Youth Challenge: Collection for Joplin

Our youth would like to challenge us with an invitation!  The Spirit of God is moving us to help others.  We are extremely blessed.  Let’s give!  We are gathering items to assist people in their continuing recovery from the devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri.  Please bring what you can to Ivy Chapel UCC at our Church Picnic on Sunday, June 5^th. Pastor Dan will take our gifts to our MMS UCC Conference Annual Gathering on June 10.

Needed items are listed below:

bottled water

ready to eat food (protein bars, beef jerky, individual portioned foods, etc.)

diabetic friendly food

tarps

rope

lawn and garden bags

diabetic supplies (gauze, syringes, etc.) ;

five-gallon buckets;

scouring pads;

sponges;

scrub brushes;

cleaning towels (reusable, like Easy Wipes®);

dry laundry detergent;

liquid concentrated household cleaner;

liquid disinfectant dish soap;

packages of clothespins

clothesline (two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.)

dust masks;

latex gloves (like Playtex®);

work gloves;

heavy-duty trash bags (30-45 gallon)

You can drop off your items starting immediately.  There are designated boxes in our church entryway.

Youth Sunday Reflections

It’s beyond a cliché to say that our children are our future. But if you were at Ivy Chapel for Youth Sunday, you’d definitely be feeling good about the days and years ahead. The Youth of Ivy Chapel led all aspects of worship on May 22. Their interpretations of the Word of God and their reflections on faith were truly inspirational.

Here are a few photos from the worship:

[flickr album=72157626892490080 num=20 size=Thumbnail]

News from Instituto El Rey

We received this letter from our friends, Earl and Sharon Washburn, from Instituto El Rey, a school in Honduras. Ivy Chapel is proud to offer support for Instituto El Rey. Several members of our organization are planning to visit the school this summer to support the good work they do.

Greetings to you from the beautiful Cangrejal River Valley of Honduras! We pray that you all are well and in good health, and that the peace of God that passes understanding fills you to overflowing!

During these days, we need the peace of God! It would seem that the world is full of negatives with all the turmoil going on around us in virtually every nation of the world and the uncertainty that that turmoil brings. The very foundations of nations are being shaken.

God brings to mind two scriptures. The first is found in Romans 8:28, “And we know that God works all things together for good to those who love God and to those who are called according to His purpose”.

The second is found in Proverbs 3:5-6 which is the scripture the Lord gave me at 1:00 am on New Year’s Day 2010, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths”.

So God promises , even during difficult times, that if we acknowledge Him in everything and walk in His purposes, He will work all things together for good!

Here at Instituto El Rey, God continues to move with purpose and power in the lives and hearts of the students and teachers! This year we have 169 students from 14 different villages scattered up and down the Cangrejal River Valley. One of our new 7th grade students begins walking over mountain paths at 4 am in order to reach the bus which arrives shortly after 6 am! By the way, two of our other students who have been getting up at 3:30 in the morning for almost 6 years now, will be graduating! For many of our students to attend IER is not without sacrifice!

What happens here is all about God!

We just completed the 1st quarter of classes, and there were 36 who achieved sobresaliente (A average); But just read this astounding statistic! — 147 out of 169 or 87% had perfect attendance, including 40 out of 44 7th graders!

Each year Sharon is required to hand-carry a list of our new students to the capital, Tegucigalpa. Last week she went to Tegucigalpa for that purpose and has an interesting story to share—

“When I travel to the big city I try to take advantage of the bookstores and visiting with our medical students (our IER graduates) when I finish with the government business. This year I found some exciting books for the school library and some good deals on school supplies. I spent time looking for some tables for the outdoor eating and classroom area. There are so many more products available there than we have in La Ceiba. My highlight was visiting with our medical students. They had told me of a classmate who graduated in 2007 who was in the hospital, but I had lost track of the situation. When I met with the kids they reminded me that Dalia was still in the hospital in grave condition. I said we need to go visit her. As 4 and 5th year medical students they have been doing their clinical rounds and have easy entry into the hospital. I had Melvin and Ana with me, then we met with Levi before going into Dalia’s room. To enter the hospital the kids sandwiched me in between their bodies showing their student medical ID’s–even though it was visiting hours I may have had difficulty entering. This particular public hospital is the last stop for people. They either come here to be cured or to die. I am not sure what I was prepared for or if I was prepared at all. When I passed through the gate the Biblical scene that came to my mind was the Pool at Bethesda-with many people crowded around waiting for the waters to move to be healed. Grey-skinned people in hospital beds and stretchers in the parking lot, on the entrance steps and in the lobby with their families. I just kept following the kids. We opted for the stairs, instead of the crowded elevator up to the 6th floor (even the stairs was crowded). Then to Dalia’s room. I could not recognize her, as she had been in bed for four months and had lost a lot of weight. I immediately made my way around the IV tubing and bent down to her ear. After telling her who I was and why I was there I looked at her face for any sign of emotion or recognition. I gave her the little roses we bought and took her hand. Then I looked up to see my kids–the medical students– and I lost it.–just as I am now. Melvin and Ana were talking to her, trying to encourage her and there was Levi in his lab coat looking at her charts. I was so proud of the IER kids doing their job, feeling her atrophied muscles and making their “diagnosis”. I felt for the medical students having to see one of their own age in such ill health and knowing that this was just the beginning of the career that they felt God had let them to. Meanwhile, I kept working with Dalia’s hand and soon felt her squeeze my thumb. Aha! a little beginning. As we continued to chat she began to squeeze my whole hand with more force. I was pleased when Ana told me that she looked improved and her mother said she had begun to eat a little solid food. We all knew that she needed to begin to use her muscles more than the little visit from the physical therapist. We encouraged her to do the leg exercises that she did with the therapist. I found a little stuffed lamb at the top of her bed and suggested that she could squeeze it and move her arm around whenever she could. To make it a little more fun, I suggested that she name the lamb. She decided to call it “Miss Sharon”. Well, with that I tried to keep my emotions together down the 6 floors and out the gate.

I had been to the medical hospital a few years ago (2007) to check on the transfering of classes from the university in La Ceiba to medical school in Tegucigalpa. On that visit I found a tree growing on a retaining wall. It was an older knarled tree and its roots had broken through the wall that was beside the sidewalk. I thought “ok kids, when you think life and studies are difficult just come and look at the tree for your inspiration”. So I found myself with wet eyes passing up the car to find the tree. I did not have to remind them of the tree. They had remembered. I believe Dalia is on the mend and that our visit encouraged her. Please pray for her, for her mental and physical strength and for her spiritual well-being!

Levi, Melvin and Ana are scholarshipped by some of you that will be reading this letter. Be encouraged and proud of your investment! They are IER graduates!!

Without your faithful support and prayers, IER would not exist and none of this would be possible! Thank you so very much!!

Have a most wonderful Easter as you celebrate our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus.

God bless you. We love you all.

Earl and Sharon Washburn

Administrators, IER

washburnier@yahoo.com

www.ierschool.org

Ivy Chapel welcomes new Minister of Music, Anna DiVesta

Ivy Chapel is proud to welcome Anna DiVesta as our new Minister of Music.

We are thrilled she has joined us and so quickly become a part of the Ivy Chapel family. On March 19, she hand her husband, Aaron, celebrated the baptism of their son, Miller, with our congregation.

From a young age, Anna’s parents recognized her musical ability. She played simple melodies on the family piano from a young age, and started lessons at the age of four. By kindergarten, she was playing for her classes, and she was active in her church music program throughout childhood.

“I had a great piano teacher throughout middle school and high school who enrolled me in competitions and gave me my first performance opportunities outside of church and school,” Anna said.

Anna graduated from Western Illinois University in Macomb, where she studied classical piano, jazz piano and organ.  Anna and her husband (also a musician) met in a music store.

“I’m looking forward to becoming part of the Ivy Chapel family and helping others share their musical talent,” Anna said. “I also look forward to growing with the church, with the music ministry and with my own faith.

The UCC on TV

The United Church of Christ is running a television ad during lent, sharing with the world our message of inclusion. Ivy Chapel is proud to support this effort. In case you didn’t catch the ad on the air, here it is. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

March Recycling Drive… Put it in the bin!

The good folks at Abitibi have offered us a challenge. If we recycle more than we did last March — 3.13 tons — we’ll raise twice the money we normally would. We get $5 per ton under 4 tons, and $15 per ton after that. Think you’ve got some old paper lying around that could help us reach our goal? If so, drop it off in the green bin in the lower lot here at Ivy. All money raised goes to support our youth programs.

Here’s a bit more about our recycling program:

RECYCLE YOUR PAPER—AND YOUR MAGAZINES!

WHAT GOES IN THE BIN?
It may surprise you what does and does not go in the recycling bin.
Here’s a quick list.

YES – put me in the bin!

Newspapers & Inserts, Magazines & Catalogs, Office/School Papers & Mail

NO – STOP, I can’t be recycled here!

Cardboard, food boxes, fiberboard or chip board, no textbooks or hard cover books, no phone books.  Plastic, glass, metals or trash.

However – many of these items MAY be recycled in your curb-side recycling.

Also, remember the blue bin is for aluminum recycling only.

E-mail us for more information about recycling at Ivy Chapel.

UPDATE: Souper Bowl of Caring raises almost $300 for local charities

Thank you to all who donated!

On Sunday, Feb. 16, members of Ivy Chapel’s youths groups stood near the back of the sanctuary holding soup pots, collecting for the Souper Bowl of Caring, a nationwide effort to help the hungry. Ivy’s youth collected $291 in cash, plus some food items, which will be donated to Joint Neighborhood Ministry and Circle of Concern.

Nationwide, the 2011 campaign collected over $8.6 million, with over 10,500 organizations participating.

A brief history of “Souper Bowl of Caring”

MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO, Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group:

“Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat.”

Since that day, more than $71 million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring.  It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest celebration of giving and serving.

Through this mission, young people learn what it’s like to make a positive difference in the world – as they collect food, raise money and volunteer to work in charities that provide shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry and compassion to those in need.

Thank you for being part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with those in need.

Congratulations to the 2011 Elmer Award Winners!

Each year at Ivy Chapel, we celebrate those members who have contributed their time and talents to our church and our mission.

We call these awards “The Elmers.” The name comes from the idea that our members are the glue that hold us together.

The Elmer Awards were awarded during the Annual Meeting, which was held after worship on Jan. 23.

Thank you to outgoing Moderator Jan Wirtz for her hard work putting together (literally) this year’s awards, and to the Senior High Youth Group who provided the day’s lunch.

The 2011 Elmer Award Winners are:

Sew special – Kay Kreder and Julie McAllister– making the Baptism Baby Quilts.

Inspiring Graduates – Alex Glenn and Liz Carr – our seniors who gave the Youth Sunday sermon and were so involved with Ivy before they left for college.

The Guardians of Ivy – Frank and Carol Purviance – they have dedicated many years of service to our God and Ivy.

Thank You Lord for – Ray and Rosalie Bunte, Pat and Carl Winship – jumping into the life and work of Ivy.

Yum Yum Sugar Cookies – Nancy Gerdes and her sister – for baking and helping our youth decorate cookies for many years.

Starry Starry Night -  Bruce, Janet, Alex and Kevin Wilking – for organizing Ivy Star Gazing night to see the beauty God has created.

Thank you – Marsha Medley – her service as our Music Minister and giving Ivy the opportunity to hear her original composition of God Has Blessed America.

How Does Our Garden Grow – with the help of Tara Lowry, Chris Moody, Maggie Olver, Sue, Johanna and Sarah Wilson, Diann Sheahan, Jo Ann Moody and Linda Lowry – for the plantings around the parking lot.

Ivy Elves – Erin Winship and Shannon Farrell – leading Santa’s Workshop.

Ivy Artists and Baby Lovers – Erin and Mike Winship – Creating and organizing the painting of the Nursery mural and the “baby shower”.

Truly Dedicated to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ –Frieda Clark and Linda Lowry – they showed their devotion to do God’s work for Ivy by filling in when we really needed them this summer.

Let’s Perform Then Leave and Perform at Another Venue – Skylar Droege and Gloria Wintrode – they served Ivy then left immediately to serve our community.

Nothing trivial about Trivia Night??? –Fred Olver, Dottie and Ronn Foster – organized a successful Trivia Night with little time to plan.

Ivy Office Assistant’s – Lee Headrick and Evelyn Stecher – thank you for helping in the office when needed.

Chili Mama’s – Debbie Glenn and Sarah Heend – lead our successful Chili Supper.

A Woman of Caring – Marsha Ramey – she is always available to assist the Emmaus people; sit with them, help them find the right pages for the hymns, etc. and for her service to Ivy Chapel U.C.C…

I’ll Do It; I’ll Take Charge – Nelie McNeal – her involvement with our youth and leading our Rummage Sale and Youth Sunday.

‘What If’ we reached out into our Community – Rich Heend (Webmaster), Diane Droege (Flyer Queen), Nancy Litzinger (P.R.)

Amen – Laura Mignerone –Ivy’s child and God’s child with a lot to give. Praise the Lord!!!

Moving Forward – C & M members, Carol Faust, Bruce Wilking, Carolyn Wolff and DFT members,   Jo Ann Moody, Bruce Wilking, Peter LaSalle and Todd Armstrong for faithfully listening to our members and seeking God’s will to guide Ivy through difficult times.

Traveling Elmer’s:

Youth Power – This Little Light of Mine and so much more – our Acolytes – who begin and end our Sunday worship with a smile and joy:  Calvin Heend, Anna Arnold, Morgan Arnold, Natalie Arnold, Mackenzie Duvall, Brook Hilton, Brad Hilton, Nick Wintrode, Gloria Wintrode, Emily Pfau, Michael Pfau, Skylar Droege, Kate McNeal, Sarah Wilson, Tara Lowry, Alicia Carr, and Gavin Tichey (Linda Lowry will be the keeper of this Elmer)

HOG – Carol Purviance, Carolyn Wolff and the Trustees – our long time and faithful decorators at Christmastide.

Ivy Involvement – Council: Jo Ann Moody, Julie McAllister, Don Wolff, Steve Lowry, Sarah Heend, Donnagail Carr, Nancy Gerdes, Debbie Washburn, Frank Purviance, Carol Faust and Linda Lowry and Pastor Dan – faithfully and diligently working for God in unity and keeping Ivy focused on our call through these challenging year, all for the good of God’s work and Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ’s mission.

Whale of a Fellow(s) – they show and live their devotion to God and Ivy on a daily basis with their involvement in JNM, Instituto el Ray, Fellowship, the Fall picnic at Millennium, our garden and grounds, committees, activities and ALL other  aspects of Ivy’s life – Debbie and Russ Washburn

What are Chrismons?

When you visit Ivy Chapel during Advent, you’ll see a large, green tree with beautiful, hand-made white decorations in our Sanctuary. These are Chrismons.

Chrismons are Christmas decorations with traditional Christmas symbols on them, designed to help us remember the real reason for Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ.

The word “Chrismon” is a combination of the word Christ and Monogram, which means “symbol.” The Chrismons at Ivy Chapel are white, as this is the traditional color for Christmas.

Before or after worship this Christmas season, be sure to take a close look at the beautiful tree in the Sanctuary at Ivy Chapel, and take a moment to think about the meaning behind the symbols on the tree.

The youth of the church will be hanging the Chrismons on the tree during worship on Dec. 2, 2012.

And the answer is… Success!

Over 100 people turned out for Trivia night on November 13, bringing in over $2,300 for Ivy Chapel. A portion of the funds will go to one of the community organizations we are proud to support. Thanks to everyone who helped with the event… and thanks to those who brought (tons of) food and their big brains!

Here are just a few photos…

[flickr album=72157625267879413 num=20 size=Thumbnail]

« Previous Page — Next Page »