Lancaster Church of the Brethren is a working, worshiping, learning Christian community, open and

accepting without discrimination or force in matters of belief and practice.

BRETHREN HIGHLIGHTS April 2013

Lancaster Church of the Brethren

Lebanon Valley Alumni Chorale to Perform!

The Starlight Tea Concert Series is very pleased to welcome a much-beloved local choral ensemble to our sanctuary: the Lebanon Valley Alumni Chorale. This fine group, under the direction of Gregg Mauroni, has been an important part of the choral landscape in central Pennsylvania since its founding in 1978. The

concert, titled How Can I Keep From Singing?, will be on Saturday, April 27, at 7:00 pm. Admission is free, with a free-will offer-ing taken.

The Chorale places particular emphasis upon matters of style, vocal artist-ry, and musicianship as it offers the public perfor-mances of compositions from all major historical peri-ods, including a cappella works, as well as those accom-panied by keyboard, instrumental ensembles, and/or chamber orchestra. The Alumni Chorale seeks not simply to entertain or impress its listeners, but rather to provide an engaging moving musical experience. It is to this end that the energy of its membership is dedi-cated. Be sure to attend this stunning concert, and stay afterward for the Starlight Tea, and enjoy some cook-ies and tea while meeting some of the artists! --Emery DeWitt

Vacation Bible School Here is your royal invitation to Kingdom Rock, this year’s Vacation Bible School theme. Mark your calendars to attend each night, June 16-20, from 6:15-8:15. Chil-dren age 3 through grade 5 are invited to hear about God’s amazing love, see it, touch it, sing it, taste it and put it into action! Watch for more information next month about this incredible summer adventure! --Madelynn Riedel

Last Soup & Salad of Season The April 21 Soup and Salad will be our last Youth

Fund Raising Meal until September, because of scheduling conflicts, we will not hold the lunch on May 19. We hope our April guests will consider adding a bit EXTRA to the April lunch donation to help make up for the

missing event. Thanks for making the Youth Soup and Salad Lunch so successful. --Linda Byers

April 21

Youth Sunday Sunday, May 5, the Senior High Youth will be serving in both the 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. services of Morn-ing Psalm. Resources provided by the Church of the Brethren youth/youth adult of-fice will be shared by our youth for this nationwide Youth Sunday to encourage youth participation in worship. We hope you will join us in celebrating the gifts and talents of our youth. --Linda Byers

Calling all Teachers! We invite all those who have interest in teaching Sunday School to the Jr. High (grades 6-8) and/or

Sr. High (grades 9-12) to complete the "Approved Adult" application

and clearance forms. Contact Linda Byers for the necessary documents and if

you have any questions. The group training, required to become an approved adult, will be held May 4 at the Lancaster Brethren in Christ church, Fruitville Pike, from 8:15

a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register to attend with Linda Byers at lancob.youth@comcast.net by April 16. --Linda Byers

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SERVING THIS APRIL GREETERS USHERS

7:40 a.m. 8:40 a.m. 8:40 a.m. 9:50 a.m. 9:50 a.m. 11:15 a.m.

Carol and John Graham Loretta and Burnell Kreider Linda and Ken Harnish Jean and Dave Hosler Shirley and Clyde Wenger Joyce and Rich Bohn

CHAPEL SERVICE 8:00 a.m. Jere Tankesley Terry Hostetter

SANCTUARY SERVICE 10:15 a.m.

CHURCH LIBRARY Staffed Sunday 9:45—10:15 a.m.

Jean Deihm

ACOLYTES VAN INFORMATION

Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4: Week 5:

Drew Smith Jack Smith Andrew Lines Gabby Rodriguez Eric Snyder

Bob Gish - 560-6767

*John Groff Zachary Baughman Rich Bohn

Marvin Harnish Ray Leckrone Ed Riegen

Calvin Wenger Shirley Wenger

DIRECTORY UPDATES Matthew & Linette (Hosler) Prusinowski 814 Cottonwood Dr, Malvern, PA 19355 Todd Forsha (US Postal rate apply) Unit 7300 Box#0995 DPO AP 96521-0995 Ryan Forsha 2266A Market Street San Francisco, CA 94114 Jack & Billie Forsha 3001 Lititz Pike—FC 329 P.O. Box 5093 Lancaster, PA 17606-5093 Mason Byers Skyridge Church of the Brethren 394 South Drake Road Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009-1112 and Camp Brethren Heights (May—August) 9478 Brethren Heights Rd. Rodney, MI 49342

ATTENDANCE February 17—308 February 24—288

March 3—291 March 10—327

INC Sponsors Film Discussion Night INC (LCOB’s Into the Neighborhood Committee) has planned a movie night on Sunday evening, April 14, in the Family Life Center at the Lancaster Church of the Brethren, beginning at 6:45 p.m. The movie “Finding A Family,” based on a true story, will be shown. This is an inspiring story of love and determination against

the odds. Alex Chivescu dreams of at-tending Harvard, but when his single mother becomes unable to care for him, his life changes forever. Placed in a string of foster homes, Alex overcomes each obstacle in his path. Undeterred from his goal, he ultimately finds a new

family to provide the love and guidance for his dreams to become a reality. Popcorn and drinks will be served. Child care will also be available. Please con-tact Jamie Nace at 940-1790 by April 10, if child care is needed. Following the film, Kathy Focht and Kathryn Riegen will lead the group in a discussion. This invitation is extended to all in the neighborhoods surrounding the churches in the Grandview Heights area. Please plan to join us and bring your friends for the showing of this inspiring film. --Kathryn Riegen

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APRIL BIRTHDAYS 2 Matthew Harnish Romaine Lefever Aidain Buckwalter 3 April Curran Kyle Shaffer LaRue Helm 4 John Hagen 5 Jack Smith 6 Suzanne Kline Marissa Nace 8 Warren Evans 10 Alexander Nye Ray Frace 11 Steve Polansky Jenny Dolk Ava Bowser

12 Suzanne Schaudel 13 Blair Breidenstine Pat Young 14 Jillian (Graham) Schmidt April Ditzler Justin Shertzer 16 Mark Harnish 17 Linda Husted 18 Bill McKinney Mackenzie Metzger Clemens Rosenberger Darle Good (wife of Ray Leckrone) 19 Guy Wampler Jay Rhoades

20 Jay Weaver Jon Bridgeman 21 Mary Weaver 22 Christopher Holsinger Esther Hartman Christina S. Miller Joyce Marks 23 Jay Enders Jeff Breidenstine 26 Jack Forsha 27 Shirley Rowe 29 Jere Bridgeman Joshua Kreider 30 Kate Rill

FROM MY CLUTTERED DESK

I am not a reader, so it amazes me that in the past year I have actually read three books by Donald Miller. He

would not currently be considered a very well-known writer. In addition to his several books, he helped to write the screen play titled "Blue Like Jazz" (worth look-ing up on the internet). The book I just completed is about the process of making that film (sort of - but not really), titled A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It is really more about Donald Miller's story, your story, my story, and what our story as Christians should and could be. Donald Miller writes, "People love to have lived a great story, but few people like the work it takes to actually live that story." As I get older I have found that I now regularly read the obituaries in the newspaper. There you find lots of stories (usually the end of the story). Listed are life ac-complishments and family achievements, former places of employment and social associations. Sometimes there are lists of awards and honors or remarks by the writer of favorite times, hobbies or memories. It always gives me pause when the story there is so short. It leaves me wondering about my own legacy and what story will fol-low me. Losing my father and a multitude of relatives before age 14, I think death has never been a morbid or taboo issue for me. It’s just another part to the story. I have often said my sister and I have great family memo-ries of getting together with cousins and aunts and un-cles after funerals to talk and laugh about all the stories shared in our lifetime.

Everyone has the opportunity to live in their own great story. If you are reading this - and still breathing - there is time to continue to write your story. Our faith should take us on an adventure that will fill us and write the legacy we invite others to fol-low. God offers us adventure if we are willing to take the risk. The Bible is there as our guide at every turn if we are willing to seek God's advice (plenty of Proverbs cover this idea) This book helped me to question - am I seeking the "American Dream" as my story or am I living what God dreams for me. There is freedom in casting your care (1 Peter 5:7) and trusting in God's pro-vision (Matt. 6:25-34). When you have faith to take a chance, there is an adventure around the next turn in the road. I believe what God dreams for me is better than any adventure I could imagine and that's the story I want to leave. If you are ready to seek a deeper faith and invest in your story, you may find this book an inspiring "kickstarter" (if you read the book you will understand - or Google "kickstarter" and Donald Miller) Linda Byers Director of Youth Ministries

Linda Byers

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Brethren Highlights April 2013

Join Women’s Fellowship April 6, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center

for a

BREADS and BOWS WORKSHOP

Continental Breakfast 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.

1st Session 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

2nd Session 10:15 – 11:00 a.m.

WORKSHOP 1

Bread Making Made Easy By Bretta Illig

WORKSHOP 2

The Art of Making Bows By Ellen Weaver

There will be a sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area. -- Myrl Geiner

Adopt a Highway Earth Day- "The Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania". We are participating by scheduling our Spring cleanup for Saturday, April 20. We need your help! We meet at the church at 8:30 a.m. and it usually takes about 1½ hours to complete. This is a service project that can be done as a family. Your children must be at least 10 years old to participate. It is recommended you wear long pants and work boots or sneakers. Gloves and vests will be provided. Please join us on April 20. Any questions contact Scott Hufford.

April PMT Energy Tip Landscaping around your house can add beauty, but did you know it also can help you save energy?

The Arbor Day Foundation advises plant-ing deciduous trees on the west and south sides of your home to provide mid-to-late afternoon shade to reduce summer energy use. Planting ever-green trees on the north

side can shield against winter wind and save on heating bills. In summer, trees and shrubbery that shade your air-conditioning unit help keep it cooler and running more efficiently.

Library Corner Grace Goes to Prison, by Melanie G. Snyder is a new addition to our library. Marie Hamilton began visiting prisoners in the Pennsylvania prison system in 1975. She is a quiet and unassuming woman with no

formal education in criminal justice, yet, she is able to develop a program that transforms the lives of prisoners and re-habilitation practices in the prison sys-tem. Her philosophy is based on nonvio-

lence and restorative justice, rooted in love and respect for all. If you are interested in prison ministry, check out this book. We also have “Firelight” a movie about a social worker in a women’s prison who develops a volunteer fire fighting program of rehabilitation. His hope is to change the way the girls see themselves. As they fight to save lives they end up saving their own. We would like to make a correction to our March entry in the newsletter. We Remember it Well was donated by Lin Moyer not authored by. New books added to our Library in March are as follows: An Easter Carol by Cindy Kenney and The Shine

Man, A Christmas Story by Mary Quattlebaum, donated by Susan Adsitt.

Twelve Extraordinary Women by John McArthur Happy Reading, Your Library Committee Chairperson, Deborah Hall

Hygiene Kits to be Assembled The Pathfinders Fellowship Group is organizing another assembly of hygiene kits on Sunday, April 28, after the 10:15 services. We need your help in order to

make this a suc-cess. Your contri-butions make it possible for us to buy the personal

hygiene items needed for the kits at low cost. In addi-tion, if possible please stay for about 45 minutes on April 28 to help assemble the hygiene kits in the rear of the Family Life Center. We plan to put together 600 kits, so we also need financial donations to make this possible. Make your check made out to Lancaster COB and place it in the offering plate. Be sure to indicate hygiene kits on the memo line. Any questions, contact Suzanne Schaudel.

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Brethren Highlights April 2013

BV—Annual Good Samaritan 12th Annual Good Samaritan Banquet on Thursday, May 9, at Middle Creek CoB. The proceeds

from the banquet benefit the Good Samaritan Benevolent Fund, which

covers the cost of services provided to the residents of BV whose financial re-

sources are depleted. The cost to sponsor a table of 8 guests is $800 or $125 per person.

If you are interested in making reservations contact Jim Heck at 581-5656. The deadline for reservations is April 12.

ServSafe Class Would you like to learn basic food safety practices for preparing and serving food? Earn your food han-dler certificate from the foodservice experts, the Na-tional Restaurant Association. If you said yes to one or both these or know of someone who needs to take this class contact Deb Chillas at 299-6843.

Climbers’ The Climbers’ will meet on Sat-urday, April 13, at 7:00 p.m. in rooms 162-163. Arty DanWay will speak on his experience on 9/11. The items for donation to the Food Bank are canned vegetables, pota-toes, and yams. --Darlene Creighton

Children in Worship Beginning in April, the children of LCOB will begin "shadowing" various persons in both the Tradi-tional and Morning Psalm 10:15 a.m. worship services. This is in an effort to give the children some deeper

involvement in worship and to give the wor-shipers a better chance to get to know the chil-dren. We hope to do this several times throughout the year. On April 7, four chil-dren will participate in the Traditional service:

Brooke Smith, age 9, is the daughter of Mark and Jen-nifer Smith; Lauren Shafer, age 10, is the daughter of Mike and Stacey Shafer; Sadie Bowser, age 10, is the daughter of Rich and Laura Bowser; and Aidan Buck-walter, age 8, is the son of John and Donna Buckwal-ter. These children will serve as shadows of an usher, a greeter, the worship leader and the acolyte, respec-tively. Drew Smith, one of our youth, will be playing a prepared piano piece for this service as well. Please welcome these young persons and encourage them as they seek to serve our congregation. --Jamie Nace

When Jesus Blesses. . . RE: Mark 6:30-44—Feeding the 5,000

Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, when discussing the feeding of the 5,000, say that “Jesus does not bring down manna from heaven or turn stones into bread. He takes what is already there, the five loaves and two fishes, and, when it passes through Jesus’s hands, there is more than enough, much more than enough, for everyone present. The point of this story is not multiplication, but distribution. The food already there is enough for all when it passes through the hands of Jesus as the incarnation of divine jus-tice” (The Last Week, page 115). The key word is distribution. The “miracle” is about sharing. When Jesus blessed what they already had, there was more than enough to feed everyone with “twelve baskets” full left over. There is enough food, clothing, shelter, and medi-cine to care for the needs of everyone in God’s won-derful world; it is a matter of distribution. When our ministry of sharing is blessed by Jesus, our seemingly small efforts, when compared with the needs of mil-lions, do far more good than we can imagine. Here are just a few of our loaves and fishes: - 2 Cents a Meal Offerings (next collection April 14) - Food for the LCCC Food Bank - Uniforms and school supplies for 1000 homeless

students in Lancaster city - Mobile Health Clinics in Haiti, raising $100,000 in

three years - Health Kits, sponsored by Pathfinders (next assem-

bling April 28) - Heifer International, helping people to help them-

selves - SERRV (Fair Trade Products), New Windsor Ser-

vice Center The disciples wanted to send the crowd of 5,000 away, but Jesus said “You give them something to eat” (Mk. 6:37). Jesus took their five loaves and two fish, blessed them, broke the five loaves, and gave them to the disciples to feed the people (Mk. 6:41). Borg and Crossan point out the importance of those four verbs (Ibid, page 114). --Hunger and Poverty Group

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Brethren Highlights April 2013

Heifer International Fundraising Lunch

Remember to sign up for the 22nd annual Heifer International Hunger Awareness Luncheon on April 17 at 12 noon in the Wolfe Auditorium at Brethren Village. The speaker will be Ardyth Neill, president of

Heifer Foundation, an international philanthropic foundation estab-lished for the primary purpose of building an endowment to generate ongoing support for the work of

Heifer International. Our church is sponsoring a table. If you would like to attend, please sign up on the Out-reach Ministry Board outside room 162 before April 15. --Outreach Ministry Team

Alpha and Omega Community Center Annual Banquet

Remember to sign up for the Alpha and Ome-ga Community Center annual banquet on Saturday, April 27, at 6 p.m. The banquet will be held this year at the Middle Creek Church of the Brethren, 351 Middle Creek Road Lititz, PA 17543. Come to be inspired and to learn how God is working in Lancaster through the work of the Alpha and Omega Community Center. You will hear about the ongoing work that the Community Center is doing among the Hispanic com-munity in Lancaster City. The Outreach Ministry Team is sponsoring a table of 8. Please sign up on the list outside room 162 before April 15. At the banquet you will have an opportunity to support the ministry through a freewill offering. --Outreach Ministry Team

Camp Swatara News Summer is coming and it’s time to sign up your children for the wonderful activities offered at Camp Swatara. As a great introduction, come to Spring into Swatara/ Open House on Sunday, April 21st and enjoy many fun activities including a campfire, a tour of the camp, and a program in the evening with Chris Ivey, an illusionist. Cost is $4 a person or $10 a family. Sign up at www.campswatara.org or email mhouff@campswatara.org Check out the following programs and feel free to take brochures and papers from the Camp Swatara bulletin board located across from the elevator on the first floor. Remember that our church will pay ½ for all chil-dren’s camps. Get your Good as Gold certificate from Tiffany in the church office. Registration can be done online. April 5-7 Spring Weekend for Grades 1-3 April 12-14 Spring Weekend for Grades 4-6 April 21 Spring into Swatara/Open House- All

ages are invited to see the camp. April 27 – 3000 miles for Peace Bike/hike May 10-12 Spring Bird Watchers Weekend, Union

County May 23 – Deadline for summer camping registra-

tions – after this date, a $25 late fee will be added. June 16 – Summer camps begin Family Camping in the spring through the fall is available for families with tents, pop-ups, 5th wheels and motorhomes or just for the day. Fun activities include a splash pad, swimming pool, miniature golf, playgrounds, fishing, hiking and much more. Reserva-tions can be made by going to the camp home page and clicking on family camp. Questions? Ask Donna Lunger, camp rep, or go to the Camp Swatara website : www.campswatara.org

KidznSnow The Outreach Ministry Team would like to thank everyone that contributed new and gently used Winter Wear towards the KidznSnow project for Lancaster County Council of Churches. There were 31 coats, 15 pairs of snow pants, 4 ba-

by winter suits, 2 pairs of boots, 1 vest, 1 scarf, 14 hats, 1 headband and 18 pairs of gloves/mittens donated. With these donations, we have helped many children stay warm this winter.

In all this, I have given you an ex-ample that by such work we must sup-port the weak, remembering the words

of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 --Ellen S Weaver

Bus to Annual Conference Ken Kreider is again offering Elite coach transpor-

tation to Annual Conference this year (June 28-July 4). As desired, pick-ups will be scheduled from Ephrata, Brethren Village, Lancas-

ter Shopping Center, Elizabethtown, and Carlisle. En route to Charlotte, NC, a visit will be made to CROSS-ROADS, Journey of Faith and Conscience at the Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia. For additional information please call (717-367-7622), email at kreiderk@etown.edu, or write to Ken Kreider, 1300 Bear Creek Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.

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Brethren Highlights April 2013

The Door is Open By Linda Hopple

This is the second in a series of articles featuring Deacons of the Lancaster Church of the Brethren.

If Calvin doesn’t know about it, then it proba-bly did not happen! Yes, we are referring to Calvin Wenger, our Pastor of Caregiving. The man seems to be better acquainted with the many members of the Lancaster Church of the Brethren than most of the rest of us combined. About a month ago, Pastor Cin-dy endeared us with an especially wide smile; she relat-ed that she actually found out about a church member who needed care before Calvin did! That was probably a first! Calvin and Shirley have been long time members of the Lancaster CoB and our congregation is stronger because of it. Shirley, a life-time member, began worshipping at the church on Charlotte Street. Calvin first worshiped as a child at the Conestoga Church of the Brethren, followed by the East Fairview Church. At nine years of age, he and his family began attending the church on Char-lotte Street. With only 28 days of difference in their age, Shirley and Calvin went to the same Sunday school class and attended similar youth activities for many years. Both served terms as President of CoB Youth Fellowship. During this time, Calvin remembers that Shirley had an interest in another fellow in youth fellowship. As time passed, this “other guy” pulled Calvin aside and indi-cated, “It’s over with Shirley and me; the door is open.” All indications are that Calvin conveniently placed his foot in that open door! It was Shirley who became an official member of the Church Board when she was only 20 years of age. She is proud of the fact that she took part in the inter-viewing of John Long to be pastor. Both graduated from McCaskey High School in 1951. Shirley, the youngest with 11 siblings, procured a job in the bookkeeping department at De Walt, a company which produced saws. In the meantime, Cal-vin attended Franklin and Marshall College for two years and then transferred to Palmer College, following his Father in the profession of Chiropractic Medicine. The couple married in 1954 in a service officiated by Shirley’s brother; they began their life together in Davenport, Iowa. While Calvin went to school, Shirley worked in a bank. Upon returning to Pennsylvania, Calvin joined his

father’s practice. Very recently, the Wengers celebrated 75 years of service to the greater Lancaster communi-ty! Shirley and Calvin lived in the pleasant community of Glen Moore Circle for 50 years. It was Shirley who first suggested making a move to Pleasant View Retire-ment Community. “About eight years ago, I entered a cottage at Pleasant View and just loved it,” reminisced Shirley. “I was ready to move then, but Calvin was not,” she continued. “Eight years later we moved into a cottage exactly like the one I first admired.” Three children and eight grandchildren now travel to Pleas-ant View to visit Shirley and Calvin. Their loyalty to the Lancaster Church continues; Shirley serves as greeting coordinator, offering coun-ter, and Assistant Chair of the Deacon Body. Calvin, in addition to being Pastor of Caregiving, works with Rachel Salamh coordinating the Deacon Under Shep-herd Program, and Chairs the Into The Neighborhood Committee. Imagine a couple married nearly sixty years who met as youngsters in Sunday school, began dating as CBYF members, graduated from high school together, married, and spent all but three years of their adult life as a part of the Lancaster Church of the Brethren! OUR GAIN!

Souper Bowl of Caring On Wednesday, February 25, Connor Snyder, Sr. High Youth representative, presented Lancaster Coun-ty Counsel of Churches’ food bank with a check for $1,000 along with 47lb of non-perishable food. The collection of food had been held on February 10 at the Sr. High Soup and Salad meal. Financial donations were col-lected after services on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3. Connor; his dad, Mike Snyder and Linda Byers were given a brief tour of LCCC and were shown the several ministries that take place there. The food bank not only accepts canned goods but also seek donations of fresh foods in season. This was of particular interest to Mike who works in the produce industry. We were also able to see the clothing bank and learned about their "work clothing" program, which provides office appropriate attire for their cli-ents. It was great to learn how our donations support our community in need. The Sr. High Youth are thankful to you for sharing your donations in support of Souper Bowl of Caring. --Linda Byers

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Brethren Highlights April 2013

Hope & Expectations On February 28 I joined Haiti Medical Project volun-teer Dale Minnich, KS and his son Dr. Paul Ullom-Minnich, KS in Ft. Lauderdale on our way next morning to Port au Prince. There, we met Glob-al Mission and Service executive Jay Wittmeyer, also, Global Food Crisis Fund director Jeff Boshart, who came in from the Dominican Re-public. On February 28-March 3 a con-sultation was held in Haiti with lead-ers of the Haitian Brethren (L’Eglise des Freres Haitiens) and the Mission and Service arm of the U.S. Church of the Brethren. The consultation consisted of meetings with the Haitian staff of the project’s mobile clinics, with the National Committee of L’Eglise des Freres Haitiens, a first meeting of a newly established Coor-dinating Committee and a trip to Northern Haiti to explore possible partners for emerging new work. I flew from Baltimore to Ft. Lauderdale on the 27th. Met with Dale and Paul Minnich at the airport. We stayed in a nearby hotel since we left next morning at 6:15AM for Port au Prince. On-site staff member Ilexene Alphonse met us and we drove to the compound of the L’Eglise des Freres Haitiens nearby. The compound consists of a guest house for some 24 people, a church, a house for Ilexene and his wife. An administrative building is being construct-ed to serve as home base for the medical team. Ilexene and his wife are the house parents for the guesthouse. A group of 20 young people from the Midway COB were there for one week pouring concrete and putting up concrete blocks. The walled in compound also seems to serve as a play-ground for youngsters from nearby. A half a mile beyond the compound are three houses the COB has built. I saw many other COB houses during our trip up north. They are all constructed to the same plan and seemed to be the only houses in Haiti which are painted. We went on a trip up north, with a small pick up with king size cab for us five plus four Haitians to visit some other health related NGO’s. Strong support of the project by committed individuals and congregations provided funds to make possible the first year’s service and is resulting in plans to expand the work beginning this year. The number of mobile clinics planned is increasing from 16 per year to 24 per year. Also being explored is the possibility of adding some features to the clinics such as eye care and simple dental service. There is interest in exploring new work to address wid-er issues of community public health. Creating a program to train midwifes. The concern is the high mortality rate experienced by mothers and infants in the birthing process. In the majority of cases childbirth is not attended by a med-ical professional and less than sanitary conditions prevail. The consultation group visited with leaders of Midwives for

Haiti in the city of Hinche in northern Haiti. This agency focuses on this issue. There may be ways that we can part-ner with this ministry, founded by Nadene Brunk COB and other churches from the West Richmond (VA) area. We then went to visite the remote village of Mombin Crochu to meet with representatives of Medical Ambassa-dors, an organization that focuses on training volunteers to lead community development work, often focusing on pub-lic health education. We met a group of about 20 commu-nity volunteers from surrounding communities. They trav-eled (some walking as much as five hours) to share their stories. The Brethren group was interested in the groups approach and in some of the low-tech approaches to house-hold water purification, teaching basic hygiene methods, how to do composting, taking care of sewage, gardening skills and helping them with literacy skills. In none of the villages where volunteers serve were there any occurrences of the recent cholera outbreaks or fatalities. Possible linkag-es with this organization are being explored. Rarely have I encountered a people so vested in their service. So in retrospect, this trip was a good trip. It was exhausting and informative. It opened my eyes to how peo-ple live with their dignity intact. It also stressed the im-portance of our fund drive for Haiti Mobile Clinics. As you know, we have an objective of a minimum of $100,000 within three years. With $24,125 raised already we are on quarter towards our goal. When the volunteers of Medical Ambassadors gave their report, they had a ‘twinkle in their eyes’ as Guy Wampler would say. You can access the church website to see some of the pictures I took during this trip. --Otto Schaudel (Some of above material was gleaned from a report by Dale Minnich.)

Thank You, Church Family David & Linda Byers would like to thank the congregation for all the Birthday cards. And for all the cards, prayers and support as David is recuperating from a foot/leg injury. --------------------------------------------- I would like to thank everyone for your prayers, cards and phone calls during my recent surgery. Also, thank you to Jeff, Cindy and Calvin for their visits and phone calls. Many thanks to all of our church family. --Donna Wilson --------------------------------------------- Dear Church Family, Thank you for your support and prayers as I went on a mission trip to China. It was a wonderful opportunity to understand other cultures and it enabled me to reach out to people of other cultures on F&M’s campus. Thanks, Amy Eldredge (There is brochure on the bulletin board outside the Church Office that tells about the trip Amy was on along with some photos.)

Con’t on page 11

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Brethren Highlights April 2013

ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES April 2013

The following classes are open to everyone. All are invited. Even though these groups are “ongoing,” they are always looking for new members!

9:00 – 9:45 Sunday Mornings

The Chapel Bible Study Group, led by Calvin Wenger and John Snader, meets in the Chapel. They are currently immersed in an intensive study of the New Testament. This month’s focus are the Philemon and the Hebrews. The One Another Class, coordinated by Linda Husted and Jeff Rill, meets in Pastor Rill’s office for a time of fellowship, Bible study, and devotions. Anyone interested in small group Bible study and discussion is encouraged to try this group. For details, contact Linda Husted at clhusted@aol.com. The Thoughtful Life Class, meeting in Rooms 162-163, features stimulating resource persons who lead discus-sions in a variety of topics. Speakers and topics scheduled in April are:

Apr. 7 – Loren Martin will lead a discussion of Composting for Sustainable Farming in the Chesapeake, based on his professional experiences.

April 14 – Allen Hansell and Frank Fox will lead a discussion of What the Lancaster Church of the Brethren will look like in 10-20 years (Part 1). April 21 – Allen Hansell and Frank Fox will lead a discussion of What the Lancaster Church of the Brethren will look like in 10-20 years (Part 2). Apr. 28 – Otto Schaudel will report on his experiences in Haiti with an update on Mobile Health Clinics.

Connections is a casual conversation group meeting in room 200 for coffee and conversation. It is open to any-one interested in connecting with other people on a more personal level. Loosely organized discussions each month are focused as follows: First Sunday: Holiday(s) of the month and their religious background.

Second Sunday: Hot topics within the church. Third Sunday: Game Day. Word games to stimulate thinking and conversation. Fourth Sunday: God at the Movies – our take on a Pastor Shreckhise favorite topic. Fifth Sunday: Guest speakers addressing Brethren Beliefs.

For details, contact Rich Bowser at 201-8734 or rbowser4@yahoo.com.

Con’t “THANK YOU” Thanks to all of you who supported me with prayers, cards, calls, visits and flowers over the time of my recent hos-pital experience and since then. A special thanks to Pastors Wenger and Rill for their visits, prayers and calls. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this wonderful church family.

With loving gratefulness, Jack Bryer --------------------------------------------- We would like to express our sincere thanks to our new church family for all the acts of kindness, care and concern sent our way during Elvin’s recent hospitalization. It was truly heart-warming to know that we were not alone during this stressful time. We are most thankful to be members of such a caring church community. --Elvin & Linda Heck --------------------------------------------- I would like to thank those of you, for your uplifting prayers, cards and calls. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness in thinking of me during my recent surgery and recuperation. It is a comfort knowing that my friends at LCoB are so car-ing.

A special thank you to Pastor Calvin, for not only his continued prayers, phone calls and support but also his dedi-cation in making sure you are contacted on those down days and offering an uplifting prayer, even during a phone call, which makes you know, you have a caring person at LCoB. Blessings, Pat Wolf --------------------------------------------- These past five months have been extremely challenging for me. So if I may borrow these words from Dr. Robert H. Schuller, “Heavenly Father, you've given me the body of Christ, the church, to share life's burdens when the weight of them threatened to overwhelm me. Thank you for this amaz-ing gift!” --Judy Coble --------------------------------------------- Many thanks to all the people who donated homemade candy for the annual Easter Candy Sale at Brethren Village on Friday, March 22. Also, thank you to the volunteers from our church who helped at the sale and those who purchased some Easter candy. --Marilyn Hummel, BV Key Person LCoB

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LANCASTER CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 1601 Sunset Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601-4329 (717)-397-4751 lancob@comcast.net www.lancob.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. US POSTAGE

PAID Permit No. 1226

Lancaster, PA 17604

LANCASTER CHURCH OF

THE BRETHREN

VISION STATEMENT To be and make disciples of Christ for the

transformation of the world.

MISSION STATEMENT To be the heart, hands, feet, voice, and

mind of Christ locally and globally.

GOALS

Radical Hospitality Passionate Worship

Intentional Faith Development Risk-Taking Mission and Service

Extravagant Generosity

(Adopted by the Lancaster Church of the Brethren, 10/07)

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Mon - Thur 8:00am—4:00pm Friday 8:00am—1:00pm

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

8:00 a.m. Chapel 9:00 a.m. Family Life Center 10:15 a.m. Family Life Center 10:15 a.m. Sanctuary 10:15 a.m. Maranatha

WORSHIP FOR CHILDREN

10:15 a.m. Praise Kidz (Age 4—3rd grade)

10:15 a.m. S.A.L.T. (4th—6th grade)

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00a.m. Children & Adults

Our Staff

Jeffrey B. Rill Senior Pastor

Cindy E. L. Lattimer Associate Pastor

J. Calvin Wenger Pastor of Caregiving

Emery A. DeWitt Director of Music Margaret Marsch

Jeanne Heck Organists

Jamie Nace

Director of Children’s Music Director of Children’s Ministry

Linda Byers Director of Youth Ministries

Carole Deck Director of Performing Arts

Tiffany L. Dickel Church Administrator

Newsletter Editor Linda Harnish

Secretary

The deadline for every issue is the 15th of the previous month.