October 2018

The Acorn Monthly publication of The Oak Chapel United Methodist Church

4203 West Old Lincoln Way ● Wooster, OH 44691

330-264–2537 ● oakchapelumc@yahoo.com ● www.oakchapelumc.com

Dear Church Family,

As some of you are aware, Courtney is a

teacher by education, and she follows some of

the educators’ pages on Facebook and other

social media. There was an story that she came

across that resonated with her, and I find it

particularly powerful even for those of us

outside of education.

A student was struggling and always giving a

teacher a hard time. The teacher ended up

writing herself a helpful reminder on a post-it

note: “He’s not giving me a hard time, he’s

having a hard time.” That post-it note remained

stuck to her computer for years after that

student moved on from her classroom.

“He’s not giving me a hard time, he’s having

a hard time.” That post-it note reminder could

probably benefit most of us — myself included.

There have been times in my own life when

people have made things difficult — whether

they be customers I was helping in retail, clients

I was working with when I worked in

Information Technology in college, or even in

family life. The easy thing to do is to blame

them — they’re being difficult, they’re not

letting me help them, they’re, they’re, they’re.

But I’m not sure I often stopped to think about

the why — why they’re struggling, why they’re

closed off, why there is friction in the

relationship.

In both Jesus and John Wesley, I see people

who weren’t satisfied with treating the

symptoms, so to speak. Jesus was known as a

healer and miracle worker before his death and

resurrection. While he certainly taught folks

about the Kingdom of God, he did so either

through his ministering to people’s immediate

physical and emotional needs, or he addressed

those needs first and then moved to spiritual

matters. Likewise, John Wesley was intent upon

ministering to people in body, mind, and soul.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs points us to the

same conclusion — people won’t be ready to

hear the Gospel if their stomach is growling from

malnourishment, if their bodies aren’t whole, if

their emotional needs are unmet. Our forebears

followed after Christ knowing that root causes of

the problems people face need to be addressed

before we can serve them.

And so we return to the teacher with that

post-it note. She kept that note to remind herself

that whenever a student was having a hard time,

she needed to pause and uncover the root cause

of that hard time. Then, and only then, could

she help that student catch up and be the student

that she knew they could be.

We, as Christians, aren’t immune from the

challenges that this world throws our way. We

can choose to follow in Christ’s footsteps, and in

the well-trod path our Methodist forebears

traveled. We can practice the pause and uncover

what’s going on in our loved one’s lives that is

creating the friction; we can work to help

unearth what is driving people to turn to drugs

in the first place as the drug epidemic continues

in this state; we can ask members of our church

family that famous Wesleyan question “How is it

with your soul?” when we observe them having

a hard time.

We just need to remember that people aren’t

giving us a hard time, they’re having a hard time.

Blessings to all of you in the name of the

Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

In Christ,

Pastor Kyle

Men’s Breakfast is October 6 at

Green Leaf Restaurant at 7:30

a.m. All men and boys are

welcome on the second Saturday

of each month.

Weekday Bible Studies

The Monday morning Bible

Study will begin meeting again

November 5. We will use Max

Lucado’s 3:16, which unpacks

one of the most beloved scriptures in the entire

Bible, John 3:16. This word-by-word study of John

3:16, the passage that Max calls the "Hope

Diamond" of Scripture, includes a 12-lesson book

and DVD for a multi-media experience. Please

consider being a part of this group.

Spiritual

Growth

As mission and evangelism are the

work of the church as a whole, the

Outreach Committee will focus our

efforts on one more project this

year. The second Saturday in December we will

once again sponsor a trip to Valley Head, West

Virginia to share Christmas with the children there.

Through the years we have built a relationship

with those in need in this Appalachian community.

This would not have been possible without the

generous support of the members of our church

congregation. It is hoped that you will plan, once

again this year, to support this outreach ministry

with your prayers and sponsorship.

More information about sponsoring a child by

purchasing $25 gift(s) will be shared as we receive

it from Mt. Vision. We also welcome volunteers

who are interested in attending the event in West

Virginia on December 8.

Fair Parking

Rain or Shine you can count on Oak Chapel folks!

Thank you to everyone who helped out parking

cars for the fair! We raised $3,717 which is only

$597.50 less than last year. Saturday and especially

Sunday were very slow this year due to the rain/

flooding. God calls us to come together to endure

the storm. Thank you again everyone!

Christy Rickard

Thank you, Christy for your scheduling genius!

Welcome Center Staffing

October 7 & 14 ~ Evelyn Silver

October 21 & 28 ~ Connie Reed

Our Welcome Team is a group of dedicated

individuals who staff the Welcome Center each

Sunday morning before worship. Won’t you help us

with this important ministry of the church? Contact

Carol Gossage for more information and to sign up.

Oak Chapel’s Sanctuary!

What a blessing to celebrate with former pastors,

members and friends.

We look forward to another 50 years together!

Upper Room

Due to the large number of Upper Room

devotionals that remain on the table in the narthex

each month, we will not be purchasing them next

year. If you are interested in receiving this

devotional next year you can purchase either a

digital or print copy for $13.99 a year. The contact

information is: Upper Room Ministries

1908 Grand Ave / PO Box 340004

Nashville TN 37203-0004

Or you can subscribe online at upperroom.org.

We will continue to provide Our Daily Bread

devotionals. Donations for this publication would

be appreciated.

The United Methodist Church

and especially the East Ohio

Conference has an ongoing

relationship with the people of

Liberia, Africa. Liberia is a

country a little larger than

Tennessee, along the west coast

of Africa. It is located south and a little to the east

of Sierra Leone. Elizabeth Feldman will be leading

a mission team to Liberia January 8-25, 2019, and

she is in the process of building the team. Would

you like to join us? The 2500 meals that we

packed in August have been shipped and will be

used in the St. John UMC School so that the

children will have at least one good meal a day.

Many children do not go to school and the goal

for 2019 is to build a high school in Harrisburg. If

you would like to support this mission trip, you

can donate to Oak Chapel’s Farmer to Farmer

fund. If you would like more information, contact

Elizabeth.

Dasie Nordick and

her host family in

Brazil. Dasie is part

of the Rotary

Exchange program

and will be in Brazil

until next Spring.

October 1—7:00 p.m.

Join us for fun and fellowship and

an evening of crafting. 7:00 pm on

the first Monday of each month.

The Membership Care Committee

has a list of homebound members

who are visited by one of the

committee members on a regular

basis. Please contact Christy Rickard,

330-264-3830 with any member

needs. Cheryl Rastetter continues to coordinate

getting meals to those members of our church who

have been ill or in the hospital. If this is an area

where you could help, such as cooking or

delivering, please call Cheryl at 330-262-9369.

Blood pressure screenings are still being offered

after worship on the third Sunday of every month.

The Membership Care Committee is looking at

options to have a CPR/AED Training, details later.

Please see Christy Rickard if you have a request

for speaker topics that would be of interest.

OCTOBER

ANNIVERSARIES

10 Courtney and Kyle Gould

15 Miriam and Dave Zech

Wish your neighbor

a happy day!

This information comes

from our membership

database. Please contact

the church office if there

are any corrections.

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

2 Jamie Jarvis

5 Tina Clevidence

Kim Domer

10 Dylan Jarvis

12 Gene Taylor

15 Rosie Troutman

21 Julie Grossniklaus

24 Tyler Jarvis

26 Courtney Gould

David Jolliff

29 Karen Wiley

World Communion Sunday, October 7,

celebrates the universal and inclusive nature of

the church. Our sanctuary will be specially

decorated for this special Sunday. If you have

any textiles or items from abroad that you

would like used, please contact April Aten.

Health and Wellness Corner —

All About Influenza Virus (flu)

Symptoms of the flu: chills, fever, body aches,

severe cough, severe fatigue that may last two-

three weeks, sometimes sore throat, nausea,

vomiting, and diarrhea.

The flu can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia and

can be life threatening.

If you get the flu vaccine you may avoid getting

the flu or if you do it will not be as severe.

The flu season is December until Spring.

You should contact your doctor if you are

getting weaker or have shortness of breath.

Getting the flu vaccine yearly is recommended

to prevent getting the flu and you should get the

vaccine in early October.

Faith, Hope, Love in Action

Thank you to everyone who has

donated to the UMCOR school kits.

We will be taking the supplies to

Eastbrook Mission Barn so that they

can be distributed to students in need.

This fall Oak Chapel UMW will be joining

Apple Creek UMW in a program to support

feminine hygiene. The program, known as Days

for Girls, provides washable, sustainable hygiene

kits to girls and women all over the world. Each

hygiene kit lasts 2-4 years, giving girls back

months of missed education and opportunity.

The simple Days for Girls hygiene kits have a

tremendous impact on women’s and children’s

lives. Girls no longer need to miss days of

school every month. And when girls are

educated, they feed their families and lift their

entire society, breaking the cycle of poverty. In

addition, the availability of hygiene kits gives

girls and women back their dignity, shields them

from abuse, and protects their health. If you

have a sewing machine or serger and are

interested in helping with this ministry contact

Georgia Taylor.

We will start candy making on October 15

(cutters and strippers are needed), Fellowship

Luncheons (volunteers to host a Sunday are

needed) and our annual Bazaar (craft items are

needed). Contact Elizabeth Feldman if you can

help with candy making, Evelyn Silver if you

can help with Fellowship Luncheons, and

Miriam Zech or Phyllis Weaver if you can help

with the Bazaar.

Pam Domer, Co-President

Helpers in Pre-K to 2nd

Grade

October

7 Evelyn Silver 14 Miriam Zech

21 Cathy Shallenberger 28 Evelyn Silver

Friends Together is a group of people from the church who have signed up to get together

and have a time of fellowship. This can be at your home, a restaurant, or whatever you

decide. Each family or individual will take a turn to host. This is a time set aside to get to

know each other better, have discussions, and experience spiritual growth with others in the

Church. Also when your groups plan a get together please let Pastor Kyle and Courtney

know so that they have the opportunity to attend these group gatherings and get to know everyone. If anyone

would like to join a Friends Together Group or have any questions please call Christy at 330-264-3830 and we

will get you into a group. All are welcome! This is a time set aside to get to know each other better, have

discussions, and experience spiritual growth with others in the Church.

UMW's

Annual Bazaar

October 20

This is one week

earlier than

normal. We hope

to piggyback with

the Triway Craft Show on the same date to draw

more customers. The Bazaar is our biggest

fundraising event and the proceeds go to Mission

projects. It will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., but we

can use help one hour prior and one hour after.

This is what you can do to help us.

Volunteer to help. Women and Men and Kids.

There will be work ahead of time setting up, help

needed during the event, and help tearing down.

Help needed the day of the Bazaar includes

putting out signs, watching food heat up, dishing

out side dishes and desserts, and getting soup and

sandwiches for customers, Kids can carry trays, clear

tables and help carry purchases to the car when

needed. We will need help in the Kitchen Korner

(bake sale) with pricing and helping customers, as

well as other jobs on the sales floor, like "fluffers!"

None of those jobs are difficult, but without you,

some jobs may have to be doubled up and that

makes it harder. We usually do two shifts of three

hours, so you can enjoy the Bazaar as well as help.

We need things to sell: crafts, gifts and useful

items sell the best, but if you have a great idea- go

for it! We need baked goods, candy, etc. packaged

to take home. We have clear "clamshell" containers

if you want them. Cookies can go as a dozen, or

half dozen. small pies and loaves of different breads

sell well, as do full sized ones.

We need you to invite people you know to come

support us and the Missions we support! And

finally, we need your prayers for blessings over our

work.

The sign up sheets will be coming out soon if not

already. Please pitch in and help!

Miriam and Phyllis

Six years ago, we celebrated the 200th anniversary of Oak Chapel United Methodist Church and now this

year, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the construction of our sanctuary and fellowship hall. We

have come a long way since the blockhouse meeting place.

Our mission is clear – to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

But, what does our future look like? Purpose and mission are fairly easy to define, i.e., why do we exist?

However, vision is much more strategic and asks questions like “What do we want to become?”

Mission motivates and vision focuses our actions. As we celebrate our history, we need to look ahead and

start planning our future, i.e., what will we become? Some churches use pledge programs to fund current

operations and/or capital projects for future facilities. I don’t think we need a pledge program because we

have a generous congregation that gives both tithes and offerings. Although, it is never wrong to reflect on

the spiritual discipline of tithing. We also have an active tribute program with the Memorial Funds.

Nonetheless, we don’t have an trust/endowment fund that can supplement shortfalls in the general fund and

carry us through fluctuating donation cycles.

Last year, we received notice that a longtime member bequeathed a substantial donation to Oak Chapel

United Methodist Church. We are in the process of investigating whether to establish a trust fund,

endowment fund or other investment approach that would allow earnings to be used for current expenses.

As we pursue this task, it’s not too early to encourage the congregation to start thinking about supporting our

mission into the future. This fund will not compete with the Memorial Fund as those are tribute funds

donated by others. The trust/endowment funds will come from the donor to the church, typically as a

deferred gift. Stay tuned for more information.

Stuart Mykrantz ~ Finance Chairman

Septem

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WE INVITE YOU TO WORSHIP WITH US

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Worship 10:30 a.m.

——————————————

Oak Chapel United Methodist Church

“Serving Christ and Community through Love, Compassion, Fellowship and Caring”

Rev. Kyle Gould ............................................................................ Pastor

Pam Domer .............................................................. Deaconess/Secretary

Jen Moser ..................................................... Organist and Choir Director

Miriam Zech .............................................................................Custodian

Church Phone ................................................................... 330-264-2537

E-mail addresses:

pastorkgould@gmail.com oakchapelumc@yahoo.com

Visit our website: www.oakchapelumc.com

WE ARE NOW ON FACEBOOK! CHECK US OUT!

CANAL DISTRICT OFFICE

800 East Market Street, Akron OH 44305

1-866-442-4403 (free) or email CanalDistrictUMC@neo.rr.com

Rev. Ed Peterson, District Superintendent

Debbie Bryant, Administrative Assistant

ACORN Newsletter

Oak Chapel United Methodist Church

4203 West Old Lincoln Way

Wooster, OH 44691-3239

http://www.oakchapelumc.com