Our Community Commons
Brook Park Community Church of the Brethren
S U M M E R 2 0 1 2
Well it is that time of year again, time for annual and district
conferences. This year like years in the past there is some
discourse among the Brethren. There are those who want to
“go back” to the good old days and do everything as it was
done in the past. There are those who like the way it is right
now, and then those who want everything to change.
In some ways our church is shielded from all this because
we are located north of all the action. It is easy for us to just
“do our thing” and not worry about the state of the
conference and district. However, in doing so we are not
living up to our commitment to Christ who calls us to be one
body. We have also learned in the past few years that even
the peaceful Brook Park Community Church of the Brethren
is not immune to some discourse.
It is human nature to want our way and only our way; it is
implanted in us at an early age to fight for what we want.
However, Jesus Christ calls us to not fight for what we want,
but to keep what He has given us.
In Colossians 3:14-16 we are given a command that says,
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all
together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, since as members of one body you were called to
peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly as you teach and admonish one another with all
wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
There isn’t a lot of love when we fight for what we want, but
when we keep God’s commands there is love and peace.
Brothers and Sisters, I ask that you pray for our Conference
and District in these coming months to “put on love”. I also
ask that we as the Church continue to strive to “put on love”
in everything we do. We aren’t always going to agree, but
we can always love and strive for peace.
Blessings,
Pastor Dan
Pastor’s Corner
2
OUR COMMUNITY COMMONS
SUMMER 2012
Witness Commission
Community Meal
Summer is here and Witness Commission is seeing the fruits
of its labor. The community meal on a sunny day in May
was a spirit-filled meal. We partnered with other churches in
the community to prepare and serve the meal. A total of 215
meals were served with the breakdown of 115 eat in meals
and 100 take out meals. Once again there was a piano
player and people singing and enjoying the meal of roast
beef and mashed potatoes with all the fixins. The
next community meal will be in July.
Clothing Giveaway
The clothing give away in June served a total of 263 adults
and children. Doors opened at 9:00 AM and by 9:30 a total
of 166 people had enter the church. Food and drink were
served by the ladies in the church and, don’t forget the donut
holes served by the donut fairy. Next community meal will
be in July.
Fundraising
The fruits of all the fundraising have allowed us to sponsor 8
children this summer. Once again Sierra and I say thank you
for your love and support of our children.
The summer lunch program started June 12 with a
summerfest/waterworks theme with macaroni and cheese
and chicken nuggets and sharks swimming in blue water
(Jell-o). The lunch program has an “Around the World”
theme moving onto the British Isles for the 2nd week. We
served bangers and mashes for week 2, which was England's
Prince William 30th birthday. We had big fun explaining
that bangers (sausage) and mashes (mashed potatoes) is an
English meal. This summer we will go to France, Mexico,
Italy, Asia. Poland, Germany and back to the USA, all in 9
weeks. Our church will be very busy this summer with
outreach programs so come and join the fun.
In Christ,
Mary Rohrl-chairperson, Sierra Swanson, Linda Cronan
Summer Lunch Program
3
OUR COMMUNITY COMMONS
SUMMER 2012
Nurture Commission
The Nurture team has been very busy with
fundraising and preparing for some exciting events.
On April 29
th we had a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
for the Annual and District delegates. Annual
Conference is in St. Louis and District is in
Ashland, Ohio. Our delegates are Mary Ellen
Larkin (annual), Alice Ramser and Jan Skinner
(district). With the help of so many, we wanted to
thank the delegates, the Christian Education
commission who helped in the preparation and
serving and of course we want to thank all of you
that joined us for lunch and donated so abundantly.
We raised $512.12 and then had plate offering
donations of almost $500 that was used to pay for
registration for all three delegates and the remainder
will be used to defray the cost of travel and hotel
accommodations for Mary Ellen. A big “Thank
You” to all!!!
The Nurture team has been working diligently on
exploring and educating everyone on our Brethren
Heritage. On June 17 we began the Brethren
Historical moment, which is read each Sunday
morning by the Deacons, and the Nurture team
provides a handout of each moment as a keepsake.
These historical moments will conclude on
September 23 when we will have our Brethren
Heritage Sunday Service. Plans for this service are
still in the works, so anyone who is being inspired
by the Holy Spirit (or a Nurture commission
member begging you) should contact one of the
Nurture team members to help us plan. It is an
exciting and sure-to-be memorable day for all.
Please join us.
We will be having a Brethren Heritage Field trip to
the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center in Berlin,
Ohio, on September 22. A sign-up sheet is being
distributed each Sunday morning or you can contact
Mike, Cyndi or Josh if you’d like to participate.
We are having a guided tour and the cost is $7.75
per person (paid in advance to secure our spot).
After the tour we’ll be heading over to the Berlin
Farmstead Restaurant for lunch and then we may
amble around to do some shopping. A great time
will be had by all, so sign up now. You don’t want
to miss this exciting event. We’ll be carpooling and
will be leaving the Church parking lot around 9 AM
for the 10:30 AM tour.
Important Dates:
June 17
th through September 2nd - Summer
hours, church begins at 9:30 AM
July 2
nd-9th – Pastor Dan and family will be
on vacation, please contact the Deacons or
Nurture commission with any questions or
needs that you may have during this time
July 8
th – Pastor James Washington will be
providing Sunday’s message
September 9
th – Normal hours resume at
10:30 AM and Cookie Hour resume
September 22
nd – Brethren Heritage Field
Trip
September 23
rd – Brethren Heritage Sunday
Service
We also celebrated Father’s Day with a wonderful
Children Story provided by Pastor James and gifts
from the Nurture team. A big thank you to: Josh,
Mike and Sierra who planned and delivered the
morning events.
A scripture that we’d like to share with you this
month is Philippians 4:8-9
“
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about
such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or
received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it
into practice. And the God of peace will be with
you.”
The Nurture team has much to think about because
you brothers and sisters have shared things that are
true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, things of
excellence and praiseworthy. Thank you again for
all you do and allowing us to serve our Lord and
each of you.
God Bless and see you on Sunday morning.
The 2012 Nurture Commission Team
Mike, Cyndi & Josh
4
OUR COMMUNITY COMMONS
SUMMER 2012
Christian Education
Over the past few months Christian Ed has been
working on finding a Youth Pastor. Not surprisingly,
our Lord already knew our needs and had already
provided. He just didn't tell us. Our new Youth Pastor
is James Washington, and he and his family are already
members. James has already worked in youth
ministries in California and was very successful in his
program there. In fact his ministries
there still exist to
this day. James will be working with the youth
immediately after church and we are extremely excited
about all that he has to offer. We encourage the youth
to participate and hope the parents will encourage the
youth to participate in as many activities as possible.
Although National Youth Conference is still
approximately two years away, fund raising events are
already beginning. The cost 2 years ago was estimated
to be approximately $800.00 so the sooner fund raising
begins the better it will be. Parents, please be aware
that the church board decided at our last board meeting
that scholarships will ONLY BE AWARDED TO
THOSE YOUTHS WHO PARTICIPATE IN
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES! In other words, all
youth may attend NYC, but only the youth who help
raise funds will receive those funds. The youth are
having their first fund raising activity on July 15,
selling bottles of water during and after the City of
Brook Park Home Days Parade. Haley Naig has
graciously agreed to head this first event and will be
contacting the other youth soon. Good Luck Youth!
Also, please remember that activity bags have been
prepared for the children for use during church as
Sunday school teachers have the summer off. There are
crayons, pictures and other activities included in each
bag and each bag is personalized for each child. Please
see Harmony before the service begins if you don't
know where the activity bags are located. Pastor Dan
has set aside special space on his wall or bulletin board
for the children's purchases.
Vacation Bible School this year will begin on July 17
and run through July 20. It will begin at 5:30 with a
meal so bring your kids, drop them off and mom and
dad can go out and have a quiet dinner alone. VBS will
end at 7:30 so the kids can get home and get to bed on
time! VBS helpers are welcome also!
Hope to see everyone at VBS!
Thrivent Helps Fund Lunches
The Southwest Cuyahoga County Chapter of Thrivent
Financial for Lutherans has partnered with Audrey's
Closet in support of the Summer Lunch Program. A
donation of $600 will be made through Thrivent's Care
Abounds in Communities program to assist in the
purchase of food and paper products for the lunches.
Thrivent Financial provides financial support and
other resources for its members to help their
communities and congregations through
fundraisers and service activities, to make a
difference in peoples's lives.
Thank you, Thrivent!
