April 2013

The Arch

My, the Lord has certainly kept us all on our toes this past month! We warmed up (literally) with the youth group’s "Souper" Sunday Lunch, and rolled right into the evening with the Relay for Life Concert on March 3rd. Our own "No Longer Strangers" started our evening with its usual fun and flair which carried us right into a wonderful concert by Amanda Joy Hall. She was truly an inspiration, joyous music and a beautiful voice. What a great evening! Thank you Holly Sajna, for bringing that gift to our church.

A Christian meditation series, held in the parlor for 3 Wednesday evenings this month, helped to "Keep our eyes on God". Along with the first Elder sponsored community meal and extra focus on food collection for Westlake Assistance holiday food baskets, there were many opportunities to worship, serve, and share fellowship this past month. I hope you got to enjoy!

Also, taking place a bit behind the scenes this past month, the Administrative Team met to discuss the need for a Capital Improvement Campaign. The group spent much time studying the plans that had been drawn up a few years back. We had a great discussion on the current needs of the congregation, our mission statement, and our current facilities. It was decided to make some changes to the plans and to move ahead with a Capital Improvement Campaign. Jim McPike presented a proposed Capital Improvement Campaign outline which we all decided looks great. The plan would put us in line to start these changes soon to take advantage of the summer and the absence of Best Beginnings. Jim McPike will Chair this Campaign with Rick Adkins as the Co-Chair. Over the next few weeks and months you will be hearing and seeing much as we kick off the campaign. It is all very exciting. So I urge all of you to listen, ask questions, pray, and then prayerfully consider your pledge.

Serving in Christ, Holly Adkins - Moderator

Elders’ Ministry News

Way to go WCC! The first Free Community Meal was a success! The small but mighty group of guests were treated to quite a meal and were very thankful for it! The next date was given to those in attendance and we're sure the word will spread for the next meal coming up on April 21st! Thank you to those of you that were able to pitch in any way you could, from food prep, set-up, clean-up to serving and supporting the event. If you missed out, please feel free to find a way to help out for April's meal. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex or simply fill out the comment card in the bulletin. In God’s love, Chris McPike - Elder Co-Chair

A Note from the Moderator

Page 2

Are you ready for an upgrade?

Starting on Sunday, April 14th through May 19

th at 11:45 a.m., the Adult Sunday

School Class will be upgrading our image of God and who God wants to be for us! You are welcome to join us!!!

In The Nature of God, Graham Cooke challenges us to look again at our understanding of who God is. Many people's image of Him is flawed--yet what we think about God is the single most important thing in our spiritual journey. God wants us to be confident in Him and in His love for us. People who are doubtful about what God wants to do for them, urgently need to upgrade their image of Him. Many great men and women of the Bible went through the experience of receiving a new revelation of who God wanted to be for them, and so must we--if we desire to live a life of faith and conviction.

The class will be studying the 45 page interactive journal book titled The Nature of God by Graham Cooke. Books are $7. Please let Diana know if you would like a book!

The Arch

Thank you for supporting our Chili

Cook-off. The financial support from

everyone in attendance brought in over

$700.00 for the Cleveland Christian

Home.

We look forward to seeing you

again next year.

North Eaton Christian Church

Dear WCC family, I want to thank everyone for making my 3 1/2 years as Ministry Assistant at WCC so wonderful. You have all been so very kind and welcoming to me. I will miss you all greatly.

I have decided to take a full time position with benefits at a company I have been with for many years. It is a good move for me and my family, but comes with regrets of leaving my “other family”. Again, I thank you all for your love and support.

Sincerely, Laurie Daniels

Please excuse the quality of the scan below.

April 2013 Page 3

Saturday, April 27, 2013 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM A Fund Raising event for Westlake Christian Church “Gathering in the Son” to be held August 17, 2013

The Spring Boutique fundraiser is Saturday, April 27th from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. This year we have 30 vendors with all kinds of products, twice as many as last year. Some are from direct sale companies such as;

lia sophia Jewelry Tastefully Simple Avon Products Origami Owl Simply Said Demarle at Home Mary Kay Park Lane Jewelry Pink Zebra Perfectly Posh Tupperware Scentsy Dove Chocolates Thirty-one Gifts

Premier Jewelry Pampered Chef

**Also shop with crafters of handcrafted items** Cupcake Specialist; handcrafted scarves, jewelry, knit & crochet items; Hair clips, bows and clip holders;

quilted items, books, wreaths; Cecilia’s baked goods; Handcrafted quilted items; Classic Kettle Korn; Pandora’s Creations - Record art & wire wrapped Jewelry; and more!

Shop for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduations, Weddings, birthdays or just shop for yourself! Each vendor has paid for a table with the hopes of selling their particular items. The money from the tables is going to support Gathering in the Son. In order to keep these vendors coming back each year, we need a good crowd to come through the doors. If you can hang a flier where you frequent or if you are media savvy, advertise for us that way, too! Invite friends, co-workers, and neighbors to stop by to see all the unique items. Thank you in advance for your help as Westlake Christian Church, “Changes lives and brings people peace in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ” through this ministry. Pam Pohorence Co-Chair Gathering in the Son

From the Heart of Covington is one of a series of Covington books written by Joan Medlicott. I have read and reviewed a couple of other books from this series. I believe this is probably the first book, but nonetheless it

really makes no difference in what order they are read. We still have Hannah, Grace and Amelia the principle characters. These women, all of whom are widowed, share a home in Covington, NC that was willed to Grace by an elderly uncle. The women are of an uncertain age, but fast approaching seventy.

Sharing a home and discovering hidden talents in each makes for a wonderful and heartwarming book. Amelia had no idea she would become a talented photographer who has an opportunity, through a friend, to display some of her black and white photos at a gallery in New York. Hannah has always loved gardening and living in Covington has given her the opportunity to enlarge her knowledge of flowers and vegetables. Her neighbor, George Maxwell, offers Hannah the position of designing the gardens and all areas of Belle’s Gardens which he has given to the people of Covington as a memorial to his late wife Belle. Hannah is in her glory with the position and has created a beautiful space for the public to enjoy. She and George become very good friends and we look to a romance beginning to blossom among the two.

Grace, who inherited the farm they live on, has met a retired Army Commander through her volunteering at a local grade school as a tutor. Bob’s grandson is enamored with Grace and through the little boy, becomes an almost constant companion to Bob. Each lives their own life but are very much in love. Grace chooses not to marry again, but becomes “grandma” to Tyler and his yet to be born baby sister.

The book has many interesting little stories, including when Hannah’s youngest daughter comes to recuperate after a boating accident that took the life of her husband and all their possessions. A strained relationship of many years begins to heal as Hannah and Laura begin to understand each other. This is a wonderful heartwarming book that makes for great reading during the cold winter months.

Betty Pagel

Bookworms Review By Betty Pagel

The Arch Page 4

Matt Sajna begins his second season as the

Akron Aeros bullpen catcher on April 4. Be sure to check out a game at Canal Park in Akron throughout the season (April through early September). Let Matt know if you're attending so he can look for you after the game (you might get pictures and an autograph too!)

Congrats to Emily Marvin, who received the "Caring More" Award for Crossroads Hospice Cleveland Office.

Garrett Linden has signed his commitment papers and been sworn into the United States

Army. He will report for boot camp in mid July. Many prayers for him and his family during his time of service.

Erik and Ian Malinoski have been keeping busy. They both participated in the OMEA Music Competition with the North Olmsted High

School Band. Both boys recently had great bowling scores with the Buckeye Youth Bowling League -- Erik had a 192 and Ian had a 199. And they will be appearing in "Guys and Dolls" at North Olmsted High School at the end of the month -- Erik as one of the gangsters and Ian in the orchestra. Our own Judy MacKeigan will be doing costumes for the show!

Don't mind the frazzled look Leigh Goughnour may have for the next few months. She is

finishing up planning for her June 29 wedding, and she and fiancé Iann just bought their first home in Brunswick!

The ladies enjoyed an evening out recently at the Pier W Chocolate Night.

By Betty Pagel & Laurie Daniels

Lee Ann Gilgen and her immediate family took their parents on a Caribbean cruise

for their 50th Wedding Anniversary last month. A GREAT time was had by all!

Great job to Holly Sajna for coordinating the Amanda Joy Hall Relay for Life Concert last month, and thank you to

those who helped -- Jim and Chris McPike, Bonnie Boyd, Bev Sajna, and Holly and Rick Adkins. No Longer Strangers were a great opening act, and everyone in attendance enjoyed Amanda's story and music.

David Huynh is busy finishing up his senior year at Ohio State University and sifting through his acceptance letters to many

graduate schools. Good luck on making that tough decision!

Carter Cruse, grandson of Don & Mimi, is playing one of 2 male leads in the Bay Village High School Musical, “The

Boyfriend” on March 21, 22, & 23rd. Proud grandparents are very interested in seeing Carter dance the Charleston!

The McPike’s are back to a family

of 3 with the new addition of their dog, “Conway”. He is a 5 year old Australian Shepard mix they adopted through a Canine Rescue. It’s only been a few days but he seems to have adjusted to being spoiled very well!

April 2013

Westlake Christian Church now has its own team in the Westlake Relay for Life! The event takes place Saturday, July 13 starting at 2 pm

through Sunday, July 14 ending at 8 am at the Westlake Rec Center. We need church members to participate -- walking and raising money for our team. Please see Meredyth McKenzie or Holly Sajna for more information on how to get involved.

The McKenzies traveled to Dallas in mid March to visit Jon's sister and her husband. Jon's parents and grandpa also went. It was

Julia's first plane ride, and despite teething and a bumpy ride home, she did great! They are looking forward to another trip to Pittsburgh in April.

Page 5

We love sharing your news items, so please keep those joys and blessings coming in to the office or to Betty so your church family can celebrate with you!

Let us know about all the interesting things going on in your family: births, marriages, graduations, achievements, special awards, etc.

Contact the church office by e-mail: office@westlakecc.org or call 440-871-2400, or contact Betty via e-mail: bettyinfairview@gmail.com or call 440-779-8770.

Youth Group “Destination

Unknown” at the

Lake Erie Monsters

Game

The deadline for the Arch is the 15th of

every month! Please forward all news items

or photographs for the May newsletter to

the church office by: Monday, April 15th.

Walk & Run for the Kids 2013

Join Cleveland Christian Home in Fighting Against Child Abuse and Neglect!

Help the Cleveland Christian Home bring hope and healing to children, teens and families struggling with mental illness, abuse and neglect! Join us for the 24th annual Walk & Run for the Kids, presented by National Automotive Experts in honor of their dealer partners, on Saturday, April 20th at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Walk, run or stroll a 5K course that winds through the Zoo grounds. This is a great event for families, friends, coworkers, youth groups or just about anyone! Back again this year are the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team, Cavalier Girls and Mascots Sir CC and Moondog! We are also bringing back our free Shutter-booth photo stand! To register, visit cchome.org or call 216-476-0333.

Page 6

Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday -- Thursday Email Addresses:

Rev. Yost— revjyost@westlakecc.org

Laurie Daniels— laurie@westlakecc.org

Geoff Peterson— geoffreyapeterson@gmail.com

Westlake Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 25800 Hilliard Blvd. Westlake, OH 44145-3397 Phone: 440-871-2400

Visit us on the web at Http://www.westlakecc.org

First

Class

Postage

Place mailing label here

2013

Gloria Smith Avon Oaks Porter Pavilion Apt. 11 37800 French Creek Rd. Avon, OH 44011

Wellington Place attn. Grace Krejci Pathways Room 19 4800 Clague Rd. North Olmsted, OH 44070

Betty Roehm Towne Center 400 Community Dr. Assisted Living Room 213 Avon Lake, OH 44012

A publication of Westlake

Christian Church

Westlake Christian Church is Sponsoring:

A “New”

Free Community Meal Sundays April 21st & May 19th

5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

WCC in Hetchler Hall

If you would like to help in any way we have openings! We have specific recipes for the food

which will need to be cooked at your home and brought to the church. We also have set-up, clean-

up and serving opportunities! If you are interested please sign the comment card in your bulletin

or simply call the office and let us know to add you to the list.