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August 2010 |
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Quaker Haven Camp Reports
Nan Ash (granddaughter of Barney and Winnie Thompson) attended Senior High Camp at Quaker Haven in mid-July. The following week, Kendra Holliger and eight community kids (recipients of Best Special Projects camp scholarships) attended Junior Camp. Special thanks to Marcia Holliger and Mark Edwards for providing transportation for all the kids that week! After their return to Winchester on July 23, nearly 60 Friends and friends welcomed them back at the Summer Splash! swimming party and picnic supper on July 26 in Goodrich Park. Thank you to the Densmores for their grill work, and to the Christian Education Committee for sponsoring a great evening!  |
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Renovation Report During July, Winchester Friends' meetinghouse and parsonage received partial "facelifts." Complete Masonry Services (Yorktown, IN) carried out tuckpointing of the turret and the east, south, and west sides of the upper section of the bell tower. They repaired the building's original chimney and replaced its cap, and they replaced about 100 damaged bricks on the annex chimney and shortened it slightly. The window air conditioners in the office and pastor's study were removed and bricks/blocks replaced. Culy Construction cleaned and repaired the storm drainage system on the north west side of the annex that had allowed seepage into the fireplace room in the basement. John Engle then repaired and repainted damaged interior walls (thank you, John!). In addition to the masonry work, Bill Emrick and Son repainted the exterior trim on the meetinghouse and completed painting of the outside of the parsonage. And lastly, Mangus Construction replaced 5 upstairs windows and 2 downstairs windows at the parsonage. Everyone involved spoke of how well the parsonage and the meetinghouse were built and have been maintained. Thank you to the Trustees and many others who are keeping the building safe and usable for another 100 years. |
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Historical
Marker Update
July's Monthly Meeting approved the historical marker text given in last month's Friendly Reminder, wording that highlights Friends' important contributions to the 19th century settlement and development of this area. The Meeting authorized the Indiana Historical Bureau to produce the plaque, which should be delivered in early October. The $2000 cost is to be paid from memorial funds and possible donations. A brief dedication service will be held after the plaque is installed along Washington Street. |
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Stewardship & Finance August 12
The Stewardship & Finance Committee will meet at the church on Thursday evening August 12 at 7:30 PM. The Committee will review the Meeting's funds and finances, begin preparing for the 2011 budget cycle, and consider avenues for covering July's renovation project expenses. |
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2011 Committee Budgets
Beginning with their August meetings, the church's committees are asked to begin preparing their 2011 budget requests. Committees need to have their requests returned to the church office by October 1 so the Stewardship & Finance Committee has time to prepare the overall budget for first presentation at the November Monthly Meeting. Please note that our IYM 2011 program contribution (for yearly meeting administration/services) will increase from $73 to $75 per adult member, and the IYM 2011 missions contribution (for Friends United Meeting ministries in Belize, Cuba, Jamaica, Palestine, Kenya, and the USA) will remain at $75 per adult member. |
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Best
Special Projects Approved in
July
Winchester Friends receives income each year from a perpetual trust left by deceased Friends Ed and Bashia Best. Since 2001, the Monthly Meeting has given over $100,000 of that Trust income to ministries beyond ourselves in order to make Christ's Kingdom visible in our community and world. In early 2010, Best Special Projects money was given to support Friends' publishing ministries ($1000), the Community Easter Musical ($500), and to send community kids to Quaker Haven Junior Camp ($3000). July's Monthly Meeting approved these additional 2010 Best Special Projects gifts: Earlham School of Religion (scholarships) $1500 Earlham College campus ministries $2000 Friends Fellowship retired ministers fund $1000 Friends Committee on National Legislation $750 Hospice (Darke-Mercer and Ball Hospital) $1500 Shareholders in Shalom, Pennies From Heaven $1000 InterVarsity racial reconciliation ministry (Bob Hunter) $750 KIVA microcredit fund increase $1000
The Meeting also expressed
interest/intent to provide
Special Projects funding to
resupply the Matthew 25:40 Fund
for local benevolence, and for
contributing towards renovation
expenses of an expanded
Community Food Pantry if and
when it becomes a reality.
Even after these expenditures, funds remain available for Best Special Projects during 2010-2011. Please speak with a committee clerk or Meeting officer about your creative new ideas for tangibly expressing Christ's Kingdom.
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Singspiration on August 29
The 5th Sunday Singspiration in May was met with appreciation and affirmation, and the Ministry & Oversight has approved doing it again on the 5th Sunday in August. On that morning, much of the worship hour will be used for group singing, with attenders invited to request a favorite hymn or chorus if they are willing briefly to tell the congregation why that particular song ministers to them. Friends also are again invited to present Celebrating the Arts specials. Those who got to request songs in May are asked to give others the first chance this time. Start now thinking about what song you'll request, and don't miss this special service! |
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Intergenerational
Sunday School
The Christian Education Committee will on August 29 sponsor another 5th Sunday intergenerational Sunday School hour. After the Singspiration, all classes will meet in the dining hall downstairs at 10:30 AM for refreshments and study of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) together with Friends of all ages.
Everyone's invited
-- please join us!
Another 5th Sunday
intergenerational
Sunday School class
is planned for
October 31 with the
theme of All Saint's
Day. In 2011, the
5th Sunday lesson
themes will follow
Friends' classic
testimonies
designated by the
acronym SPICE --
simplicity on
January 30, peace on
May 29, integrity on
July 31, community
on October 30, and
equality on January
29, 2012. Plan now
to participate in
these special
Christian Education
events!
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Sunday School
Promotions August 29
Winchester area students, teachers, and other school staffpersons are preparing to return to the classroom on August 16 to begin their new school year. During the 5th Sunday Intergenerational Sunday School hour on August 29, the Christian Education Committee will kick off the new Sunday School year by presenting certificates to the younger classes in order to help the kids know which class they'll be in and who their teachers will be. There's a class for everyone -- please join yours on September 5 for the new Sunday School quarter! |
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Book Discussion Group
August Project
On July 18, the Growing Edge #3 Book Discussion Group met to discuss Free Lunch (David Cay Johnston) and decided during August to observe the 50th anniversary of an American classic by reading Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. There is a copy available for loan on the library book cart in the parlor. The group will meet on Sunday evening August 29 at 6 PM at the church to view the 1962 film version of ....Mockingbird starring Gregory Peck. Everyone is invited to join in this evening of fellowship, food, learning, and discussion. |
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Join the Choir this Fall
Choir director Brian Lilly has scheduled the first choir practice of the fall season for Wednesday, September 8, at 7:00 PM. New voices are always welcome! Please consider joining the choir this year -- and invite a friend! |
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IYM Family Camp September 3-6
Join other area Friends at Quaker Haven for fellowship and fun over the Labor Day weekend. Phone 800-292-5238 or check <www.iym.org> for registration details. |
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2010 Garden Updates
The 9th Compassion Garden (along the east and south sides of the church's parking lot) is now producing cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes that are available each Sunday from the table in the annex hallway in exchange for donations towards the $450 annual Compassion International sponsorship of 14 year-old Janet Murekensi in Uganda. As in previous years, Friends with extra garden produce from home have been adding it to the Compassion Garden table. Thanks to all who've contributed so far! The Best Community Garden at the YMCA east of Winchester is producing abundantly. Special thanks to Gary Girton for building a shed at the garden to provide a place to store tools purchased from Best Funds for gardeners' use. The thirteen participating gardeners have been donating a portion of their vegetables to be distributed through the Community Food Pantry or to be sold at Winchester's Saturday farmers market. Recent Saturday sales have generated $40-$70 daily in donations for the Pantry. Thank you for supporting the Community Garden project!  |
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Personal Involvement in Missions
For 2010-11, new "seed money" is now available from Best Trust special projects funds for investment in Shareholders in Shalom efforts that will "grow" it to support a new peace ministry (still to be specified). Shareholders cash and a list of practical project ideas are available from the church office. From now until June 2011, Friends are invited to add your skills and work to $10-$50 of Shareholders "seed money" to multiply it for the cause of shalom. Please start soon!
The Missions & Social Concerns Committee has also renewed Pennies From
Heaven funding for the new church year. Friends are encouraged to take
$10-$20 of Best Trust special projects money to be carried until they are
led by the Lord to give it person-to-person in Jesus' name to a situation of
genuine human need. Please see a Missions & Social Concerns member to get
started.
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USFW Apple Dumpling Workdays
The USFW groups request Friends' help on two upcoming Saturdays for preparing around 2500 apple dumplings for sale at Winchester's Mardi Gras festival October 6-9, 2010. This year's workdays have tentatively been scheduled for September 11 and October 2, starting at 1:00 PM each day. Please mark your calendar and plan to join the fun! |
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12th Friendship Sunday - September 26
The Ministry & Oversight invites everyone to Friendship Sunday and the Fall Picnic on Sunday, September 26, at the Farmland Conservation Club. This year's outdoor worship service theme will be spiritual gifts -- God-given tools for building the Kingdom. The M&O's goal for Friendship Sunday is for every Friend to invite at least one friend (preferably one who currently has no church family) to come "worship in the woods" together. Dress is always casual, the food always good (hosted this year by the William Penn and College & Careers Sunday School classes), the fellowship relaxed and rich, and the surroundings beautiful. Plan to join us on September 26! |
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Foster Parents Recruited
Indiana Department of Child Services is seeking foster homes in this area. Contact Kathy Davis-Brutchen at 584-2811 if you have interest in this opportunity for ministry to children. |
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Missions
& Social Concerns
Updates Reducing Violence in American Culture In late May, the Committee gave $200 of Missions Unspecified money to help an anger-management student group at Union City High School (our Friend Jennifer Hines is their faculty leader) to conduct a Challenge Yourself to Change Day. Group members worked to raise awareness in the student body of the need for civility and nonviolence. The funds provided student-designed t-shirts and covered other event expenses (see photo and note on the annex board). KIVA Microlending The Missions & Social Concerns Committee in late June made its ninth $200 loan (from the original $1000 Best Special Projects grant for poverty alleviation) through the microcredit organization KIVA, this one to a detergent seller near Friends' missions sites in Kenya. The Committee is attempting to lend to individuals who live near FUM's work in Africa, Palestine, Jamaica, Belize, and Cuba. They also hope to be able to lend to people along the US Gulf Coast who have been harmed by the recent oil disaster. To learn about all our partners, go to <www.kiva.org>, click on the "Community" button; then type "Winchester Friends Meeting" in the "Search for a Lending Team" blank; then click on the little photo of our meetinghouse; then click on the "Loans" link above the church photo to display all the groups we've assisted. Click on each photo to learn more. Rummage Sale for FUM Kenya The Committee invites Friends to begin bringing donations of unwanted furniture, kitchen items, electronics, clothing, and other household items to the church attic for September's Rummage Sale for Missions. Phone the office if you need assistance in transporting your donation to the church. |
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Fall
2010 Missions
Focus: FUM Kenya
During the second half of 2010, the Missions & Social Concerns Committee asks Friends to learn about the
missions
efforts we support
in East Africa
through Friends
United Meeting.
FUM's work there is
headquartered at the
Africa
Ministries Office in
Kisumu, on
the northeastern
shores of Lake
Victoria in western
Kenya. John Muhanji
is the Africa
Ministries rep, and
Eden Grace is the
field staffer.
Friends
Theological College
at Kaimosi
began in 1942 and
now trains over 100
students each year
in pastoral ministry
and Christian
leadership. FTC's
current Principal is
FUM field staffer
Ann Riggs. Next
door to FTC is
Kaimosi
Hospital, a
medical facility
that has been
rejuvenated in the
past few years with
the help of FUM
resources. A few
miles farther north,
Friends Lugulu
Hospital's
110 beds serve 6000
in-patients yearly
and is the area's
main provider of
surgery. Since
1970, FUM has worked
with FTC students to
carry out nutrition,
water, education,
and community
development
ministries among the
nomadic
Turkana people
of northwest Kenya.
John Moru currently
leads that effort.
A similar effort
began among the
semi-nomadic
Samburu people
of
north-central Kenya
in 1995, led by FTC
grad Isaiah Bikokwa.
FUM also has teamed
in recent years with
the indigenous
agency
Africa Quaker Vision
(AQUAVIS)
and Friends in
Nairobi to address
the needs of
thousands living in
poverty in the
city's sprawling
slums.
Fall
2010 Missions
Focus: FUM
Kenya - Friends
Theological
College
Friends Theological College (FTC) opened in 1942 to train and equip Kenyan Friends pastors and other leaders for Christian ministry through academic study, personal development, and spiritual growth. It is located on the Kaimosi Mission in western Kenya's Tiriki Division, just a few miles north of Kisumu and Lake Victoria. According to Friends United Meeting's July 2010 Focus flyer, there are now at least 2000 Friends Meetings in Kenya, but relatively few of them have trained pastors. FTC offers certificate, diploma, and degree programs for ministry students, some of whom are recent secondary school graduates, but most of whom are adults with prior pastoral experience. FTC presently has around 85 students enrolled from all of Kenya's Yearly Meetings and from Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. Instruction to that diverse group is in English. After steady progress over the past several years, FTC is nearing Accrediting Council for Theological Education in Africa accreditation as a theological college, an academic achievement that has required "faculty with higher credentials, improved facilities, and an increasingly rigorous curriculum." The recent completion of a new multi-use chapel building and upgraded administration, library, and dormitory facilities has been part of that progress. FTC's most basic certificate program provides training for church leaders and those in active ministry who likely will not pursue further academic studies. A somewhat more extensive certificate program helps prepare students to continue on to the diploma program in theology. An advanced certificate in peacemaking and community development also is available, and beginning in the 2010-2011 academic year, an advanced certificate program also will be offered to train chaplains for schools and hospitals. The four-year bachelor's degree in theology has been offered since 2007. FTC students also are given practical work and training in the school's farm, poultry, and dairy projects while on campus. In mid-2009, Ann Riggs (of Baltimore and North Carolina Yearly Meetings) became interim FTC principal following the service of IYM's Ben and Jodie Richmond. Plans for her 2010 replacement by Lon Fendall of Northwest YM were put on hold by a Fendall family crisis, so Ann remains at FTC for 2010-2011. |
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Please keep the church office updated with your
current address,
phone, email, and birthday and anniversary information. |