The ideal candidate for this job is resourceful, a good problem solver and organized. Resume and references are due to jobs@greensburgumc.net by August 1.

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Anniversaries!

Birthdays

Church Financial Comparison - June 2019

Giving General Actual Expenses Budgeted Expenses

May 2019 $ 20,689.05 $ 22,153.88 $ 25,955.27

Building Note Loan Giving Monthly Payment Loan Balance

May 2019 $ 1,816.00 $ 2,624.10 $149,638.87

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June 18 Brian Lawson June 19 Linda Stokes Mark Rossiter June 21 Brian Dvorak June 22 Chris O’Brien June 23 Ken Smesko June 29 Nancy Pennington June 30 Brian Cormany

June 1 Kevin Brenneman June 2 Stephanie Snyder June 8 Kate Lehman June 10 Jennifer Nastoff June 12 Craig Chaffinch June 16 Dale Bittner Paige Rossiter Michael Vinciguerra June 18 Logan Vinciguerra

June 7 Jim and Tracey Campbell June 10 Mark & Andrea Rossiter June 14 Bill and Becky Dando June 15 Josh and Lyndsay Dimengo June 19 Ed and Janice Hackathorn June 24 Dick and Carol Lynn Stratton June 27 Dale and Pauline Bittner June 29 Dan and Dara Terwilliger

July 3 Bill and Karen Spurrier July 9 Matt and Madison Lawson July 12 Rev. Katie and Eric Osier

July 1 Shirley Billups July 6 Carson Corle July 7 Josh Lehman July 9 Theron Cowgar July 10 Judy Martin Sharon Schwertfeger July 12 Evna Selbee July 13 James Pennington July 14 George Cormany

July 16 Dale Bittner July 18 Blaine Harp July 21 Lindsay Dieffenbaugher Tracey Campbell July 23 Robert Hodges Scott Rossiter Carolyn Chaffinch July 29 Caleb Smesko

August 2 Vince Lehman August 3 Curtis Corle Jim Schweikert August 4 Ed Hackathorn August 5 Betty Gross August 6 Ann Hartong August 7 Joanne Rossiter August 8 Bonnie Kocsis August 10 Joe Conley Mike Hodges August 12 Diana Langenfeld August 14 Ben Lawson August 15 Carol Baab

August 5 Mike and Karen Hodges August 7 Doug and Diane Oplinger August 16 Clarence and Carol Moore

August 16 Brad Laterza August 20 Chase Borland August 21 Chuck Borland August 24 Elaina Waseman William Fosnight August 25 Carly Rossiter August 26 Josefina Hetson Pauline Bittner August 27 Janice Conley August 29 Aline Yarborough August 30 Bill Dando August 31 Maela Harp

July 16 John and Colleen Flanders July 18 George and Dorothy Cormany July 25 Scott and Kristina Rossiter

August 27 Mark and Kathy Jones August 29 Ken and Cara Smesko

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Youth Thanks to the students who attended Youth Annual Conference

(Lillie, Ryan, Andrew, Thomas, and Stephanie)! It was a blast and memorable.

Hope others can join us next year at the YOUTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE at Lakeside, OH JUNE 13-14, 2020.

Summer is moving quickly, and all of you have been busy catching rays and getting ready for fall. So let’s try to get together.

Thursday, July 18 | Green Family Fun Zone (located by the church) | 4:00pm-6:00pm Signup at signupgenius.com

Free for the first 10 to sign up. $15 for each person from 11 on. 2 Go-Kart Races, 1 Round of Mini Golf and Ice Cream to top it off.

Friday, August 2 | 8:30pm–10:00pm (after VBS) | Greensburg UMC Volleyball and 9 Square and Fun! Hope to see you there!

Sunday, August 25 | Parent/Youth Meeting and Kickoff | 12:30pm-4:30pm Lunch provided. We will have a kickoff parent/youth meeting at 12:30pm, following which we will be doing a wild Road Rally/Scavenger Photo hunt piece with our youth starting at 2:00pm. Drivers are needed for this event.

To keep updated with the latest, please sign up for REMIND. Text @gumcym to 81010 to connect directly with the Greensburg Youth Ministry.

The Prayers and Sympathies of the church are extended to the family and friends of:

Roger Herbst on the passing of Mary Curry on May 24

Jack Fuerst on the passing of Evalynne Ward on June 1

Jennifer Douglas on the passing of Bill Douglas on June 3

Dalton Shipe on his passing on June 7

Amy Dvorak’s grandmother, Helen Weyrick on her passing on June 7

The Millers and Dale Palmer on the passing of Ann Miller on June 14

Ellen Campbell on her passing on July 5

U nfortunately, our church has had its share of loss these past few months, but the family of this church has not surprised me with its outrageous support!! The outpouring of love and food was

wonderful. Thank you to everyone who brought food and helped with the set up and clean up! It takes a lot to put on a funeral dinner or reception, but it is made easier by all the people who step up and help! I want everyone to know how much I appreciate all of your help ! It is so nice to have a Church Family you can count on! Thanks! Nancy Claytor

T hank you so very much for the cards, calls and visits after my recent surgery. Our church family is very important to me and am always grateful for the caring and love shown at trying times in our lives.

Love, Eileen Cowgar

Noisy Bucket Sunday! The 2nd Sunday of each month is Noisy Bucket Sunday! We invite you to contribute your change to our education ministries in the buckets during the offering. Fill Me Up!

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Thank You to our Christian Education Volunteers!

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.

Henry Adams

Tara Beamish

Liz Brenneman

Lyndsay Dimengo

Amy Dvorak

Colleen Flanders

Jack Fuerst

Christy Harp

Karen Hodges

Mike Hodges

Sharley Greer

Brent Kuwatch

Diana Langenfeld

Vince Lehman

Connie Leonard

Judy Martin

Roger Martin

Pam Milhoan

Emma Nibling

Marilyn Nibling

Mark Nicol

Diane Oplinger

Doug Oplinger

Eric Osier

Amy Prater

Andrea Rossiter

Pat Stiles

Dick Stratton

Mike Trinko

Sue Wendling

Todd Wendling

Ashley Wilson

Children and Youth Ministry Servants Needed Those who are passionate in seeing our family ministries grow – children and youth and their parents – here is how you can help. It will take all of us to serve and tend to these young leaders in our church.

Sunday Mornings Sunday Evenings Intermediate Sunday School co-teacher ARMs (Adults in Relational Ministry) Post Confirmation Teachers (short or long term) Leaders for Fellowship Substitute Teachers Leaders for Mission Substitute Nursery Servants Small Group Leaders

Occasional Servant Opportunities Overnight chaperones

Drivers Special Event Servants (Parent’s Night Out, Easter Eggstravaganza, etc.)

These are real time needs.

Please contact Rev. Katie Osier for more details or to answer God’s call to serve. There will be job descriptions available for all the positions of the family ministries as of July 21.

VBS Training | July 21 | Fellowship Hall VBS training will be held on July 21 at 10:00am during Sunday School.

Class of 2019

We recognize and congratulate those from our church family who are graduating from high school. As they leave high school and go on to college, jobs, or the military, we pray for God’s continuing presence in their lives.

High School *Ben Bowman

*Callie Chaffinch graduated May 30 from Green High School. She will attend Tennessee Wesleyan University where she will continue to play soccer and major in Early Education.

Christi Chaffinch graduated May 22 from Portage Lake Career Center with a certificate in Culinary Arts. She will pursue a career in Culinary Arts.

Cassandra Conley graduated from Green High School. She will attend The University of Akron to study veterinarian sciences.

Reese Cowgar graduated from Green High School. She will attend The University of Akron to begin her studies of earth sciences.

*Emily Jones graduated from Hoover High School with an Honors Diploma. She will attend The University of Mount Union and plans on studying biology with a focus on cancer and/or genetic research.

*Ashleigh Keller graduated from Green High School. She will attend The University of Akron, studying early childhood education.

*Emma Nibling graduated from Green High School. She will attend Kent State University and will study Nursing. She has been admitted to the College of Nursing.

*Paige Rossiter graduated from Green High School. She will attend Ohio University and study in the medical field.

*Elaina Waseman graduated from Orrville High School. She will attend The University of Akron to major in Business.

Continuing Education Scholarship Recipient *Carly Rossiter

College We also celebrate with those who have earned their college degrees.

We pray God will empower them to serve the world with their new skills.

Cassidy Chaffinch graduated May 12 from Heidelberg University with a History degree. She plans to pursue a career in her field of study.

* designates 2019 GUMC Scholarship Recipients

WOW!!! It is hard to believe that our 2018-19 school year has come to an end! A sincere thanks goes out to the members of this church who donated to our 2019 Trike-a-Thon! We raised $11,018 for our fundraiser. A portion of that money will go towards additional lighting updates in the preschool hallway, back stairway, and storage room. These updates would not be possible for us to

do without the support of our preschool families and our church families. Want to continue supporting the preschool? Here are a few easy ways:

* The Acme Cash Back Program will start back up in August!! Don't forget to start saving your receipts!! (collection bucket is located outside of the preschool office).

We earn 5% of the community cash back amount at the bottom of each receipt!

* You can also register your Giant Eagle card at http://www.gianteagle.com/AFTS. Our school code is #5323.

* Save pop tabs to support Akron Children's Hospital (collection bucket is located outside of the preschool office)

* Save Box Tops for education

Contact Shannon, smiller1950@sbcglobal.net to help with special events throughout the school year like helping with copies, filing, etc., serving refreshments, or volunteering to lead a chapel time. This is a great way to connect with our preschool families!

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Greensburg United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 155

Green, OH 44232

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Green, OH 44232

Permit #1

Sunday Service Schedule 9:00am Modern Worship Service 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Traditional Worship Service

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Phone: 330.896.1936 After hours: 330.595.9074 office@greensburgumc.net rev.katie.osier@gmail.com

Greensburg United Methodist Church Please Join Us!

www.greensburgumc.net www.loving-hands.org

PO Box 155 Green, OH 44232

2161 Greensburg Road N. Canton, OH 44720