Bower Hill News July/August 2019

~ Our Default Position ~

“Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in summer.”

~ Proverbs 20:25

Dear Members and Friends,

Summer life is our default position. An anthropologist told me long ago that human beings are essentially tropical creatures. We’re made to live in balmy climes, where an omnivorous diet of fruit, and grains, and meat is available year round. We lack the thick fur of yaks and timber wolves. And as hard as some of us try, hibernation is out of the question for our species. Our bodies couldn’t bear it. We’re de-signed to endure high temperatures fairly well—with enough water. But it requires all manner of ingenui-ty for us to survive the cold. In order to live in colder climates, we’ve had to develop intensive agricul-ture, methods of food preservation, the spinning and weaving of cloth, all types of building construction and architecture, and a huge industry around fuels and energy. If you think about it, we live almost as ex-iles in places like Pittsburgh. We spend so much of our life’s resources just seeking the warmth and the abundance of our ancestral home in the tropics. All the seasons are beautiful, and our great human intel-lect has enabled us to live quite well in far colder places than this. But in the end, we sink into summer each year as if it were our favorite chair. Maybe that’s why most people envision “paradise” as a place with palm trees and pineapple drinks.

Of course, summer is the season when the church grows quieter. With the one joyful exception of

vacation Bible school, the church building ceases to hum with daily activity during the summer months. Most classes go on hiatus. The choir takes a break. The only two people on the chancel on Sunday are the pastor and the organist. Summer is like a dear old friend who only visits once a year; we’ve got so much catching up to do, so much living to squeeze into that one brief visit! We were created for a season that we only experience for three months out of twelve. Is it any wonder church attendance dips?

In quiet moments, we know that it’s not just a seasonal summer that we spend three fourths of our

days longing for. There’s an inner summer that we desire, too: a summer of the soul. Only occasionally do we experience the deep sense of comfort and relief that we feel we were created for. Scripture speaks of these spiritual seasons in poetic speech. Genesis says of our inner winter: “God cast Adam out of Eden, to till the ground from which he was formed. God drove the man out, and at the east of the Garden of Eden, God placed the cherubim…to guard the way to the tree of life.” And Jesus calls our inner summer “the kingdom of God.” It’s the place where all is as it should be.

Kingdom life is our default position. Just as summer is our body’s real home, so the self-giving

way of Christ is our spirit’s true home: hope, faith, love. We yearn for this distant summer in ways both great and small, usually unsure of just what it is we’re longing for. We’ve devised all manner of govern-ments and laws to protect us from life’s cold, all in imitation of the spiritual summer—the love—that is our home. How will you practice summer this year—the summer of the earth, the summer of the heart?

In Christ’s Peace,

~Brian

P.S: Don’t forget to pray for our summer pilgrims to Malawi: Kemp Carter, Coleman Child, Chloe Snyder, Greta Snyder, and Michelle Snyder. They will be traveling from July 2 until July 18!

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Worship Plans

July 7: 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Communion

Luke 10:1-11; Galatians 6:7-16 “What You Sow”

July 14: 5th Sunday after Pentecost

Colossians 4:1-14; Luke 10:25-37 “Go and Do Likewise”

July 21: 6th Sunday after Pentecost

Ministry Student Karl Casey is preaching.

July 28: 7th Sunday after Pentecost

Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 11:1-13 “Teach Us to Pray”

Worship Plans

August 4: 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Communion

Luke 12:13-21; Colossians 3:1-11 “Hidden in God”

August 11: 9th Sunday after Pentecost

Luke 12:32-40; Hebrews 11:1-3 “The Seen and the Unseen”

August 18: 10th Sunday after Pentecost

Luke 12:49-56; Hebrews 11:29-12:2 “The Joy Set Before Us”

August 25: 11th Sunday after Pentecost

Jeremiah 1:4-10; Luke 13:10-17

“Eighteen Long Years”

From the Director of Christian Education and Youth Programs Amy Grella — am@bhccml.com

Youth Group Updates July 29 - August 2 – Junior Day Camp week from 9:30 – noon daily.

Youth in grades 6 and up are needed to help lead Jr. Day Camp for our preschool and kindergarten children. Please contact Amy Grella if you are interested in helping. CE Updates Summer Sunday School and Nursery Coverage

During the summer, children from preschool through completed second grade will be combined during the wor-ship service. Older youth in completed grades 3-5th can join us as junior helpers during this time. Children remain in worship until after the Children's Sermon. Then they will be escorted to room 110 (downstairs lounge) for games, crafts, and to enjoy the playground. Parents should pick up their children from room 110 after worship. Childcare for infants and toddlers will be available in the nursery during the worship service as usual. Register for Jr. Day Camp and Day Camp, July 29-August 2

It’s not too late to register for Bower Hill’s weeklong camp. Day Camp is for youth who have completed 1st-5th grades. Junior Day Camp is for potty-trained children who have completed some preschool up to completed kin-dergarten. Registration and full details for both are available on our website. Simply go to: www.bowerhillchurch.org/daycamp/

Would You Like To Be A Lector?

Are you wondering how you might become more actively involved in the church but have a limited amount of time to commit? You might want to consider being a lector during the Sunday morning services. There are no committees to join and no meetings to attend. There are several individuals on the list of lectors already, so you might only be asked to lector once or twice a year. If you would like more information regarding what it takes to become a lector, or if you would like to add your name to the list of volunteer lectors, please contact Joan Bridges at joanieb@rjbridges.com or 412-276-9300.

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LGBTQ and Church Discussion Group Healing on the Hill

Have you, or has someone you love, been wounded by the churches’ treat-ment of the LGBTQ community? Bower Hill Church is holding an event to offer healing and hope.

What? We’re calling it an “Open Discussion” of faith and sexuality. But we know that not everyone will want to talk. That’s okay. Come and be with others who share your experience; no one will be forced to speak.

Who? These discussions are open to all, especially LGBT Christians, skeptical spiritual seekers, and anyone who has felt hurt by the church.

How? We will spend the first fifteen minutes of the hour reflecting on certain issues of faith and sexuality. The rest of the hour will be spent in guided discussion. See the calendar of topics below.

Where? At Bower Hill Church, an open and affirming Presbyterian congregation in Mt. Lebanon. Enter by any door. Tell the first person you see that you’re looking for “The Friendship Room.”

When? Each Sunday in July and August at 11:00 a.m.

Weekly Topics:

Sunday, July 7: Finding a God of welcome in the Bible

Sunday, July 14: The long road: a history of social stigma

Sunday, July 21: Woundedness and wellness, naming the pain

Sunday, July 28: The churches and their stances

Sunday, August 4: How families can offer support

Sunday, August 11: How faith can heal our anger and hurt

Sunday, August 18: A personal journey

Sunday, August 25: A personal journey

If you would like more information, contact Pastor Brian Snyder. He will be leading most of the discussions:

412-561-4114, br@bhccml.com. We hope to see you there!

Notes from the Eco-Justice Team As summer moves into full swing, life moves out-doors. We’ve gathered just a few ways to make your lawn and garden safer for children and pets, not to mention God’s creation! There are many more, so please don’t forget to share your own planet-friendly habits. As men- tioned last month, white vinegar will eliminate weeds from cracks in paved surfaces. For lawns, pelletized lime will sweeten the soil and discourage weeds. For healthy garden plants, bone meal naturally pro-vides slow-release phosphorus and calcium, while coffee grounds are a great source of nitrogen, as are grass clippings. Learn to compost. It turns kitchen and yard waste into healthy, fertile soil. Just remember never to add any source of protein (such as meat or dairy), which might attract vermin. Local libraries often have classes in composting, many of which include a composting barrel in the cost. Those same librar-ies are a great place to find books and general in-formation on the subject. Consider installing a rain barrel. We have one here at BHCC for watering Sandi’s Garden, which has been all we need except in the driest spells. Those same libraries mentioned above often have speak-ers on this subject, as well. Finally, those pesky mosquitoes! Simple fans on porches and patios will waft them away in a pleas-ant breeze. And, of course, we are frequently re-minded to eliminate any source of standing water. If you have a swampy area that often collects wa-ter, consider installing a rain garden (more detailed info coming in the future). They are an attractive and more permanent way to control those pests!

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PONDERINGS FROM THE PA “You Have Arrived at Your Destination”

If you have a Global Positioning System (GPS for short) and have programmed in a specific address or place, you are familiar with these words. They proclaim that you are where you wanted to go. How-ever, this is dependent on what you programmed into the GPS to begin with. Several years ago when Amy and I were in Phoenix, we had been told not to miss seeing a Native American Museum. I programmed into the rental car GPS what I thought was the address and away we

went. About a half an hour later, as we pulled into the parking lot of a motorcycle shop, it announced, “You Have Arrived at Your Destination.” What I discovered was that I had not bothered to add SE to the street address. After I corrected my error, we discovered the museum was actually just a block from our hotel. I believe the faith lesson in this event is that your life’s journey will only result in the proper destination if you have the correct address. We all stray from the path and by God’s grace we can correct our sense of direction, if we but allow the Spirit to guide us.

LIGHTING THE STEEPLE The opportunity to light the steeple of Bower Hill Community Church has been a great success. Many have sponsored a night in honor of a person or a special occasion. It has also been lit as a way to memo-rialize a special person who has passed away. Notice of the lighting and the person, event, or date that it commemorates, will appear in the weekly bulletin. The cost of this is $10 a day and can be sent directly to the church. (You will not be billed for this.) Requests should include: 1) The date(s) you would like to sponsor; 2) The reason you want to sponsor (in honor, in memory etc.); 3) The name of the person(s) or the event as you want it to appear in the bulletin; 4.) Your name. Email your request to: Amy Leasure at amlea97@hotmail.com

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE CAN BE MULTIPLE SPONSORS FOR THE SAME DATE.

Dedications for July and August are as follows: July 1 -- In memory of her father, James Lather, by Nancy Criswell. July 4 -- In honor of the enslaved people who built Bower Hill Mansion. General John Neville was the owner of both the mansion and the slaves. Neville is well remembered around town, memorialized for all kinds of things from streets to islands to townships and businesses. Not enough people remember or even know about the slaves who built the first great building in our neighborhood. --Sam Kidder July 6 and 7 -- For Caroline Barone and Mary Good, in memory of their sister, Susan, as requested by a friend. July 10 -- In honor of Rocco Rizzo on his birthday, by his daughter JoAnn Goode. July 14-15 -- In honor of Bill and Jean Barker, by Susan Hill Brown. July 20 -- In honor of BHCC staff, by JoAnn Goode. July 25-26 -- In honor of Rev. Brian Snyder, by Susan Hill Brown. July 30-31 -- In honor of all BHCC Charter members, by Susan Hill Brown. August 1 -- In memory of her mother, Margaret Lather, by Nancy Criswell. August 5-6 -- In honor of Jean Barker, by an anonymous donor. August 25 -- In memory of Dorothy Earlandson, mother of Kay E. Allen.

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Community Notes Want to be included on this page? Submissions are typically due the 15th of every month

for the next month’s publication (unless otherwise announced). 412-561-4114 or office@bhccml.com

Senior Men’s Breakfast Group

For the next two months, this group will meet on Tuesdays, July 2 and August 6, at 8:00 a.m. The meeting location is the Denny's restaurant at 2180 Greentree Road, near Swallow Hill Road. All senior men are welcome. No res-ervation is required. Conversation is spontaneous.

Western PA Diaper Bank Update

In June, 190 size 5 baby diapers and 14 medium plus adult diapers were given to the Diaper Bank, and we thank everyone who contributed. However, at this point, it appears that the momentum behind this mission initia-tive has declined significantly, and it was suggested that collections be suspended. The expectation is that we would continue to encourage our congregation to make monetary donations and donate coupons, and you will be advised once a decision to continue collections has been made by our Mission Committee.

We have greatly appreciated the opportunity to assist the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank in providing this valuable service to under-served families in the region. The Bank’s impressive growth in its impact and range of services confirms the critical nature of its mission.

Glass Recycling Info.

Free glass recycling is available at Michael Brothers which is located at 901 Horning Road in Baldwin. The glass must be separated by color into green, brown and clear bins. Cardboard recycling is also available, but boxes must be broken down until flat. Hours are 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Saturday. --- Bill Cadwell

Sanctuary Flower / Donation Dedications

If you are interested in purchasing sanctuary flowers or making a donation to the charity of your choice as a dedication in memory/honor of a loved one, please contact the church of-fice to request a form or information. At this time, available Sunday dates are as follows: August 11 and 25, September 22,

October 13 and 20, December 8 and 22.

Bookworms

Our ladies’ book discussion group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in Room 105 for fellowship and discussion of a chosen title. Every-one is welcome to read the book for the month and join the discussion.

July 23—Tattooist of Auschwitz, by Heather Morris

August 27—Where the Crawdads Sing,

by Delia Owens Currently #1 on Best Seller List--get your request in

early. Unity Food Pantry Collection

Our upcoming collection dates will be Sundays, July 14 and August 11. The greatest needs at Unity Food Pantry are for peanut butter, canned tuna, macaroni and cheese, cold ce-reals, and cereal bars. Donations of any non-perishable food items are always wel-

comed. Collection bins are located in the hallways outside the church office and the narthex.

Newsletter Deadline Notice

The deadline for the September Kickoff edition of the newsletter is August 15.

Newsletter volunteers will meet on August 22. There will be no mailing to fold in July.

FAMILY PROMISE

BHCC’s next hosting week is July 7 to July 14.

Sandi’s Garden Don’t forget that we still need volunteers to keep the garden weeded and watered this summer and fall. Sign-up sheets for coming months will be on a clipboard on the Sandi’s Garden cart located across from the Nursery.

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2019 SUMMER WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS – July / August

DATE Usher Captains

and Greeters Communion

Coffee Hour

Flower Dea-

con

Sexton

Soundboard

Dishes

7/7

July Captain (7, 14, 21) Sam Kidder

------------------------- Matt / Lauren Kocher

Jean Miewald

Ruth Robbins Chris Robbins Margaret Zabo

Ivey

Mary Good

Bill Cadwell

Rob Mackey

McElroy

7/14 Alex / Rachel McElroy

Jean Miewald McElroy

Kathy Philson

Dick Headley

Nathan Ivey

Rising

7/21 Alfie / Val Watterson

Kara Pepicelli Mitchell

Betsy

Hohlfelder Glenn Child

Peter Morgan

Delestienne

7/28

Usher Captain (TBD)

Gordon / Anne Mitchell Barb Oram

Johnson

Darenda Lease

Dick Headley

Bill Andrews

Robbins

8/4

Usher Captain (TBD) Peter / Cathy Morgan

Dawn Kane

Deb Carter Bethany Gibbs Mike Riemer

Saba Doris Olinger Bill Cadwell

Glenn Child

Boisvert

8/11

Usher Captain (11, 18, 25): Mike Riemer

------------------------- Curt / Kathy Philson

Lori Rothschild

Belardi Josie Sheldon Tim Lease

Rob Mackey

Ivey

8/18 Jason, Kiri and Ellie Rising Kocher Val Watterson Tim Lease

Nathan Ivey

Hohlfelder

8/25 Dave and Shelly Saba Boisvert Phyllis Mad-

den Glenn Child

Peter Morgan

Delestienne

Sept. 1 Captain: Sam Kidder

------------------------- Mary Beth Waine / TBD

TBD Andrews Cynthia Gissin Bill Cadwell

Bill Andrews

Mackey

Social Media -- An EASY But Important Way to Help Spread the Word About Bower Hill

If you love Bower Hill, why not share it with the world? The Communication Committee (in particular Connie May) has been working hard to enhance Bower Hill's presence on Social Media, and we now have active Facebook and Instagram accounts! Will we ever "go viral"? Probably not, but having up-to-date and relevant accounts enhances our credibility because 80% of the visitors to our website will also check our Social Media accounts. How can you help? 1. Review us on our Facebook account and on " the big" search engine. More good reviews put us closer to

the top of search results. 2. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram 3. Comment on posts. In addition to just “liking” a post, you can add a quick comment or emoji. The more "quality" interac-

tions, the more our posts will be shared publicly. 4. Share posts. Connie does a fantastic job of posting about everything from worship services to Mission and Parish Life

events to Adult Ed. You can share those that appeal most to you. We will also let you know about specific posts that we’d like to see shared through mass emails from the church office.

5. Tag your friends. When commenting or sharing posts, tag some of your fellow church members. If someone tags you, you may comment or share the post as well.

6. Contribute to the Bower Hill Story by sending your pictures of the church and our activities to Connie May at maze3909@gmail.com. We would love to share the stories on our pages!

If you have any questions, please contact Connie or Glenn Child. Let’s build our online reputation together!

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July 1: D.J. Geis, Jr., Mary Laufer Katie Krol Benjamin Robosky July 2: Craig Frock July 4: Glenn Child Jennifer Gardner Brian Harman July 5: Henry Carter July 11: Jeremiah Wagner July 12: Scott Bruce, Holly Smith July 13: Debbie Seifert Carolyn Westerhoff July 14: Glenna Creaves Karkaria July 16: Alison & Andrew Shwallon Ella Siefken July 18: Ray Henney, III July 19: Adaline Gray, Ruby Siefken July 20: Linda Johnson Kristoffer Lansbery Matthew Linaburg July 22: Mandy Belardi July 24: Wyatt Gray

Dave May Phyllis Yohe

July 27: Preston Harness July 29: Karen Cooper Matthew Dunfee Jennifer Foster Dawn Kane Elaine Mackey Ruth Robbins July 30: Jim Burke Aug. 3: Emmalyn Gray Aug. 4: JoAnn Goode Mary Beth Waine Aug. 7: Maya Williams Peter Smith Aug. 8: Kim Kennihan Aug. 10: Amanda Gray Aug. 13: Amber Grier Aug. 14: Nancy Green Craig Grella Sage Williams

Aug. 15: Noelle Grella Aug. 16: Monette Shuttleworth Aug. 18: Sandra Caffo Emma Hicks Aug. 21: Bill Cadwell Aug. 23: Ella Belardi, Bob Ferrero

Joan Bridges Aug. 28: Michela Robbins Aug. 29: Graham Harman Aug. 30: Andrew Smith Aug. 31: Jean Miewald Catherine Morgan

Have we missed YOUR birthday? If your name is not listed, it is because the church office does

not have your information. Please call the office administrator at

412-561-4114 with updated infor-mation.

THE BIRTHDAY BLESSING:

Please take a moment to read through the names, pray for them, and offer them your best wishes!

JULY AND AUGUST

Children’s Language Immersion Program (CLIP) Our building is a tool for mission. For that reason, we allow it to be used by organizations whose ethos is in keeping with our own. We are pleased to welcome our new tenants, the Children’s Language Immersion Program, or “CLIP,” to parts of the lower level in the south wing. The CLIP program provides in-person Spanish immersion programming for children from birth through 5th grade. The afterschool language program and preschool story time offer children an exciting, enriching, and inspiring environment that allows them to learn about the target language and culture. The curriculum is filled with entertaining and scholastic activities that motivate students to participate and interact. It employs formal lessons, games, songs, and various other proven methods to best facilitate the learning process. If you would like more information about the program, please visit www.clippgh.com or send email to contact@clippgh.com.

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 2335

Pittsburgh, PA

OUR CHURCH STAFF

Rev. Dr. Brian Snyder, Pastor

br@bhccml.com

Parish Associate

Rev. Dr. Fred Leasure

fr@bhccml.com

Company of Pastors

Rev. Tami Hooker

Rev. Phil Jamison

Rev. Dr. Fred Leasure

Rev. Dr. Betty Sykes

Amy Grella

Director of Christian Education

and Youth Programs

am@bhccml.com

Anne Smith, Director of Music Ministries

an@bhccml.com

Philip Engel, Financial Secretary

pe@bhccml.com

Karen Reynolds, Office Administrator

office@bhccml.com

THE CHURCH OFFICE

[412] 561-4114

Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m.— 2:30 p.m.

Bower Hill Community Church Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

70 Moffett Street Pittsburgh, PA 15243

Phone: 412-561-4114 E-mail: office@bhccml.com www.BowerHillChurch.org

RETURN SERVICE

REQUESTED

Please pray for Our Care List Dennis Geis, Sr.

Lauren Kocher

Betty Mancini, Canterbury Place, 310 Fisk St., #501, Pgh. 15201

Virginia Mason

LuAnne Pattison (former member)

Virginia Reinstadtler, mother-in-law to Mike Riemer

Sunday Transportation

Need a ride to worship? The deacons would like to provide a ride to worship for members who need one. Please contact the church office several days before Sunday worship, and someone will help schedule your ride.

Are you willing to give a ride?

The deacons are always looking for people who might be willing to give rides to church. There are several people who do not dr ive who might come to church if they had a ride. If you would be willing to offer rides, please call the church office at 412-561-4114.