The Good News
Zion United Church of Christ
Arendtsville, PennsylvaniaNovember/December2012Page 1
Embodying the Love of God in Word and Action
Reverend Dr. Kim Blocher, Pastor Jay Johnson, Consistory President
Bread Upon The Waters
As you may know, Zion was honored at a recent gathering at HarrisburgAreaCommunity College, Gettysburg Campus. We have made several donations to their scholarship fund. What follows is more or less a text of the remarks I made in a short keynote address.
You may well wonder how it came to be that a pastor of a local church was asked to speak at a community college. Over the last several years our church has been blessed to be able to make contributions to both the scholarship fund and the student emergency fund. We have a special heart for veterans atZion, so we have also participated in the veteran’s scholarship fund administered through the local VFW. We love being able to do this because it is for us a blessing to be able to return a portion of our blessings to others. As church members we are called to have generous hearts, so there is a theological underpinning for us.
But why does a church contribute to a community college? Churches typically give in more traditional avenues like the local soup kitchen, Habitat, or CROP; and we do indeed support such endeavors. But several years ago we began to realize that we were called to help those who were struggling to help themselves, by improving their education and job prospects. It seemed to us giving to HACC had a tremendous multiplier effect for our member’s hard-earned dollars. We invest a little and get back so much more. Students have an opportunity to gain a degree, get a better job, and provide a better life for themselves and their families. And in so doing they increase the quality of community life for us all. As Ecclesiastes 11:1 puts it “Send out your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will get it back.”
And that brings me to the real point of my message. The recognition event is not about highlighting dollars donated. I’m sure all the donors appreciate the attention and it’s nice to be thanked. And certainly it’s great to meet hard-working, worthy students. But we have a higher calling as we come together, that really has nothing to do recipient or donor.
In this room, even as we speak, a rare and precious resource is being formed. It is called social capital. I would briefly like to explain what I mean by that. For those of you whohave taken or who are taking Economics 101, you know the definition of capital. Capital is a factor of production and it can take the form of money, labor, materials, land—all the resources we need to produce wealth in an economic exchange. These factors have to be in balance because a shortage of one will necessitate a re-allocation of another. For instance, if there is a shortage of labor you will need more money to attract labor. So it is all about allocation of scarce resources. Social capital is different, but no less vital to society.
The central notion to social capital is “relationships matter.” The social researcher Robert Putnam defines it as connections among individuals, and the social networks and social good that arise from those connections. Social capital is all the resources linked within those relationships. Among the donors we have business leaders, community leaders, church leaders, and people from all walks of life. We also have present students, teachers, and administration. The combined assets, resources for problem solving, present in and among us, is really very startling. I hope you all are startled by the possibilities present in our social capital.
Communities are most powerful, most healthy, and mostproductive when they exist in a dense web of mutually supportive relationships. Social capital is always in short supply. Researchers would say that there has been a significant decline in participation in civic life and associations. And unlike other forms of capital, you can’t make an increase in something else to compensate for that lack of social capital. It is a unique commodity.
This is a complex topic on which social researchers have written volumes. But we don’t need reams of research to understand the value of us getting to know each other. Together we can tackle problems and magnify resources in ways that we can’t do simply operating in our own individual spheres of influence. A church is just a church. A college is just a college. A bank is just a bank. A student is just a student. A teacher is just a teacher. Until such time as we recognize our mutual interdependence and then we become a community. We must be aware that our fates are linked. Social capital makes an enormous difference in our lives.
In our giving and our receiving we are a web of mutual interdependence, grounded in love of neighbor. We are thankful to be able to play a role in this community endeavor, and grateful for the ways in which we benefit when our community is strengthened through education. The wisdom of scripture tells us “Send out your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will get it back.”
Part of our vision statement says this “through the transforming power of Jesus Christ, we strive to be disciples as we serve our neighbors through civic engagement and by being a moral presence in the community.” Through actions such as our work at HACC, we are fulfilling that vision.
Worship In November, December, And January
Sunday, November 4 / Sunday, December 2 / Sunday, January 6Daylight savings time ends / ►Worship 10:15; Sun Sch 9:00◄ / Epiphany
All Saints Observance / First Sunday of Advent / Communion
Ruth 1: 1-8 / Luke 21: 25-36 / Confirmands join church
Communion / Matthew 2: 1-12
Advent Brunch
Sunday, November 11 / Sunday, January 13
Veterans’ Day / Sunday, December 9 / The Baptism of Christ
Ruth 3: 1-5; 4: 13-17 / Second Sunday of Advent / Luke 3: 15-, 21-22
Trivia Night / Luke 3: 1-6 / Hoffman Homes presentation
Annual Meeting
Sunday, November 18 / Caroling: 3:00 pm / Sunday, January 20
Thanksgiving Sunday / Second Sunday after Epiphany
Harvest Home / Sunday, December 16 / John 2: 1-11
1 Samuel 1: 4-20 / Third Sunday of Advent / Habitat for Humanity Presentation
Luke 3: 7-18
Sunday, November 25 / Sunday, January 27
Christ the King Sunday / Sunday, December 23 / Third Sunday after Epiphany
John 18: 33-37 / Fourth Sunday of Advent / Luke 4: 14-21
Children sing during worship / Luke 1: 39-45, (46-55)
Holiday Bureau Toy collection / Children’s Christmas Pageant
No Sunday School; Christmas social
Monday, December 24
Christmas Eve Service, 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 30
First Sunday after Christmas
Luke 2: 41-52
No Sunday School
Worship: 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School: 10:15 a.m.
Worship is the best way to praise God for all your blessings!
►Worship CDs◄
We are set up to provide CDs of Sunday worship services. Just call the office, and we will mail one to you. Obviously this will benefit our homebound members, but it certainly is for anytime you’ve missed a worship service and would like to catch up.
Looking Ahead. . .
December 9is the date for the annual congregational meeting.
Division Chaplain for the 101st Airborne to speak at our Veteran's Day Observance
Chaplain (LTC) Paul K. Hurley
Chaplain Paul K. Hurley, United States Army, was born on October 23, 1961, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was commissioned 2LT in the Field Artillery after graduating from the United StatesMilitaryAcademy at West Point, NY, on 23 May 1984. Chaplain Hurley completed two assignments as a Field Artillery Officer in Germany and Fort Bragg, NC. Chaplain Hurley began to discern a possible vocation to Roman Catholic Priesthood and resigned his commission in July of 1990.
Chaplain Hurley returned to the Boston area to begin studies and formation for priesthood at St. John’s Seminary in Boston. Chaplain Hurley rejoined the Active Duty Army on 10 October 2000. His first assignment on active duty as a chaplain was Ft. Bragg, NC. After this assignment Chaplain Hurley was assigned to South Korea. After completing his assignment in Korea, Chaplain Hurley was assigned to West Point, NY. While assigned to West Point, Chaplain Hurley deployed to Iraq for a year with the XVIII Airborne Corps Chaplain’s Office. In 2007 Chaplain Hurley returned to FortBragg for an assignment with the Special Operations Command. In 2009 Chaplain Hurley was selected as the Division Chaplain for the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY. This assignment included a year long deployment to Afghanistan. In July 2012 Chaplain Hurley began studies at the ArmyWarCollege, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle,PA.
Chaplain Hurley will be bringing the message during our worship service. Afterwards we will gather for a question-and-answer session with Chaplain Hurley on the role of the chaplain in today's military. Our members are encouraged to invite veterans from the community to be with us for this special event. Veterans will, as always, be recognized for their service during worship.
Zion’s living veterans are as follows:
Michael Althoff / Gary Diveley / John Matthews / Kenneth SellKenneth Baltzley / Carey Ehly / Jay McGlaughlin / Michael Shaffer
Matt Battersby / Wayne Gantz / Gerald Pitzer / Richard Snider
Kim Blocher / Elson Grim / Robert Prosperi / Gregory Sumbury
Purcell Bohrer / Richard Hartman / Richard Radcliff / Harold Tuckey
Tamara Brodbeck / Donald Hartzel / Ernest Rebert / Robert Vines
Paul Claus / Loy Hoke / Neil Rothhaupt / Bill Warren
Jeff Davis / Matthew Leedy / Cynthia Rowett / Andrew Willman
Thomas Deloe
Enrollment
The campus welcomed 2,053 students for the start of classes on August 27, including an octogenarian and a nonagenarian. Alice Fox, 96, and Naomi Logan, 88, are both residents of the Brethren Home Community in New Oxford and enrolled in an American history class through HACC’s 65+ Program. HACC’s 65+ program allows seniors age 65 and older to audit most credit courses for free, if they meet pre-requisites and placement testing requirements. Interested participants must register in person at the HACC campus offering the course no more than five days before the start of a term, and will be accepted on a “seats available” basis.
HACC students connecting to community volunteer opportunities
The HACC Gettysburg Campus recently held its first Campus Speed Volunteer Matching event. The event was modeled after the popular Speed Dating event format which is a formalized matchmaking process or dating system whose purpose is to encourage people to meet a large number of new people in a short amount of time. The Speed Volunteer event was developed to allow students to meet a large number of organizations with volunteer needs in a short amount of time. More than 40 students participated in the event where they rotated every four minutes among non-profit tables to learn about the services provided and volunteer opportunities available. The event was co-sponsored by the United Way of AdamsCountyVolunteerCenter and Lutheran Social Services of South Central PA.
Early CollegeAcademy
The HACC Gettysburg Campus launched a new program this fall in partnership with GettysburgAreaSchool District called Early College Academy (ECA). High school seniors are eligible to take two courses during the fall semester (6 credits) at HACC and receive credit at the high school. As a regular part of their experience, students will also build skills in academic, career and life skills areas. Students will experience college life during the senior year to better prepare them for higher education. They’ll also gain an “academic jump-start” to their first year of college. HACC’s award-winning, student centered faculty, the resources of a first-rate college campus, student life, academic support and enrichment activities will create a senior year student’s won’t soon forget. ECA combines the best of both worlds – a unique college experience combined with the traditional “touchstones” of the senior year - homecoming, prom, friends, all without leaving Gettysburg. Plans are underway at HACC to introduce this program to all AdamsCounty high schools.
HACC Podcasts continue to earn national recognition
e.Republic’s Center for Digital Education has announced the winners of its 2012 Digital Education Achievement Awards and Best of the Web Awards. HACC’s six iTunesU courses won honorable mention for “Design and Development” in the Digital Education Achievement category. The Digital Education Achievement Awards recognize outstanding contributions at the application, intranet and infrastructure level, all to the benefit and quality of online education for students, teachers and the community.
*Shannon Harvey, Dean of Students
∞ ∞ ∞
On Monday, October 15, Zion was recognized for our contribution to HACC’s scholarship fund.
Pastor Kim, Roger and Cindy Bushey attended the presentation.
When Grief Colors The Holidays
How to Manage the Absence of a Loved One – During the Festive Season
A free program offered by The Pastoral Care Department of WellSpan Health
Presented by Rev. Peter Kuhn
Thursday, December 6, 2012, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Community Room A
GettysburgHospital, 147 Gettys Street
Please call: 337-4310 for reservations
Christmas News
Christmas Fund Special Mission Offering. For 109 years, the Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been a means by which members of the United Church of Christ and its predecessor denominations reflect the light of God in the world, individually and in the community. The Christmas Fund is a beacon of light for many who have served, and who continue to serve, our church. This mission offering will be received on December 23. Please give generously.
Hoffman Homes Gift Program. Once again Zion will be assisting the Hoffman Homes gift program by purchasing new, unwrapped gifts for Hoffman Homes. The gifts range from toiletry items/stocking stuffers to gift certificates to CD players. **Remember, no glass or sharp items**. Chris will have the gift tags displayed soon.We have a total of 35 tags. Please return the gifts to the main Sunday School room by 12/2/12. Please let Chris know if you have any questions or would like to help wrap.
Holiday Home Bureau Toys. As it has in previous years, Zion is contributing to the Holiday Home Bureau Toy program. We will be collecting new and gently used (no broken, worn) toys and new hats, gloves, scarves for those 12 and under. In addition, the program is seeking monetary donations to support its food certificate program (they provide $25 food certificates). Please bring the donations to the church no later than 11/25/12. We will bring the items forward during the children's message on that Sunday. Any questions, please ask Shirley or Chris.
Be A Homewood Hero. Homewood Retirement Centers of United Church of Christ will be giving us names of nursing home residents at Plum Creek in Hanover. We will be purchasing Christmas gifts for these residents. Donna Miller will coordinate this mission. A clipboard will be available as soon as the names are received to gather congregational member names who wish to participate. A resident’s name and gift selection will be given to you when it is received.
HomewoodAuxiliary memberships are now available. Bring Your “Merry Heart” And Join The Homewood Auxiliary. Memberships($2) are now available. Auxiliary members are Homewood’s Merry Hearts – working hand-in-hand with the staff to help provide the kind of “medicine” only a friend can give. A clipboard is on the credenza. Be a “good medicine” for Homewood’s health care center residents by giving time, talents, and resources. As an Auxiliary member, you will receive Homewood’s quarterly magazine, The Fireside, which will keep you up-to-date on all the events and programs on the Homewood campuses.
The Christmas Eve Offeringthis year will benefit the Seminary Scholarship Fund to encourage our young people to consider the ministry.
Carolingwill once again happen at Zion. We will leave the church at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 9, and carol for an hour. We will return to the church for hot chocolate and cookies. All ages are welcome.
An Advent Brunch will follow the worship service on Sunday, December 2. Please bring place settings for your family and dishes to share. The December 2 schedule is as follows: Sunday School at 9:00 a.m., worship at 10:00 a.m., and Advent Brunch follows worship.
Our Traditional Christmas Socialwill follow worship on December 23. Homemade cookies, punch, coffee, and fellowship will all be in abundance. If you wish to bring homemade cookies, please sign up on the clipboard at the rear of the sanctuary. See you there for this favorite Zion tradition!
Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsals. This year’s Children’s Christmas Pageant (K-6) will be presented during worship on Sunday, December 23. The December 9 rehearsal will be held from 11:00-11:30 a.m. The December 16 rehearsal will be from 10:15-11:00 a.m. We encourage all of Zion’s children to participate.