8cc51a94f9eb4e15bf830ebdf8f49fc7

Presenting to the General Assembly

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 18:38:40 GMT

Peace in the City & Building Hope

Pastor Janet Hellner-Burres was honored to present at the General Assembly during Missionfest 2019 - please click here ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AMi2a6_0fM&feature=youtu.be ) to watch her presentation, "Peace in the City & Building Hope."

The Visitor: November/December 2019

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 01:13:28 GMT

NOTES ON THE JOURNEY: 40 Day Gratitude Fast

“I was struggling with a difficult time in my life” , she said. “I missed my sister so much. I think about her everyday. Finally I found a way through my grief. I made a blessing box and everyday I wrote down on little slips of paper what I was thankful for and put it in my Blessing Box. It has really helped me through this painful time.”

What a great idea! A Blessing box – or basket or bowl. The container doesn’t matter. What does matter is the practice of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the anecdote for the poison of bitterness, the raw pain of mourning and the despair we feel over the violence and hate in our world. Gratitude can save our souls, families, communities and world! That is why the Scriptures repeatedly advise us to be thankful and grateful “in all circumstances ”. These wise teachings concerning gratitude are not for the benefit of God whose “ego” somehow needs to hear us say “thank you” but for our own benefit. Scientific studies reveal the wisdom of the scriptures in that persons who practice gratitude “report higher levels of positive emotions, such as joy, pleasure, optimism and happiness, and feeling more alive and awake. They also experience health benefits, such as stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, improved sleep, and fewer aches and pains. They also exercised more and took better care of their health.” (Research by Robert A. Emmons and Michael McCullough of University of Miami)

Brother David Steindl-Rast teaches, “If more people were grateful, the world would actually begin to change for the better. You can’t be grateful and hateful; you can’t be grateful and selfish. Gratefulness confers a host of benefits for the individual and for the world.” His teachings are powerful and healing, especially as we consider that he lived through Nazi Germany!

Since the holidays can be stressful for many and impossible for a few, I am proposing that we commit to a 40 Day Gratitude Fast starting on Thanksgiving Day and ending on Epiphany which is January 6. We are going to need the discipline of gratitude if we are going to get through these holidays – through the financial worries, the family tensions, the grief over losses, the impossible schedules and the lack of sunshine. Gratitude can see us through this time – with grace and joy.

So bring your baskets, bowls or boxes – and a few extra for those who forget – to our Thanksgiving service and dinner on Sunday, November 24. We will decorate them and begin our journey of gratitude. Gratitude may be the way to not only survive the holidays, but to thrive! What a great way to end the year and to begin a new one. In profound gratitude to God from whom all blessings flow.

Please know how grateful I am for this ministry and for each and every one of you! Pastor Janet

“ WE ARE NEVER MORE THAN ONE GRATEFUL THOUGHT AWAY FROM PEACE OF HEART.”

Brother David

EVENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS:

HOLY – DAYS

THANKSGIVING DINNER
Sunday, November 24
After Worship
Invite family and friends to come and see our worship and to enjoy this time of giving thanks for another year. Please sign up if you are bringing extra guests.
Be sure to bring yummy desserts and some funds to help offset the cost of the meal.

ADVENT MINI-RETREAT
Thursday, December 5
3 – 7 PM pm
Our sanctuary will be set up with prayer stations and our labyrinth will be available for prayer. Come for a few minutes or for the entire 4 hours to spend extra time with Emmanuel. Friends and family are always invited to our retreats.

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE & COOKIE RECEPTION
Tuesday, December 24 at 7:30 pm
Child care provided! On this holy and sacred night, let us gather for the celebration of our Lord’s birth with candlelight and communion. Think of someone you can invite to join you for this special time of worship as we complete our Journey Home to Jesus. There will be car care in the parking lot from 7-9:30 pm. Please bring cookies for a time of fellowship following and your offering for the Pastor’s Compassion Fund to assist the needy of our congregation.

SPECIAL SERVICES

YOUTH SUNDAYS
December 1
Enjoy our young people as they lead us in worship the First Sundays of each month

THANKSGIVING SERVICE
Sunday, November 24
10:30 AM
Give thanks for another year of blessings as we give thanks to our staff for another year of ministry. Bring a basket, bowl or box to decorate. After Worship: Annual Thanksgiving Dinner - bring desserts, free-will offering & guests!

HANGING OF THE GREENS
Sunday, December 1
Learn the meaning of the Christmas decorations which all point to Jesus

PEACE SUNDAY
Sunday, Dec 8
On this Sunday we pray to the Prince of Peace for the peace only He can bring to us.

SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
Sunday, December 22
Our choir and Praise Team will sing the songs of the season while Kingdom Kids will share the story of Christ’s birth in music and readings.

A TIME TO GIVE & GIVE THANKS

SANTA’S OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, December 14 from 1-4
Join the joyful chaos of ministering to the families of Wilkinsburg. Spread the love of Jesus with a smile, a hug, a prayer and your warm presence at this event which the community looks forward to every year.

Please sign up to help in the following ways:

Set up crew Sat, 11 am
Clean up crew 3-5
Registration Table 12-3:30
Photograph Team 1-3:30
Games & Prizes 11-4
Food 11-4
New to You 2-3
Security 1-4

PRIZES NEEDED
*Items for boys – tots to teens
*Will take other donations as well

GREEN BEANS NEEDED!
Help the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry by donating cans of green beans for their Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. We need to collect 150 cans – 75 for each holiday.

GOD’S CREATION CALENDAR FUNDRAISER FOR CODENAME
Please purchase a 2020 calendar or more to help support our youth.
The wall calendars are $10 this year and the pocket calendars are $7.00. Please contact Kathy McLafferty if you would like to order a calendar.

COOKIES, COOKIES, COOKIES

Santa’s Open House
December 8

Christmas Eve Worship
December 24

Please sign up or call the church at 412-241-3556 so we know how many cookies we have for each event!

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
Due Dec. 8
It will soon be time to order flowers for Christmas. The cost is $8.00 for each poinsettia. Please call the church office at 412-241-3556 to order your plant/s. If you don’t reach anyone make sure you leave a phone number so Darlene can call you back to get the details of your order. Mail the check made payable to the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg to 748 Wallace Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221. Orders are due December 8.

JOIN THE CHOIR FOR LESSONS AND CAROLS!
Sundays, December 1, 8, 15 and 22.
Choir members and those who would like to join us for special holiday music and the Service of Lessons and Carols, please mark your calendars for the following special rehearsals at 9:15 on Sunday mornings:

Sunday, December 1
Lead Hanging of the Greens worship
Rehearse at 9:30 am

Saturday, December 8
Pageant Rehearsal and Cookie baking

HOLIDAY GUN BUY BACK
Saturday, November 16
10 – 2 pm
The Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project for Peace in partnership with the Wilkinsburg Police Department will be hosting this gun buy back program at the boro building. All hand-guns will receive a gift certificate for $50 and all riffles a certificate for $25. Help us get the word out for this important effort to create peace on our streets.

SPECIAL OFFERINGS

THANKSGIVING OFFERING
Sundays, November 17 and 24
This special offering supports our young adults going to Disciples’ colleges and seminaries.

Christmas Offering for our Regional Church
Sundays, December 22 and 29
Our annual Christmas offering supports our
regional church. Think of all the region has done for us through Laurelview summer camps and youth retreats to the mission camps the region brought to us the last few summers to help us renovate our building!

Christmas Eve Offering
Tuesday, December 24
Every Christmas Eve we give to the Pastor’s Compassion Fund which supports confidentially members of the congregation with financial needs such as utility bills, scholarships to retreats, etc.

THANK YOU, ALL WHO HELPED WITH SACRED SPACE TOUR & OPEN HOUSE!

The Visitor: October 2019

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 20:00:11 GMT

NOTES ON THE JOURNEY: FROM A GRANDMOTHER’S HEART

There are not words to describe this Grammy’s over-flowing heart. Connor James Boatright, my first grandchild arrived at 12:45 am on August 8. I simply cannot thank God enough for him. I thank God that my baby – Katie – was safe through delivery and allowed me to be present for the birth of Connor. I thank God that he has a father, a true daddy, who clearly adores his son. I thank God for answering my prayer of fifteen years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer that I would live long enough to hold my grandchildren. I thank God for my parents who not only modeled what a wonderful grandparent does (and doesn’t do), but whose blood and prayers flow through this little one, the first of their great grandchildren. I thank God that Connor arrived as a sign of God’s comfort less than a week before my beloved brother-in-law, John, crossed over into eternal life.

Connor’s arrival creates a greater urgency in me for the work of peacemaking, earth-keeping and faith-building. I long for a different kind of world for him – a world with far less division, hatred and violence. A world where Connor will not have to practice Active Shooter Drills in school. A world where Connor can delight in Kuala bears and butterflies which are in danger of extinction and the Amazon rain forest which is burning as I write. I want him to experience the same beauty of God’s creation that I have experienced over the years – an extravagant beauty which has inspired and healed me through life’s heartbreaks and trials. I want him to be judged not by his white skin and male gender, but on his gifts, abilities and talents even as he learns to do the same for all the amazing people of different races, religions, lifestyles and politics God will send into his life. Most of all, I want him to know Jesus – the Prince of Peace of every heart and the entire world.

As I ponder Connor’s arrival just weeks after the terrible tragedies in Gilroy, California, El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, as well as the first anniversary of the Tree of Life shooting which will be coming at the end of October, I understand how vital our ministry is and how critical it is to share the love of Jesus with a heart-broken world. This Fall I will be preaching on the Beatitudes as a rule for our lives. These words of blessing have the power to change not only our lives, but our world for Connor, your family’s children and all the children of the world.

--Pastor Janet

P.S. Thank you to all who participated in Katie’s baby shower, as well as for your beautiful gifts and cards, as well as your faithful prayers for our family during this time of birth and loss. What a gift this church family is to our family!

EVENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS:

FLOCK SUPPERS
Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:30
Hellner-Burris Home

Pastor Janet and Steve invite you to join them for supper and fellowship during one of the flock suppers this fall. Bring the family and a dessert. Come to get to know your church family better and to share your ideas for our ministry. Please contact the church office or sign up after worship for one of the following suppers:

September 18
October 2
October 16
October 30

NEW OFFICE EMAIL
In order to protect Jen Castelli’s personal email account, we have a new church email for church business and items for the bulletin and Visitor. Please start using the church’s email of office@christianchurchofwilkinsburg.org . For personal matters, continue to address your concerns to Pastor Janet’s email of pastorjanethb@gmail.com .

LEADERSHIP TEAM NOTES
Our fabulous Leadership Ministry Team met at the end of August for our annual planning and listening session. Pastor Janet led a conversation about two primary goals for the next three years as we move toward her retirement:

Leadership Development
Already we have new people in new leadership roles in our congregation including Frank Hightower on the Leadership Team, Jennifer Castelli as a new trustee and financial secretary, Pam Long and Jeff McLafferty as new elders and Alyssa Castelli and Stephane McLafferty in a new role as Junior Deacons. Our goal is to raise up nine new leaders by the year 2022. New leadership includes people who work on the property, in missions, in fundraising, in P.R. and in spiritual leadership of the congregation. As a part of growing spiritually, the Leadership Team will be discussing Pastor Janet’s new book about our ministry called STAY: Deeper into Jesus’ Heart in the Heart of the City which describes the core values and Holy Words which have led our journey of faith.

Congregational Growth
Our goal is to bring twelve new members into the life of the congregation in the next three years. This means that we need to equip the congregation in how to invite people to come and see what we are about. We need to work on telling the story of what our church does and what we believe. As a part of this process we are developing new calling cards, guest bags, website and possible a Youtube channel for Pastor’s sermons and our ministries to be shared.

A TESTIMONY FROM A YOUTH: From Joseph’s Basketball and Bible Camp & Codename Saturday

Tue, 28 May 2019 23:14:56 GMT

Hello. My name is Leon Turner, I am 13 years old diagnosed as having Autism and ADD. I have been in the JBB and Codename for 7 years. I warn to first thank Jesus who is my Lord and Savior, the family of Joseph, Pastor Janet, Mr. Tillman and the volunteers that made a huge impact in my life for the last 7 years in these programs. I hope one day I can be a volunteer as well.

First, I enjoy going to both programs because it provides a safe environment for kids and teens to play sports and games. Its a program that detours kids from hanging in the streets and provides a christian understanding on how we are to treat others with respect. I am grateful for the program because it provides meals and for some of us growing up in a single parent home its rough to make sure all meals are provided for. Then there are other families that just can’t afford anything so I know I am fed for dinner and a snack is provided. I thank the program for it also has a low cost snack machine just incase I want to get another snack.

Second, The rules of both programs are specific and to the point. If our parents instilled them in us like my mom did the kids would not have a problem abiding to their rules. The rules help keep order especially with the kids who grew up with no rules. Respect is taught throughout the program and I am safe from bullying.

Thirdly, the games are pretty cool. Basketball teaches us how to have sportsmanship and how to shoot baskets. I have to say basketball isn’t my strongest but I can say I can shoot baskets now. It may have taken me some time to learn but with consistency I did it.

Next, The volunteers are helpful and it’s good to see others that care enough to take time out of their schedules on saturday to be a positive role model for us. It’s a jungle out there.

Lastly,the staff are role models to us and knowledgeable to handle any situation that occurs with the kids and I hope the program stays open because there are not too many christian programs that provide a safe environment in the city of Pittsburgh that meet on Saturday evenings that aren’t shut down. Where would we go on saturday evenings? but the streets. I go to JBB or Codename Saturday.

Thank You
Leon Turner

Love Thy Neighbor

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 22:22:44 GMT

Last spring, I drove around Pittsburgh looking for ideas for a new banner for the side of our building. I found one I liked over the front door of a sister congregation: LOVE THY NEIGHBOR! NO EXCEPTIONS! It expresses well the challenge of the Gospel not only to treat all as neighbor, but to become a good neighbor in this time when our world is divided by politics, race and nationalism.

Being a good neighbor took our church dancing in the parklet on Penn Avenue last summer for Jazz Nights as we offered refreshments and talked with our neighbors. Being a good neighbor has expanded our New to You Shop mission so that we serve refreshments and offer a quiet place for neighbors to meet on Thursday afternoons. Through those chats we discovered that there was a homeless couple who we cared for through the frigid winter months until they found safe shelter. The Faith and Fundraiser Team took on the challenge of being a good neighbor by providing free soup suppers to the community every Friday night in December for those who were hungry or lonely during the holiday season. In November, we offered a Prayer Breakfast for caregivers knowing how stressful that job is and, in the spring, we offered a Free Health Fair. Being a good neighbor takes us to the Allegheny County Jail where we teach forgiveness every Wednesday to leading three trainings in racial reconciliation last spring for United Church of Christ ministers. At the end of each training, Carol Calloway issued the challenge of doing one thing to stop racism. That resulted in a pastor from a rural congregation two hours away bringing skilled workers last summer to help us with our capital campaign renovations They were so impressed with our ministry that they came back for Santa’s Open House in December loaded with toys! What a God-thing!

Youth from across Pennsylvania and West Virginia worked alongside our neighbors during a summer regional mission camp. Five colleges lived in our building and worked in the community during their alternative spring breaks. Not only did they touch the lives of our neighbors in need, but they also learned about racial disparities and urban neighborhoods. Now they can teach others how to be good neighbors back in Missouri, Michigan, West Virginia and Philadelphia.

Being a good neighbor sent us to the Jewish Community Center. Last September, I was invited to speak at the Yom Kippur services about our work with the Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project for Peace in walking with our neighbors on Franklin Avenue after their tragic shooting. One month later, the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting took place. It was as though God was preparing them for their tragedy. Since then, a deep friendship has developed between our communities. Rabbi Ron Symons even attended our Christmas Eve worship service! Being a good neighbor also has called us to reach out to our Muslim neighbors as we work together for peace on our streets.

Truly our Lord is teaching us to go deeper in our understanding of what it means to be a good neighbor. Like the banner says, He is teaching us to Love Thy Neighbor. No Exceptions!

The Visitor: March/April 2019

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 21:38:48 GMT

NOTES ON THE JOURNEY: EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE

I was not thinking. As I pumped away on one of the exercise stations at Curves, all I could think about was getting to the fan to turn it on because I was getting over-heated. So, with my mind pre-occupied, I not only slipped off the exercise machine, but my foot rolled underneath it. My body went down hard and with a loud crack, I knew that my ankle was in trouble! My lack of focus has put me in a brace for the next several weeks. Thankfully, I do not need surgery and this small fracture will heal with some added rest and conscious effort to slow down and watch where my feet are going!"

It is easy to get distracted. Easy to lose focus. Most of the time we are not aware of our thoughts. But thoughts are at the root of all our sins. Distracted thoughts lead to all manner of falls. Anxious thoughts lead to terrible choices. Unkind thoughts lead to unkind words. Unhealthy thoughts lead to unhealthy actions. That is why this Lenten season we are working on “taking every thought captive to Christ”, as 2 Corinthians 10.8 prescribes. We are repenting not only of the unloving words and actions we commit, but we are asking the Holy Spirit to take us deeply into the thoughts which cause us to sin. We are following the centuries old wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers who trained their minds to reflect on the source of their thoughts. Is this thought of God, the ego, the world or Satan? One such Desert Father, Abba Anthony “trained himself to notice his thoughts, laying them out rather than resisting them. This holy father of monasticism then learned to redirect his thoughts, either by rethinking them or by placing a prayer (or scripture) alongside the thought.” (Thoughts Matter by Mary Margaret Funk). In addition to repenting of our sinful thoughts and redirecting them to holy and loving thoughts, we will be learning how to still our minds of thoughts – so that God can get a word in edgewise! “A mind at peace, stilled, available for conscious thinking at will is of major value for those of us who confront chaos, confusion, noise and numbness as our pace of life quickens” (Thoughts Matter). Isn’t this the wisdom of Psalm 46. 10 of “Be still and know that I am God”?

With the wisdom of the Scriptures, as well as ancient writings from the Desert Fathers and Mothers and contemporary writing from Joyce Meir in her book Battlefield of the Mind, we will journey together in “being transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12. 2) so that we will think more and more with “the mind of Christ” (Philippians 2.5).

Let’s think about our thinking and take EVERY thought captive to Christ! Pastor Janet

P.S. Thank you so much for the gift of my sabbatical. In addition to precious time with family, I was able to spend nearly every morning in prayer, study and reflection and every afternoon in writing and finishing the manuscript for the book about our church’s ministry called “Stay: Deeper into the Heart of Jesus in the Heart of the City.” Thank you also for the gift of your presence at my birthday party on March 3 and all the beautiful cards!

EVENTS:

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Annual Church Cook-out
Sunday, July 28
Monroeville Community Park

MEETINGS FOR MINISTRY

Board:
Sunday, May 19 after worship

PRAYER CONCERNS:

*For our beloved members with health concerns: Iris Brown, Shirley Carter, Gena and Bob Cooper, Don Long, Ed and Joyce Masessa, Marge and Jack Peffer, Irene Rinne, Ann Tucker and her daughter Tammy Banks.

*For an inspiring and life-changing Lenten season

*Funding to complete Codename ministry for youth on Saturday evenings

*Funding to complete year for Create AfterSchool Program

*Peace on the streets of Wilkinsburg and an end to gun violence everywhere

*Our partners in peace and mission: Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project, Wilkinsburg Community Ministry, Jewish Community Center

*Our Disciples of Christ church family and our regional minister, Rev. Thad Allen, and General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens

Young Disciples

Sat, 05 Jan 2019 23:16:52 GMT

Our church is blessed with amazing young people who inspire us every Sunday! Below are two statements of purpose by our young people working with Mrs. Brown.

I, Alyssa Castelli am committed to ALWAYS be a disciple of Christ. To always help people no matter the circumstance. I will be kind, faithful, and honest no matter what. I am always going to love and cherish The Lord Jesus Christ and the others around me. Yes it will be hard to keep this pledge, but if this is what the Lord wants me to do then I will. So therefore I promise to keep my word to the best of my abilities before God and man

Shaun Jackson, A day of signing for young disciples. So I will always be trying to do my best in school. So I can be a FBI, Marine biologist, coach, lawyer, or a Doctor. I plan a college in Arizona to stay there for a couple of years to have degrees. When I’m confronted or challenged I will still try my best. Like when one of my teachers said if anyone is trying to bring you down there already below me. So that inspired me so I will use that when I get older, because people will try to bring you down so remember that. Another quote is that Never quit believing in yourself. I learned that you have to achieve no matter how hard your goal or opponent is. I pledge before God and the church be my best and do my best.

The Visitor: December 2018-February 2019

Sat, 05 Jan 2019 22:58:08 GMT

NOTES ON THE JOURNEY: THE WISDOM OF WINTER

Looks like we are going to have a REAL winter. Already we have had two days of snow on the ground before December. Even though winter is hard for many of us – the homeless sleeping under bridges, the elderly trying to walk on icy sidewalks, children and adults waiting in near zero windchills for buses – it has its purpose. God created winter so that the animals and plants could rest deeply before the work of new life in the spring. Winter’s wisdom teaches us to slow down, be careful, stay warm, go home and rest more. It teaches us that we cannot always push, strain and expect to be productive in every season of our lives. The occasional snow and ice storms remind us that we really are not in control. Winter has much to teach us.

And so does Christmas. For right in the middle of the darkest days of winter, comes the Light of the World. Right in the middle of a military occupation, a poor girl’s dreams of engagement, and a tiny insignificant village, God disrupts the way it is with The Way, The Truth and The Life Incarnate. The Word of God takes on human form to show us that it is possible to live as children of light, hope, peace, joy and love. At an unexpected time and in an unexpected place God shows up in the middle of winter – and changes the world forever.

In addition to celebrating the miracle of Christmas, our congregation will be going through some significant changes this winter. First, our beloved administrative assistant, Darlene Davis, will be retiring at the end of December. There simply are not enough words to describe how Darlene has blessed us over the years. She not only has performed her job well, but she has made it into a ministry. Her attention to detail along with her kind and compassionate heart can never be replaced. I urge you to be present on Sunday, December 30 to honor her ministry among us in a special retirement party after worship.

Secondly, I will be taking a portion of my sabbatical starting January 22 until February 23. Instead of taking three months off in a row, we have decided that it would be easier on the church’s leadership and finances, if I take a few extra weeks over the next three years to write and rest on sabbatical. Because of the timing of my sabbatical, we will not try to hire a new church secretary until I return later in February or early March. That is why you are receiving a three-month Visitor today. Whatever this winter and Christmas season brings, let us take time to rest, stay warm and turn to the Light - the Light that shines in the darkness and the darkness can never overcome it!

PASTOR JANET

EVENTS:

KING DAY WORSHIP
Sunday, January 20
10:30 am
A special worship service honoring the witness and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is being planned by our Leadership Team and Praise Team.

KING DAY COMMUNITY PRAYER VIGIL
Monday, January 21
1 PM
Location to be Announced.
We hope to have representatives from the Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities with us, as well as youth from Wilkinsburg participating.

NEW TO YOU SHOP
Thursdays Noon-2
January 10 & 24
Shop is in need of volunteers and paper products

PASTOR JANET SABBATICAL
Tues, January 22 -
Wednesday, February 20
Instead of taking 3 months off this year, Pastor Janet is taking her sabbatical over the next three years in two sessions: one in January and February and the other in August. This way she is not gone too long at any one time and her sabbatical will not tax our budget or our lay leadership. Please be in prayer for her and Steve as they take much needed time away. Be in prayer also for Minister Sims as she leads the congregation in the absence of Pastor Janet.

DIVERSITY DINNER
Sunday, February 24
After Worship
The Leadership Team invites everyone to attend this year’s banquet as we celebrate the rich diversity in our congregation. The menu includes bar-b-qued ribs, chicken, spanakopita, pierogies, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, collard greens, haluski and corn bread. We will also have vegetables and assorted salads and ethnic delicacies. Members are urged to bring a dessert to share as well as to present their ethnic heritage through dress, photographs, flags or other mementos.

A love offering of $5 per adult and $15 for a family of 4 or more people is encouraged. But do not let money keep you from this fabulous celebration!

WEEK OF COMPASSION
Sundays, February 17 & 24

Week of Compassion has already begun providing solidarity grants for affected families in the Paradise and Chico congregations who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires this November. The Camp Fire, which has burned 140,000 acres, has resulted in at least 56 casualties, with hundreds of others still unaccounted for. Immediate needs are shifting quickly, but recovery from this fire, which comes at the same time as the Woolsey Fire in Southern California and just three months after the destructive Carr and Mendocino Complex fires, will be a long process. Representatives from Northern California VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) told Week of Compassion staff on Thursday that this is the first time they have seen this percentage of fire damage in a single municipality. Long-term recovery, especially restoration of infrastructure and housing, is of major concern. Another significant concern they note is the high percentage of elderly residents and residents with disabilities and access and functional needs. Your prayers and gifts help Disciples respond now--with solidarity grants through our local congregations--and throughout the months and years to come. Week of Compassion responds to disasters across our nation and around the world. Give generously for the need is tremendous!

DATES TO REMEMBER

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
2 Brayden Sims
7 Jeff McLafferty
13 Robert Gubash
16 Janae Reed
21 Jerome Garrett
29 Emily Mills
30 Marvin Cole, Sr.
30 Frank Hightower
30 Peggy Cole

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
04 Iris Brown
07 Benjamin Hellner-Burris
24 Kathy McLafferty
30 Barbara Grayson
30 Don Long, Sr.

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
14 Andrea Regan
16 Austen McLafferty
16 Alex Coley
19 Becky Davis
20 Frank Brown
25 Ann Greider

MEETINGS FOR MINISTRY

Deacons: Sunday, January 6 after worship to put away Christmas decorations

Trustees: Thursday, January 17 at 5 pm

Leadership Team: Sunday, January 20 after worship

Board: Sunday, March 10 after worship.

PRAYER LIST

THANKSGIVINGS
*For Pastor Janet, Elder Carol and Minister Angell attending a special gathering of clergy at the Jewish Community Center
*For our guest preacher Rev. Denise Marie Tribble from the Lemoyne Christian Church
*For the Create After School Program that started in November
*For the OPEN HOUSE to show case our church and greet God’s people with love and refreshments and for the amazing job that the clean-up crew did in preparation for the Open House
*For the weekly HOUR OF POWER with Minister Sims taking the lead
*For the Church Lady Sale and those who supported the cause
*For the Prayer Breakfast for caregivers
*For our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner prepared by Ann and Ralph Greider
*For all who gave a Thanksgiving Offering

HEALING & SUPPORT
*Kimberly Smith who had a heart valve repair and for Tracy as she cares for her
*For James Simeone and his family in the loss of his father
*For Edward Leonard and his family in the loss of his father
* Frank Brown, Mrs. Brown’s husband, who is home
*Tammy Banks, Ann Tucker’s daughter who is undergoing treatment 3 times a week
*Continued prayers for support for Iris Brown, Shirley Carter, Gena Cooper, Don Long, Ed and Joyce Masessa, Marge and Jack Peffer and Irene Rinne

OUR MINISTRY

*Our Community Soup Suppers during the holiday season and for Santa’s Open House
*Create After school program and for program funding
*For Codename, our youth ministry on Saturdays
*Faith and Fundraiser Team as they work to raise new funds and ministry
*The Sanctuary Project to end youth violence

DISCIPLES FAMILY OF FAITH
*Our Regional Minister, Thad Allen and our General Minister, Rev. Dr. Terri Hord Owens
*Hanna Simpson our moderator’s daughter
*Pastor Nikki serving as interim in Monongahela

WILKINSBURG
*Police, fire department, Mayor, boro, and school district
*Our partners in ministry: Sanctuary Project, WCM,
St. James Social Services, Hosanna House, Community Chaplains, Mad Dads, Boys and Girls Club and sister churches

PEACEMAKERS & EARTHKEEPERS
*For Rabbi Jeffrey Meyers, The Tree of Life Synagogue, the Squirrel community and the City of Pittsburgh
*For the people of California after the mass shooting and wildfires
*For recovery from Hurricanes Michael and Florence
*The family and friends of Khalil, a Wilkinsburg youth killed and Antwon Rose
* President Donald Trump and world leaders for peace with North Korea and Iran
*Refugee crisis in Europe and an end to the civil war in Syria
*For all children to be reunited with their families at our border
*Our troops and their families
*Earth keepers around the world

The Visitor: October-November, 2018

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 21:29:47 GMT

NOTES ON THE JOURNEY: 40 DAYS OF GRATITUDE

It was a simple house. Very small by American standards. It was in the middle of a wetland area in Costa Rica. Not another house for miles around. Even though we were there to birdwatch our Costa Rican naturalist stopped to tell us about the family who lives in the house. “They are the happiest people I know. There are 5 children and 2 parents. Every morning they wake up and hold hands and give thanks for another day. Then every evening they hold hands before bed and give thanks for the blessings of the day. They don’t have much, but they are the happiest people I know. Truly. Truly happy.”

Throughout the scriptures we are advised to be a thankful and grateful people “in all circumstances”. This commandment is not because God’s ego needs to hear us say “thank you” but for our own benefit. Scientific studies reveal the wisdom of the scriptures in that persons who practice gratitude “report higher levels of positive emotions, such as joy, pleasure, optimism and happiness, and feeling more alive and awake. They also experience health benefits, such as stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, improved sleep, and fewer aches and pains. They also exercised more and took better care of their health.” (Research by Robert A. Emmons and Michael McCullough of University of Miami)

Brother David Steindl-Rast teaches, “If more people were grateful, the world would actually begin to change for the better. You can’t be grateful and hateful; you can’t be grateful and selfish. Gratefulness confers a host of benefits for the individual and for the world.”

When I read these words in the Stop Look Go Workbook on Gratitude from A Network for Grateful Living, I knew that I had found a study and practice for our Fall season. Starting on Sunday, October 14, we will begin 40 DAYS OF GRATITUDE which will conclude on Thanksgiving Day. I will provide daily spiritual practices in gratitude through the bulletin and our weekly church update based on this workbook. Those who want to go deeper can order the workbook for $18. We also will focus on gratitude during our Fall retreat at Laurelview.

Come and see what a deeper practice of gratitude can do for your health, relationships, our church and the world. As Brother David says, “WE ARE NEVER MORE THAN ONE GRATEFUL THOUGHT AWAY FROM PEACE OF HEART.” PASTOR JANET

EVENTS:

NEW TO YOU SHOP
Thursdays Noon – 2
Reopens in October
October 4 & 18
November 1, 15 & 29
Also collecting paper towels and toilet paper single roll, 2 pk., or 4 pk

THURSDAY HOUR OF POWER
Every Thursday Evening
October 4-November 15
6- 7 pm
Join Minister Sims for a brief devotion and time of prayer and silence in our sanctuary.

KINGDOM KIDS UPDATES
First Sundays October 7 and November 4: Kingdom Kids meet at 9:30 to learn a song and to participate in worship
Special Outings:
October 28: Bowling with McLaffertys
November 25: Cookie baking and assisting with Hanging of the Greens after worship

MUSLIM WOMEN’S
ROUND TABLE
Tuesday, October 9
7-8 pm
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Mosque on South Avenue across from Ferguson Park
All our women are invited to join Pastor Janet for an informal gathering with Muslim women as we talk about our concerns and learn from each other. There will be goodies!

CHURCH OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, October 13
11 – 6 pm
Folks from all over Pittsburgh will be visiting our building, learning about our ministries and enjoying art work by Frank Hightower, our featured artist! Please sign up to assist in greeting, refreshments, poster sale for Codename, 10,000 Village sale and New to You Shop.
WE NEED LOTS OF HELP TO SHOWCASE OUR CHURCH!

CROP WALK
Sunday, October 14
1:30 pm Starting at South Avenue United Methodist Church
With the famine in Africa and recent natural disasters, we need to support this year’s annual walk for hunger relief more than ever. Please sign up to walk or sponsor a walker. If you are walking, please pick up a packet to ask friends and family to support you on your walk.

WILKINSBURG COMMUNITY MINISTRY’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Saturday, October 20 at 6 pm
South Avenue United Methodist Church
Tickets are $50
Let’s celebrate 50 years of serving those in need through Wilkinsburg Community Ministry! See Pastor Janet if you would like to attend.

CODENAME
Community Youth Outreach
Codename is off to a great start, but we still need your help in getting the word out about our program and our new times.

3-6 pm Younger youth ages 5-11 for gym play, video games, movie and hot meal
6-9 pm Older youth Ages 12 -18 for basketball, devotion and a hot meal

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY
Friday – Saturday,
November 2-3
First Christian Church
Washington PA

FALL BACK ONE HOUR
Sunday, November 4!!!

PRAYER BREAKFAST
November 10 9:00 am
Minister Sims is offering a special prayer breakfast on Saturday, November 10 for all who desire prayer. A delicious breakfast will be served which will be followed by a time of prayer in our sanctuary. The cost of the tickets is $20 since this is a fund-raiser for Codename. Help us get the word out and bring your friends and family members!

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DINNER
Sunday, November 18
After worship
Bring desserts and friends/ family to this special occasion. This is a great time to invite someone to join you for worship to learn about our ministry.

THANKSGIVING OFFERING
Sundays November 18 and 25
Our special mission offering goes to support young adults in our denomination’s colleges and seminaries.

DATES TO REMEMBER

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
4 Darlene Davis
11 Nicchole Wilder
12 Christian Gonzalez
14 Loretta Shade
16 Darae Calloway
18 Shirley Carter
21 Peggy Blackshire & Jonathan Baughman
23 Kylie Castelli
28 Stacie Ward
30 James Simone
31 Carole Nelson

OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES
9 Barbara & Roy Grayson
22 Ed & Joyce Masessa
26 Alex & Dawn Coley

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
3 Susan Muffett
3 Tennil Reed
9 Marci Mazza-Fredley
10 Irene Rinne
14 Carl Muffett
14 Melanie Baughman
16 Jonathan Mills
18 Minister Cecilia Sims
21 Trinity Sheffey
24 Donna Lynn Smith
25 Stephane McLafferty
25 Leilani Reed
26 Tenaeja Sheffy

NO ANNIVERSARIES THIS MONTH

MEETINGS FOR MINISTRY

Trustees Meeting: Thursday, October 4 at 6 pm

Leadership Team Meeting: Sunday, October 7 after worship

Servant Leaders Training: Sunday, November 11 after worship

Board: Sunday, November 4 after worship

PRAYER LIST

THANKSGIVINGS
*For the Prayer Shut-in, all participants, and for Minister Sims’ vision for the shut-in
*For Rally Day, all who attended, Pam Long and Jennifer Castelli and the wonderful meal they prepared
*For the blessing that it was for Pastor Janet to speak to our Jewish brothers and sisters at the Katz Arts Center
*For the start-up of CODENAME S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y.

HEALING & SUPPORT
* Frank Brown, Mrs. Brown’s husband who being treated for metastatic bone cancer and for Mrs. Brown’s strength
Tennil Reed and family in the loss of her grandmother
*Susan Muffett who had a second heart cauterization
*Tammy Banks, Ann Tucker’s, daughter who is back in the hospital
*William Banks in his travels in Africa
*Continued prayers for support for Iris Brown, Shirley Carter, Gena Cooper, Don Long, Ed and Joyce Masessa, Marge and Jack Peffer and Irene Rinne

OUR MINISTRY
*A new season for Codename, our youth ministry on Saturdays
*Faith and Fundraiser Team as they work to raise new funds and ministry
*Funding for an afterschool program
*The Sanctuary Project to end youth violence

DISCIPLES FAMILY OF FAITH
*Our Regional Minister, Thad Allen and our General Minister, Rev. Dr. Terri Hord Owens
*Hanna Simpson our moderator’s daughter
*Pastor Nikki serving as interim in Monongahela

WILKINSBURG
*Police, fire department, Mayor, boro, and school district
*Our partners in ministry: Sanctuary Project, WCM,
St. James Social Services, Hosanna House, Community Chaplains, Mad Dads, Boys and Girls Club and sister churches

PEACEMAKERS & EARTHKEEPERS
*Victims and survivors of Jacksonville shooting
*The family and friends of Khalil, a Wilkinsburg youth killed
*Family and friends of Antwon Rose and Molly Tibbet and an end to gun violence
* President Donald Trump and world leaders for peace with North Korea
*Refugee crisis in Europe and an end to the civil war in Syria
*For all children to be reunited with their families at our border
*Our troops and their families
*Earth keepers around the world

The Church Being the Church

Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:07:58 GMT

“We will never change the world by going to church. We will only change the world by being the church.” - Author unknown

For as long as I could remember, I had been taught the importance of the church being the church. But try as I might, I couldn’t quite get a handle on that. What was that supposed to mean?

As the years have drifted by and my faith has matured, I’ve found myself wondering what the early church must have been like. Were they as self-absorbed as it seemed we had become? Had we lost sight of our God-ordained purpose? Thus began my quest for truth.

According to the Word of God, those first disciples devoted themselves to four things: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. Healings took place, many came to faith in Christ as a result of their witness, they gave to anyone who had need and they continually praised God for all He had done. How beautiful and so very simple. I couldn’t help but think the modern-day church was missing the mark. We’d forgotten what it means to truly be the church.

“Lord, if there are any who are still getting this right, please show me,” I prayed. At the time that simple cry was uttered, I wasn’t aware that the answer had been right in front of me all along.

It has been my joy to attend the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg every year as part of my annual trek from upstate New York to visit my beloved Aunt Gena. I have always been so warmly welcomed that it has felt like home every time I walk through the doors. Each year I look forward with great anticipation to the genuine smiles and hugs that eagerly await me, and I feel like family.

I’ve come to count on the fact that each minister is appointed by God and anointed by the Holy Spirit, for they never fail to speak His timely words, and I leave challenged and changed. I’ve listened to the heartfelt requests and prayers of this congregation and have been blessed to witness the hand of God move on their behalf as they are always careful to give Him the credit. Many are drawn to Christ because this body of believers represent Him so well.

If the truth be known, I’ve seen pieces of these attributes in many other churches. But the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg has something that’s not always recognizable in other congregations. They consciously search for those in need, making every attempt to be the hands and feet of Christ in a very hurting world. I’ve heard story upon story of the impact of their outreach to the community. Hearts and lives have been changed because of their devotion to their Lord and their desire for others to come to know Him. But it doesn’t stop there. This body truly cares for their own, embracing the hurts and needs within their congregation with an agape kind of love.

Are they perfect? Of course not. After all, there are no perfect people. But I can say with all sincerity that the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg has truly shown me what it means to be the church, and it has helped me be a much better pastor as a result.

The Visitor: August-September, 2018

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 21:19:06 GMT

NOTES ON THE JOURNEY: LETTING OUR LIGHT SHINE

He wasn’t even a Disciple of Christ and yet he “got us.” Two years ago, when we started our Capital campaign we enlisted the services of a local architect. After touring the building and listening to stories about our ministry, he made three major recommendations. First, create a center aisle so that the communion table becomes not only the focal point of the sanctuary, but also the first thing one sees when entering the building. Secondly, install a sign board so that everyone can see information about what we are doing as they walk by on the sidewalk. Thirdly, change the front doors to glass so that light can brighten our dark entry way, but more importantly so that our light can shine out on to the streets.

After a full summer of work, which is still going on, we see what he saw. Our new center aisle is beautiful and provides much needed space for walkers and wheel chairs, as well as future space for a praise band, prayer stations or children’s corner. The sign board right off the sidewalk will soon be full of banners and information about our ministries. The light pouring into the building from the plexiglass panels in our front doors not only brightens our entryway, it lifts our spirits, even as it offers the community a way to see in and feel the Light of Jesus pouring out of our building. In addition, the white paint on the façade and future new lighting will truly make our church building shine for Jesus in the community!
But as stunning as these improvements are, our light for Jesus has impacted the lives of dozens of people this summer. Community youth had a safe place to be on Saturday nights to play basketball for the 14th summer of Joseph’s Basketball and Bible Camp. Members of the church took turns selling pop and candy and sharing news about our church at the Jazz Nights in the parklet every Thursday evening. A group of 25 Lutherans from Columbus worked in our building one day. Then 40 youth and adults from 9 congregations across the regions of Pennsylvania and West Virginia came for the regional overnight mission camp and worked in our building and in the community. (Go check out the flowers they planted at Ferguson park!) Ten skilled workers drove 2 hours each way for three days because their pastor heard about our ministry in the Anti-Racism/ Pro-Reconciliation training Carol Calloway and I led for UCC clergy in June.

Thank you to all who worked so hard this summer, especially our awesome Trustees who gave sacrificially of their time and several members who feed the workers, not to mention those who witnessed the love of Jesus at the Jazz Night. We not only improved our building. We let our light shine for Jesus this summer!

Pastor Janet

EVENTS:

PRAYER SHUT-IN
September 7-8
A Prayer Shut-in led by Minister Sims will begin at 7 pm Friday, September 7 through 7 am on Saturday, September 8.
During this Prayer Shut-in you can come and pray at the church for a brief time or the entire night.

RALLY DAY
Sunday, September 9
With luncheon celebrating our new sanctuary & progress on capital campaign
9:15 Choir Rehearsal
10:30 Worship
After worship: LUNCHEON
Please bring deserts and fruit

CODENAME SATURDAY REOPENS SEPTEMBER 15
Saturdays 3-7:30 pm
Ages 5-18
Volunteers needed who have clearances. Please sign up to volunteer.

BOARD MEETING
Sunday, September 16
After worship
Review of the Child Protection policy and Faith and Fundraiser report

YOM KIPPUR SPECIAL DIALOGUE
Wednesday, September 19
2 pm
Jewish Community Center
Pastor Janet will be one of the speakers in this special service of memory, healing and rebuilding.
You are invited to join her and our Jewish brothers and sisters.

RECONCILIATION OFFERING
Sundays, September 23 & 30
The Reconciliation Offering is used to fund our Church’s mission imperative to become a pro-reconciling and anti-racist church utilizing experiential education, inclusive worship and intentional dialogue. Our efforts to promote healing, relationship and restoration in the whole family of God are enlivened by funds from this offering. Through it we are able to provide programs for leadership development, curriculum for dialogue and learning, and partnerships within the Church and our communities. Your generous giving to Reconciliation Ministry is transforming lives and strengthening Christ’s witness in the world showing that we love one another, even as Christ continues to love us!

ELDERS
Meeting at Church: Thursday, September 27 at 5 pm

REGIONAL WOMEN’S RETREAT
Friday-Sunday
September 28-30
Please see regional website for more information.

KINGDOM KIDS DUCKY TOUR
Sunday, September 30 at 1:30
Adults $20 – Children 3-12 $15
2 & under Free
If you are interested please sign up.
Money is due Sunday, September 2 to Pam Long and Jen Castelli

NEW TO YOU SHOP
Thursdays Noon – 2

CLOSED AUGUST - SEPTEMBER
Reopens in October:
October 4 & 18
November 1, 15 & 29
Also collecting paper towels and toilet paper single roll, 2 pk., or 4 pk

LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING
Sunday, October 7

CHURCH OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, October 13
11 – 6 pm
Plans are underway for our church to participate in a Wilkinsburg church tour. Folks from all over Pittsburgh will be visiting our building and learning about our ministries.

CROP WALK
Sunday, October 14
1:30 pm Starting at South Avenue United Methodist Church
With the famine in Africa and recent natural disasters, we need to support this year’s annual walk for hunger relief more than ever. Please sign up to walk or sponsor a walker. If you are walking, please pick up a packet to ask friends and family to support you on your walk.

CHURCH FAMILY LAURELVIEW RETREAT
Friday-Sunday
October 19-21
CLICK HERE FOR MORE!

BOARD MEETING
Sunday, November 4 after worship

DATES TO REMEMBER

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
5 Georgina Cooper
10 Ralph Greider
12 Tarea Franklin
21 Darryl Nelson
26 Barbara DaLee

SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
8 Marge & Jack Peffer
23 Rob & Rev. Nikki Mazza Fredley

PRAYER LIST

HEALING & SUPPORT
*Marge Peffer who had emergency surgery on her hip
*Susan Muffett who had a heart catheterization
*Ann Tucker’s daughters who have been in the hospital

*Angie Regan who lost two relatives to gun violence this summer. As Angie says, instead of saying “rest in peace” after the shooting, let’s say “live in peace” before and stop this madness
*Continued prayers for support for Iris Brown, Shirley Carter, Gena Cooper, Don Long, Ed and Joyce Massessa, Marge and Jack Peffer and Irene Rinne
*Chris Harris, Matthew Kasee and men of Hope Pod and all who are incarcerated

OUR MINISTRY
*Prayers needed for funding for a new afterschool program at our church for Turner Intermediate across the street
*New Faith and Fundraiser Team working on additional streams of revenue
*The Forgiveness Challenge at the jail which will start again in September
*The Sanctuary Project to end youth violence

DISCIPLES FAMILY OF FAITH
*Our moderator’s daughter, Hannah who is in pain from EDS
*Pastor Nikki serving as interim minister at First Christian Church in Monongahela
*Our regional minister, Thad Allen
*Our General Minister, Rev. Dr. Terri Hord Owens

WILKINSBURG
*Police, fire department, Mayor, boro, and school district and superintendent, Dr. Iverson
*Our partners in ministry: WCM, St. James Social Services, Hosanna House, Sanctuary Project, Community Chaplains, Mad Dads, Boys and Girls Club and sister churches

PEACEMAKERS & EARTHKEEPERS
*All recovering from acts of violence, especially Antwon Rose’s family and Angie Regan’s family
* President Donald Trump and world leaders as they deal with conflict around the world
*Refugee crisis in Europe
*All children reunited with their families at our border
*Our troops and their families
*The people of Syria and Palestine
*Earthkeepers who are protecting God’s creation

THANKSGIVINGS
*For a wonderful summer in ministry including the fundraising concert and 9 weeks of Joseph’s Basketball and Bible Camp
*For Mya Petrovic who accepted the position as our new Music Director!!!
* For the regional mission camp, as well as all the work the trustees did on the capital campaign
*For the witness and proceeds from the Jazz Nights sells
*For the annual church cookout

The Visitor: June-July, 2018

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 21:00:23 GMT

NOTES ON THE JOURNEY: A BIG CHURCH

How big is our church?

On any given Sunday, there are 25- 40 people in our pews for Sunday morning worship. But as important and crucial worship is, our worship attendance does not reveal how big our church is.

The other Sunday, I walked into the sanctuary and the Holy Spirit showed me how big our church really is. The Spirit added to the number in the pews, the 15 – 20 youth who play basketball and learn life skills on Saturday night at Codename or Joseph’s Basketball and Bible Camp. Then the Spirit added the 10-15 children and youth who come to the TEC Arts After-School Program. As the pews started to fill up, the Spirit showed me the faces of those who come to the New to You Shop and are treated to coffee and tea time with Ann Greider, Barb DaLee and staff – about another 10 or so. Though I don’t know how many men are in the Men’s Group the Women’s Shelter runs on Monday evening, the Spirit added another 5 -10 people. Suddenly there were 65 -95 people in the pews!

But the Holy Spirit wasn’t done adding to our pews that Sunday. The Spirit told me to add the 10 men who participate in the Allegheny County Jail study on Forgiveness every Wednesday. The 10 people who work with us on creating peace with the Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project. The 50 people who have been trained so far in Anti-Racism in the two workshops Carol and I have been leading this spring. That puts us at 125 – 155. Now be sure to check my math. You know I can’t add! Then the Spirit showed me the 200 Muslim men who used our sanctuary on Saturday, May 11 for an emergency meeting after a member of their fellowship was gunned down while passing out their newspaper on a Friday afternoon before prayer.

Of course, these numbers do not include the hundreds of lives we touch every week with the love of Jesus with our calls, cards and visits to church members, family and neighbors. Truly we have a big church. A great big - hearted church! If all the people whose lives we touched during the week showed up for worship, our sanctuary could not hold them! We are a BIG church on a BIG mission – to spread the light and love of Jesus to all we will meet!

Pastor Janet

The Visitor: April-May, 2018

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 20:56:43 GMT

NOTES ON THE JOURNEY: MUSIC SAVES

In the opening scene of the movie, “I Can Only Imagine”, Amy Grant tells the song writer that his song, “saved me through a painful and difficult time.” As the movie unfolds, we learn that one of her songs, saved the song writer during the abuse he endured as a child.

Music saves. It not only lifts and inspires. It not only moves the feet and heart; it also saves.

Have you ever had a song which saved you during a painful time? Sometimes my peace and joy in Christ hangs by the thread of a single line of music sent to comfort me during a time of storm. Thank God for the music of my life! God sends me just the right song at just the right time. I could track my spiritual journey by the songs which saved my life, my faith and my sanity.

For over a decade, Edward Leonard has been leading our ministry of music. After nearly a 90 - year musical dynasty of Ted Yearsley and his mother before him, Edward came to us as a graduate student in music direction at Carnegie Mellon. He began as our organist under Ted’s direction, and then became the Music Director when Ted retired at the youthful age of 99. Under Edward’s leadership, the music in our worship services has grown to reflect the diversity of our congregation. We sing old and new hymns, classical and contemporary anthems, gospel and praise. Edward’s unique gifts of reading music and playing “by ear”, not to mention his endless patience and gentle spirit, have been an essential part of our journey of becoming “inter-racial, inter-generational and into Jesus”. While other churches have been embroiled in what ministers call “the music wars”, we have been exploring and welcoming a diverse style of music so that all of our hearts can be moved in worship.
I hope you will join us in honoring Edward’s ministry of music on Sunday, May 27. Choir members and former choir members are invited to rehearse at 9:30 and sing Edward’s last anthem with us. We know this is a holiday weekend, but if you cannot be with us, please mail a card of appreciation.

Then pray. Pray hard for the next Music Director. If you know of someone who is a musician, give me their name so that I can reach out to them with the job description for the Music Director. They may know of someone who will be perfect to lead us into the next season of our music ministry. Pray that God sends us just the right person for this season in our ministry so that our worship music can continue to lift, inspire and save us.

Pastor Janet

APRIL BIRTHDAYS
2 Minister Fred Davis
3 Topaz Calloway
24 Jane Depee, Caitlin Ward, Demond Reed
27 Nancy Peffer Arriza
28 Pam Long
29 Pastor Tracy Muffett Smith
29 Kenneth Calloway

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES
1 Debbie & Frank Brown
17 Ralph and Ann Greider

MAY BIRTHDAYS
3 Fred Davis IV
5 Carol Calloway
10 Ann Tucker
16 Nikki Mazza-Fredley
17 Shawn Burdette
30 Debbie Brown

MAY ANNIVERSARIES
17 Dennis & Sue Ward
26 Eric & Jeanette Gonzalez
28 Jon & Melanie Baughman
28 Alex & Erin Morse

THANKSGIVINGS
*For the Be Not Afraid retreat
*For The West Chester University of Philadelphia Mission Camp
*For the March For Our Lives march
*For our Holy Week events: the Maundy Thursday Service, the Good Friday Prayer Vigil and our Holy Week Prayer Walk
*For the powerful Easter message from Pastor Janet, “I Can Only Imagine”
*For all of our Easter events: the delicious pancake breakfast; Bible Bingo and the egg hunt; the ministry from the Mime Troupe; for our visitors and friends worshipping with us; the basket drawing
*For our new banner outside the church
*For safe travel home from Ireland for our Music Director, Edward Leonard
*For the continued restoration and painting of our baptistry by Ralph Greider and Minister Davis

PRAYER LIST
HEALING & SUPPORT
*Mark Bowers and his wife, Debbie, in the passing of Helen Somma, his mother
*Joyce Masessa whose brother died two weeks ago and her best friend shortly before.
*For the fathers of James Simeone and Jon Baughman who have recently been diagnosed with cancer
*Continued prayers for Iris Brown, Marvin Cole Sr., Peggy Cole, Don Long, Masessas, Marge and Jack Peffer, and Irene Rinne
*Chris Harris, Matthew Kasee and men of Hope Pod and all who are incarcerated
OUR MINISTRY
*Our Music Team as they listen for the next season in our music ministry following Edward’s retirement in the spring
*Afterschool program with Dr. Banks, Frank Hightower, Debbie Brown and Darlene Davis on staff
*Codename Saturday
*The Forgiveness Challenge at the jail
*The Sanctuary Project to end youth
DISCIPLES FAMILY OF FAITH
*Our moderator’s daughter, Hannah who is in pain from EDS
*Pastor Nikki serving as interim minister at First Christian Church in Monongahela
*Our regional minister, Thad Allen
*Our General Minister, Rev. Dr. Terri Hord Owens
WILKINSBURG
*Police, fire department, Mayor, boro, and school district and superintendent, Dr. Iverson
*Our partners in ministry: WCM, St. James Social Services, Hosanna House, Sanctuary Project, Community Chaplains, Mad Dads, Boys and Girls Club and sister churches
PEACEMAKERS & EARTHKEEPERS
All impacted by tragedy in school in Florida
*All recovering from acts of violence
* President Donald Trump and world leaders as they deal with conflict around the world
*Refugee crisis in Europe
*Our troops and their families
*The people of Syria
*Earthkeepers who are protecting God’s creation

THIS VISITOR IS DEDICATED
In Loving Memory of

Helen Somma

Mother, grandmother & great grandmother
Christian Women’s Fellowship member,
Bethany Class,
Tireless New to You Shop worker
and Cradle Role Church member!

WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!
ENTER INTO THE JOY OF YOUR MASTER!

The Visitor: April 2018

Sun, 01 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT

In the opening scene of the movie, “I Can Only Imagine”, Amy Grant tells the song writer that his song, “saved me through a painful and difficult time.” As the movie unfolds, we learn that one of her songs, saved the song writer during the abuse he endured as a child.

Music saves. It not only lifts and inspires. It not only moves the feet and heart; it also saves.

Have you ever had a song which saved you during a painful time? Sometimes my peace and joy in Christ hangs by the thread of a single line of music sent to comfort me during a time of storm. Thank God for the music of my life! God sends me just the right song at just the right time. I could track my spiritual journey by the songs which saved my life, my faith and my sanity.

For over a decade, Edward Leonard has been leading our ministry of music. After nearly a 90 - year musical dynasty of Ted Yearsley and his mother before him, Edward came to us as a graduate student in music direction at Carnegie Mellon. He began as our organist under Ted’s direction, and then became the Music Director when Ted retired at the youthful age of 99. Under Edward’s leadership, the music in our worship services has grown to reflect the diversity of our congregation. We sing old and new hymns, classical and contemporary anthems, gospel and praise. Edward’s unique gifts of reading music and playing “by ear”, not to mention his endless patience and gentle spirit, have been an essential part of our journey of becoming “inter-racial, inter-generational and into Jesus”. While other churches have been embroiled in what ministers call “the music wars”, we have been exploring and welcoming a diverse style of music so that all of our hearts can be moved in worship.

I hope you will join us in honoring Edward’s ministry of music on Sunday, May 27. Choir members and former choir members are invited to rehearse at 9:30 and sing Edward’s last anthem with us. We know this is a holiday weekend, but if you cannot be with us, please mail a card of appreciation.

Then pray. Pray hard for the next Music Director. If you know of someone who is a musician, give me their name so that I can reach out to them with the job description for the Music Director. They may know of someone who will be perfect to lead us into the next season of our music ministry. Pray that God sends us just the right person for this season in our ministry so that our worship music can continue to lift, inspire and save us.

The Visitor: March 2018

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Are you afraid? Anxious? Stressed? Who isn’t these days? If the pace of life doesn’t get to you, the culture of fear will. According to researchers, 2017 was recorded as the most anxious year in the life of Americans and yet most of us had a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, food to eat, people to love and a measure of mental and physical health. Clearly fear is in the air. It is a part of our culture. It sells products and wins elections. It is robbing us of the peace, joy, love and salvation Jesus died on the Cross to give to us.

This Lenten season we are exploring the power of fear in our lives, as it manifests itself in anxiety, stress and worry. Fear is one of the great strongholds in our lives which is at the root of many of our sins – those unloving and unhealthy things we do, say and think. Fear causes us to be reactive, defensive and impulsive. Often it leads to addictive behavior as we seek to numb our feelings of stress and anxiety. Fear makes us sick – physically and mentally. It is causing marriages to crumble and families to split. It is at the root of all hatred, violence, injustice, racism and destruction in the world. Clearly it is one of the best weapons of the Enemy, for all the Thief needs to do to “steal, kill and destroy” the abundant life Jesus died to give to us is to make us afraid.

Yet the Scriptures are clear. We are to BE NOT AFRAID. But how do we move out of the house of fear into the house of faith? How do we become fear–less in such a fear-full world? That is our Lenten challenge as we explore in worship, study and on retreat both the power of fear and faith strategies for reducing its control over our lives.

One of the final teachings of Jesus in the Upper Room is “not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.” Jesus said this before facing the terror of the Cross. He knew his disciples, and we who follow them, would know fear in this world. So He is urging us not to “let” our hearts be troubled and controlled by fear. Not to let the cancer of anxiety and stress eat away at the peace, joy and love He longs to give to us. In other words, we have a choice. We can react to the inevitable troubles and sorrows of life with chronic anxiety and stress, or we can respond with the mind of Christ and choose love over fear. Regardless of our circumstances, we can live in fear or live in faith. The choice is ours.

The Nail of Forgiveness: Dan's Story

Sun, 02 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Dan’s childhood was difficult beyond imagination. He was physically, mentally and psychologically abused by his father. Often he was deprived of adequate food and clothing. Dan left home at 28, when his dad came at him with a knife in the midst of a heated argument. Like many who have had abusive childhoods, Dan slipped deeper and deeper into a life of addiction and depression. After many years, Dan’s father decided to move to Kentucky to be near a friend who could care for him, since his health was deteriorating. Because Dan did not want to have any regrets, as he did when his mother died suddenly, Dan wanted to talk with his father one more time. Moved by our congregation’s focus on forgiveness, as well as his many years of hard work in therapy and spiritual direction which resulted in being clean of his addiction, Dan looked his dad in the eye and said, “You were a poor excuse for a father and I have hated your guts for years … But, I understand now that you did the best you could. I forgive you.” Then Dan reached inside his shirt and found the nail on the purple yarn we had blessed during our Lenten journey of forgiveness. He gave the nail to his father and explained that it represented how Jesus suffered so that we could be forgiven. “Let this be the first nail in repairing our relationship”, said Dan. Though at first his father appeared not to want the nail, he took it with him when he moved to Kentucky. A few months later, Dan received a call that his father was critically ill. He was on life support in a hospital in Kentucky and was dying. Dan called Pastor Janet and they talked about what Dan could do to bring his father to the Lord before his death. They created a service of healing prayer with scripture and anointing oil. Then Dan and his sister made the trip to Kentucky where they made the decision to take his father off of life support. During this time, Dan was constantly being held in prayer by several members of the congregation who knew how painful Dan’s relationship with his father had been and how hard this death would be on him. One day in the hospital Dan was able to spend a few minutes alone with his father during one of his father’s lucid moments. Dan read to his father the scriptures and anointed him with oil. He felt called to stand in the gap for his father’s salvation. After the healing prayer, Dan walked across the room to reach for his small wooden cross. “Dad, do you know what this is?” Though terribly weak, his father had the strength to reach out for the cross and said, “Forgiveness.” Dan responded, “I love you, Dad.” To which his father grabbed his hand and said clearly, “I love you.” Dan’s father died within a few days. Later Dan’s “Uncle” (his father’s friend) returned the nail of forgiveness to Dan. Through it, father and son were reconciled to each other, and Dan’s father went home to live with the Lord eternally. Today Dan acknowledges that there is still more work to be done in forgiveness, but through his experience with his father, he knows he will be led and given the power to do it. Forgiveness works through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Operation Light on Franklin

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

After the tragic shooting on March 9, 2016 on Franklin Avenue, our church joined the Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project partners to bring hope and healing to our devastated community. Within less than 24 hours we held a prayer vigil on the street offering words of comfort and challenge to keep on working for peace. A week later we knocked on the doors of the neighborhood offering information on counseling resources and prayer. On the first month anniversary, we were invited by the homeowners to hold a house cleansing and prayer vigil. But this was not enough. When a grant from the Week of Compassion through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was given to us, we prayed about how best to use that money to bring healing to our community. It was then that Operation Light on Franklin was born. Our church and the Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project joined forces with Rebuilding Pittsburgh Together to work on the 1300-1400 block of Frankllin Avenue to lift up our courageous neighbors. Through two community work days, one in the summer and one in the Fall, as well as the youth who worked on Franklin Avenue through the Wilkinsburg Youth Project's summer jobs program, we were able to board up 11 properties and give a face lift to the neighborhood. Partners from the Mt. Lebanon Presbyterian Church youth group, Bethany College, Bethany Memorial Christian Church assisted our efforts, as well as many neighbors. Most importantly, our presence and prayer vigils on the street sent a powerful message that the way to respond to evil is to do good, as the I Peter advises. Below is a letter of thanks from our partner, Rebuilding Pittsburgh Together which summarizes the work achieved: We are extremely grateful for the generous youth grant of $4,000 provided to assist the residents of the 1300 and 1400 Blocks of Franklin Avenue this summer. Your grant along with support from the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation and Wilkinsburg Youth Project allowed RTP and its partners to work with the neighbors to clean up the blocks and make much needed repairs. We were able to touch 47 properties (11 were vacant and got boarded up) with needed minor repairs ranging from repairing fences, handrails, repairing concrete, hauling away debris, painting and installing visible house numbers. While we believe the work done was very valuable and lifted the spirits of the residents, we know the impact on the youth involved was even more uplifting. Over the summer, a crew of eight lead by three staff from RTP, worked tirelessly three days a week for six weeks. During that time, other youth teams came up to the site to assist. We also held a community work day in July that brought together Wilkinsburg Sanctuary churches, volunteers from the community, and 12 youth from Mt. Lebanon Presbyterian Church. Again that day was incredible as we also had more than 15 neighbors join the work group bringing a crowd of nearly 50 people working and celebrating. Following a year of intensive work and prayer, we returned again to Franklin Avenue on the first anniversary to pray for healing for the families and neighbors. Ministers of the Christian and Muslim community prayed for healing and hope as we continue to recover from this terrible tragedy.