Mission Statement: We, the members of the United Church of Christ Congregational, Vermilion, strive to love, serve, and grow as we live God’s message in our families, our church, our community and our world, now and forever more.

January 2020

Church Chatter

Upcoming Events: Office Info: United Church of Christ, Congregational 990 State Street Vermilion, OH 44089 vermilionuccc@gmail.com Phone: 967-5212 DNS phone: 967-5230 Hours: M-F, 9-2 p.m. Staff: Rev. Melinda Quellhorst, Pastor

Jennifer Bertoni, Secretary

Jerry Boros, Treasurer

Jim Innes, Fin. Secretary

Shelly Innes, Christian Ed.

Cecily Musser, Director, DNS

Dr. Ted Williams, Music Dir.

Corey Knick, Organist

Inside this issue:

Calendar 2

Moderator’s Letter 3

Pastor’s Post 4

Unity Sunday 5

DNS 6

Stewardship 7

Jan. 5th Good Luck Pot Luck Jan. 19th Christian Unity Sunday Jan. 26th Annual Meeting during worship Feb. 2nd Boy Scout Sunday and Pancake Breakfast Feb. 16th Women’s Sunday Feb. 26th Ash Wednesday

Mark your 2020 calendars for the

Good Luck Pot Luck Sunday January 5, 2020 after

worship.

In order to prepare for enough food, we would like to know your intentions.

Please sign up by December 31st, during the Coffee Hours, to hold your reservation for Roasted pork; Gravy; Mashed potatoes; Sauerkraut

AND Please indicate your pot luck dish.

We will also be taking reservations by phone:

Church Office 967-5212 or Diane 967-4493 before the deadline of December 31st,

Please bring a Pot Luck dish according to your last name in

the alphabet:

A-J: desserts K-O: vegetables (no potatoes) P-Z: salads.

Page 2 Church Chatter

January 2020

January Birthdays

6 Joseph Harrold

7 Bill Lehky

8 Barbara Bedillion

Kim Ickes

10 Julie Wilson

11 Stephen Bertoni

14 Courtney Traut

15 Joe Smith

16 Faye Stahl

19 Cindy Weeks

Gary West

Alexander Latto

21 Michael Peters

24 Julie Strittmather

Joan Miller

27 Fred Rossi

30 Karen Howell

31 Georgianne Tarrant

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Happy New Year!

2 Grace’s Kitchen

6:30 AA

7 pm Boy Scouts

3 12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

4

5 9 am Choir

9 am Missions

10:30 am Worship

12 pm Stephen Min.

6 pm AA

6 6 pm Property

8 pm AA

7

9:15 Yoga

8

12 pm Marmaru

5:30 Girl Scouts

6 pm Bells

7 pm Diaconate

9

6:30 AA

7pm Boy Scouts

10 12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

11

12 9 am Choir

9 am Finance

9:30 H.S. Coffee

10:30 am Worship

12 pm Members at

Large meeting

6 pm AA

13 10 am Lucy Idol

12:30pm Bridge

8pm AA

14

9:15 Yoga

15

1 pm Prayer Grp

5:30 Girl Scouts

6 pm Bells

7 pm Council

16

6:30 AA

7pm Boy Scouts

17

Pantry

12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

18

19 9 am Choir

10:30 am Worship–

Unity Sunday

6 pm AA

20 MLK Day

8pm AA

21 9:15 Yoga

12 pm FMA

Meeting

Rachel Circle

22 5:30 Girl Scouts

6 pm Bells

23

3:45 Member-

ship

6:30 AA

7 pm Boy Scouts

24 12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

25

26

9 am Choir

10:30 am Worship &

Annual Mtg.

6 pm AA

27 10 am Lucy Idol

12:30pm Bridge

8 pm AA

28 9:15 Yoga

29 DNS Conferences

5:30 Girl Scouts

6 pm Bells

30 6:30 AA

7pm Boy Scouts

31 12 –4 pm—

Mildred Early

7pm AA

January Anniversaries

6 Jim & Cathy Weber ‘68

12 Jim & Kim Ickes ‘74

20 Joe & Emily Weeks ‘14

January 2020 Page 3

Musings of the Moderator

Because of You….

What a wonderful year this has been for me to serve as moderator of this church!! Thank you so much to each of you who do so much to fulfill our mission and vision!

Because of You we have served this community of Vermilion through our Mill Manor Nails’ Ministry, Grace’s Kitchen, Salvation Army Christmas gifts and bell ringing, Chalk-It Up, Food Pantry, hosting a Pride Picnic, and in many more ways…

Because of You we have collaborated with community groups by opening our doors to welcome others to use our church spaces for ministries in Scout Programs, AA, Lucy Idol, and Mildred Early, by being part of Vermilion Ministerial Association’s shared services, by participating in the Community Vacation Bible School….

Because of You we have found a way to re-distribute our assets through the selling of Sunset Shores and funding of a new endowment to further our missions…

Because of You we have become an Open and Affirming Church, a way for all to know this is a safe and welcoming place—one where we accept you for who you are and where you are on your spiritual journey…

Because of You and your conversations and diligent efforts, we have welcomed a new pastor and her family to lead us forward…

Because of You we have enjoyed several intergenerational events including bowling, miniature golf and our prayer study during lent.

Because of You our youth have a separate space that is their own, have participated in summer camps, and have grown and learned spiritually through Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, Coffee and Conversation, and leading us in worship.

Because of You our new Gathering Space is open and welcoming to all allowing our sanctuary to be fully welcoming to all and providing a wonderful place to sit and share stories, to learn, and grow together.

Because of You we have adopted the Stewardship Goals of our Time, Talent and Treasure, increasing the number of pledging units and increasing the amount of giving. Our stewardship efforts continue as we continue to use our time and talents to serve others throughout 2020.

Because of You we are better serving the members of our own congregation through our Stephen’s Ministry program, our Women’s Coordinating Committee’s celebrating events of our congregation, our upcoming transportation to church on Sunday, and our Pastor’s excellent skills in visitation.

Because of You we have fulfilled our 2019 goals established at the annual leaders’ retreat last February which included developing our stewardship committee, living the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ through outreach, and faith formation through intergenerational programs which reflect today’s needs for youth and adults.

We have worked together as a church family to accomplish many things in 2019. Sometimes we get bogged down in the details but the big picture is bright and full of God’s love shining Because of You.

A Blessed New Year to all!!! Anne

Page 4 Church Chatter

Star-giving by Ann Weems

What I’d really like to give you for Christmas is a star….

Brilliance in a package,

Something you could keep in your pocket of your jeans or in the

pocket of your being.

Something to take out in times of darkness,

Something that would never stuff out or tarnish,

Something you could hold in your in your hand,

Something for wonderment,

Something for pondering,

Something that would remind you of what Christmas has always meant:

God’s Advent Light into the darkness of this world.

But stars are only God’s for giving,

And I must be content to give you words and wishes and packages without stars.

But I can wish you life

As radiant as the Star

That announced the Christ Child’s coming,

And as filled with awe as the shepherds who stood beneath its light.

And I can pass on to you the love

That has been given to me, ignited countless times by others

Who have knelt in Bethlehem’s light.

Perhaps, if you ask, God will give you a star.

On Jan. 5, 2020, we will gather to celebrate Epiphany, when the Magi follow the star, the

season of light. As we gather to worship, part of the service will be receiving a star gift, a

word written on a star that will guild you through the year. I pray that we will grow in love

and faith and hope this year. That we will live up to justice for all. This year, may God’s

light live and breathe and have hope with in us.

Star- giving… star-hoping…star light shining brightly!

Shalom, Pastor Mindy

From the pastor…

Page 5 January 2020

One of the really good things about being a community is

working together in Christian Unity. On Jan. 19, we will be

participating in a day of Christian Unity services, with pastors

preaching and leading worship in different places. At the UCCC,

at 10:30, The Rev. Sherman Bishop of Trinity Lutheran ELCA

Church will be preaching and presiding at the communion table.

At 9:00 and 10:45 The Rev. Allison Lebrun of Grace United

Methodist Church will be preaching and presiding at the

Communion table at Trinity ELCA church. At 10:00, The Rev.

Melinda Quellhorst of United Church of Christ Congregational,

will be preaching and presiding at the communion table at Grace UMC.

We invite you all to share in this wonderful celebration of Christian Unity.

Join us in a celebration of Christian Unity this January!

Odds ‘n’ Ends

The Annual Meeting of the Vermilion United Church of Christ, Con-

gregational will be held Sunday, January 26th during our worship

service at 10:30 am.

Our Mission Committee gave $500

this December to Blessing House in

Lorain.

The next Grace’s Kitchen opportunity will be Thursday, January

9th. Sign up in the Gathering Space or Fellowship Hall, or call April

at 440-590-2204 if you’d like to help!

Page 6 Church Chatter

We hope you’ve been enjoying “Church Chatter” via electronic delivery these last few months! By delivering the newsletter this way, we are saving 9,600-12,000 sheets of paper per year—that’s about one and a half trees! And that’s not even mentioning the savings in office supplies and stamps! Although we’re happy we are able to bring the newsletter to you in this

format, we understand if some of you find it harder to read and enjoy. We still make a limited printing of the newsletter, which we send out to our church members who are not online. If you would prefer a printed newsletter, you can call the office at any time and ask to be put on our postal delivery list. We appreciate your interest in the news of the church, no matter how you choose to keep yourself informed!

Newsletter News!

Thank You!

Thank you to all who made our Cookie Walk such a success! Volunteering were bakers, a set-up crew, sign-in crew, plating crew, cashiers and weigh station volunteers, hostesses and clean-up crew. A total of 45 members shared their time and talent to make this event happen! And thank you to the buyers of the de-licious holiday cookies and candy! With everyone’s help, a profit of $645.75 was achieved! A special thank you to Mary Ann, Joe and Judy Brizzolara for all of the help! Sunset Shores Committee

DNS had a fun month getting ready for Christmas! We invited our families in for gingerbread day where we dec-orated gingerbread houses and participated in other fun ac-tivities as well. We also had a visit from the Grinch on Grinch Day! Mrs Claus stopped in to read us, "Twas the Night Before Christ-mas" and Pastor Mindy read The Christmas Story to us. We had a lot of fun making gifts for our families and preparing for the season!

DNS Update!

Need a ride to church? Call 440-967-5212!

Lucy Idol has offered us the use of their buses to transport folks to church. All we pay is for fuel!! Is this a deal or what? Now all we need are drivers. No special license is required, but a little training will be needed. We are hoping to assemble a group of volunteers so people can switch off. Please call 967-5212 to have your name added to the list.

The Stewardship team is happy to share a Faith Promise 2020 update with you! As of 12/15 53 pledges have been received totaling over $119,000.00!! We are blessed to have the support of our members so that the church may continue to serve our members, the community and the wider world bringing hope and joy and minis-tries to all. Thank you!!!

Page 7 January 2020

Stewardship Update!

Help us connect with our High School Grads!

We are looking for Contact information for our recent High School

graduates. If you have someone in your family who graduated from

high school in the last few years, please contact the office and let us

know how best to keep in touch!

990 State Street

Vermilion, OH 44089

United Church of Christ Congregational

January Servants of the Church:

Usher Coordinators: Missions Committee

Greeter Coordinator: Judy Brizzolara

Coffee Hour Hosts: Membership

Altar Committee: Jane Dean

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID Vermilion, OH 44089

Permit No. 18

No matter who you are

Or where we are on life’s journey

You are always welcome here. As we journey together we discover…

Love is the key! Love of neighbor, children, and creation.