Shenkel United

Church of Christ

SHARINGS AND CONCERNS

February 2015

SHENKEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

1580 Shenkel Road

Pottstown, PA 19465

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Shenkel United Church of Christ’s “The NEWSLETTER” is a monthly publication prepared, edited, and mailed by the leadership and staff to all members and friends of the church. It communicates news about our life, purpose, and mission as a Church of Jesus Christ. Information related to our partnership as a member of the United Church of Christ and wider church/community out-reach is included on a regular basis. The Church is located at Unionville & Shenkel Roads in North Coventry Township.

February 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

*Sunday Choirs Communion

2 HSCO (Home School Co-op)

3

4

Agape: 7 PM

5

Community Lunch Bunch: 11:30 AM —1:30 PM * Thursday Choirs

6 7

8

*Sunday Choirs

9

HSCO (Home School Co-op)

10

Quilters: 9:30 AM Consistory Meet-ing : 6:30 PM

11

12

* Thursday Choirs

13

Old First Work Camp begins

14

Old First Work Camp continues

15

*Sunday Choirs

Healing Prayers

Pampered Chef Fundraiser: 12:30 in social hall

Work Camp Ends

16

HSCO (Home School Co-op)

17

Mid-Day Dinner Club: Noon at Sunnybrook

18

Ash Wednesday Service: 7 PM

19

Card Making Class: 10 AM * Thursday Choirs

20

21

Cantatas Re-hearsal: 9—11 AM

22

*Sunday Choirs

23

HSCO (Home School Co-op)

24

Quilters: 9:30 AM

25

26

* Thursday Choirs

27

28

* SUNDAY CHOIR SCHEDULE:

Chime Choir: 8:30—9:30 AM Youth Choir: 12-1 PM

* THURSDAY CHOIR SCHEDULE:

Cherub Choir: 6:15—6:45 PM Joyful Noise Choir: 6:45—7:30 PM Chancel Choir: 7:30—9 M

1580 Shenkel Road, Pottstown PA 19465 610.326.3535

Email: shenkelucc@aol.com www.shenkelucc.org

PAGE 3

The Pastor’s Pen

Pastor Bonnie L. Moore

484.524.8280

blmoore@comcast.net

Office Hours:

Tues., Wed., Thurs.

9 AM to 1 PM

CONSISTORY

OFFICERS

President

Lynne Moyer

Vice President

Sandy Peterman

Secretary

Kim Yocom

Treasurer

Ken Bevan

Financial Secretary

Chris Gray

Assistant Financial

Secretaries

Doug Allen

Judy Embriani

Director of

Music Ministry

Kaitlyn Waterson

Organist

Susan Royer

Elders

Sherri Mocarski

Kim Yocom

Chris Gray

Julie Zachesky

Brenda Berriker

Deacons

Lynne Moyer

Ann Hartzell

Sandy Peterman Newsletter Editor: Judy Embriani Assistant Editors: Bill Baseley and Erika Augustine

“…and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”

~ Acts 1:8

I had Walsh with me in Home Depot a couple of weeks ago when a sales associate came

over to pet my pup and to share one of the most heart-felt testimonies I’ve ever heard. His

Lab had died a few months earlier, he told me, and he had been feeling very sad about the

loss. But one day, another customer had come into the store with a puppy, and the pup was

immediately surrounded by a crowd of children, oohing and ahhing and petting the young

pup. “You know,” the sales associate told me, “I know that Jesus loves little children more

than anything – the Bible says that – and seeing how much those little children loved that

puppy made me realize that my dog must be with Jesus.”

I must have looked a bit confused, because he went on: “Yes, lots of people think that dogs

don’t go to heaven, but I know they’re wrong. Jesus knows how much children love dogs,

and Jesus loves children, so surely Jesus would let the dogs come with the children into

heaven! Yes – that made me feel good to realize,” he said as he walked off.

I don’t know what you believe about dogs and heaven, but I do know that on Christmas

Eve we were sent forth to tell the world ”that Jesus Christ is born,” and that doing that -

sharing one’s faith - feels intimidating to many. We may not want to offend or be off-

putting – but if no one shares what they have come to believe is true, how will God’s

peace, hope, joy and love ever spread throughout the world?

What is it that you know in the depth of your soul that has brought you peace or strength or

hope? Who might be just waiting to hear that Good News from you?

Go and tell it - over the hills, at Home Depot, and everywhere - Jesus Christ is born!

Be God’s,

Pastor Bonnie

2/1

NEED SPONSOR

NEED SPONSOR

NEED

SPONSOR

8:30: Carol Pearson

10:45: Kaitlyn

Waterson

8:30: CUL:

Lynne Moyer

10:45: CUL:

Sherri Mocarski

2/8

NEED SPONSOR

NEED SPONSOR

NEED

SPONSOR

8:30: Bill Faust

10:45: Betty Kreiger

8:30: Bill Faust

10:45:

2/15

NEED SPONSOR

NEED SPONSOR

NEED

SPONSOR

8:30: Carol Pearson

10:45: Jenn Hauze

8:30: Ron and

Carol Pearson

10:45: Lexi &

Andrew Foss

2/22

NEED SPONSOR

NEED SPONSOR

NEED

SPONSOR

8:30: Joan

Palubinsky

10:45: Susan Royer

8:30: Ron and

Carol Pearson

10:45:

PAGE 4

Flours” is a collection of pantry items or a

monetary donation of your discretion to the

Cluster. If a cash donation to the Cluster is

made, a wheat arrangement will be placed on

the altar. Food Sculptures are also gladly accepted.

Altar flowers are $30.00 and

bulletin dedications are $6.50.

You can also dedicate a Choir Anthem with a donation of

$30. With ever-increasing costs of choral music, this sponsor-

ship will help stretch our budget and continue to bring quality

music to Shenkel. Dedicate your anthem to someone special,

an event in your life, or just to the fact that you

love music. Thank you for this needed contribu-

tion to Shenkel. Blue envelopes are in the Nar-

thex for your sponsorships.

There are many dates open for sponsorship and

dedication during this and the upcoming months. Please

complete one of the special flower/bulletin/anthem envelopes

below the sign-up chart, enclose your payment, and either

put it in the collection plate or in the Secretary’s box by the

office door. You should sign your name on the chart in the

narthex by the appropriate date after you have completed

your envelope.

Shenkel UCC celebrates the sacrament of Holy

Communion at both services on the first Sunday of

each month. Each time communion is served,

some of the bread and non-alcoholic wine that has

been consecrated at the altar will be saved in a trav-

eling communion kit, ready to go to the homes or

hospital rooms of members who were unable to be

present, and would like to receive the sacrament.

Please let Pastor Bonnie know if you, or someone

you know, would appreciate “distance-communing”

with their Shenkel Church family!

PAGE 5

Healing prayers are offered on the

third Sunday of each

month at both worship

services.

The Prayer Chain list is continu-

ally being updated. Request for

prayers should be placed in the

prayer box in the Narthex, or

get in touch with any member of

the Wholeness Committee. If anyone has a special

prayer request, or is interested in ministering on the

Prayer Chain, please contact Freda Wanner. Prayer

requests will be carried for one month.

HERE AT SHENKEL UCC….

AGAPE

The Agape group continues to meet

on the first Wednesday of each

month at the church in the Agape

room (basement of the church off of

the social hall). The format has been changed a bit from

last year - we added a book study for the first hour of

our meeting (currently looking at "Heaven is for Real")

and the second hour is still a meditation and then shar-

ing our prayer concerns with each other.

We welcome anyone who would like to be part of what

we do so well here at Shenkel - pray for and care for

each other, and continue to learn about our faith and

grow in our faith through our activities.

CALLING ALL YOUTH!

Have you ever wanted to ex-

plore the history of the UCC?

Do you sometimes feel like

your life experience is like no

one else’s?

Would you like to know how

Shenkel actually operates?

Do you have two hours a month to grow spiritually?

Then this opportunity is for you. The Youth Sunday

School program is designed for youth who have aged out

of Sunday School (generally 7th Grade and older) and are

no more than four years out of high school. We will use

the P.R.A.Y. programs “God and Church” and “God and

Life” as a rough guide and curriculum and mix in guests

to speak about Shenkel, the UCC, Christianity and relig-

ion. We will explore together how God works in our lives

and how we can work in the life of the church. We will

talk about how we can take religion into our adult lives.

The class will include prayer, Bible Study, conversation

and music as appropriate. Classes will begin on March 8

and be held on the second and fourth Sundays of each

month during the Sunday School Hour. If you have any

questions or want more information, please call Bill

Faust.

Youth Update! Kaleena Sweinhart, TJ

Augustine, Angela Viti,

Samantha Pennell, Lu-

cas Gray, and Lynne

Moyer had a firsthand experience of the challenges

of homelessness on Saturday, December 6 - Sunday

the 7th when they participated in Love I.N.C’s 2014

“Shack-a-thon” in Birdsboro.

Due to a “Cold Blue” being called, they were moved

into a shelter for the night, only to discover an evic-

tion notice when they returned (cold and wet) from

preparing soup mix for the local food pan-

try. Please speak to any one of them if you would

like to hear what it is like to spend the night in an

unheated building with no electricity!

Shenkel’s Youth Group also enjoyed a rousing game

of Laser Tag at Laser Quest in Reading, appreciated

the hospitality of the Gray family for their annual

Christmas party, and set up luminaries to grace the

entrance to the church on Christmas Eve. Thanks

to everyone who supported them by dedicating lu-

minaries this year.

Watch for upcoming information about Youth Sun-

day.

December/January Consistory Highlights

Received a thank-you from Coventry Food Pantry for our Thanks-

giving offering

Approved a snow plowing contract with Todd Miller

Approved a lease contract for a new copier for the church office

Agreed to send a letter to the Parks and Rec. Board of North Coventry Township expressing sup-

port of the renovations of the Fernbrook Lodge and Oaks Cabin

Appointed Brenda Berriker to fill the vacant Elder seat (Note: Two Deacon slots are still open -

contact anyone on Consistory if you’re interested in learning more!)

Elected officers for 2015: Lynne Moyer, President; Sandy Peterman, Vice-President; Kim Yocom,

Secretary; Ken Bevan, Treasurer; Chris Gray, Financial Secretary.

Complete copies of Consistory Minutes are available from the church office upon request.

ADMINISTRATIVE NEWS…. PAGE 6

RECYCLING REMINDER….

We still accept aluminum cans at

the church for recycling. Please

continue to recycle your plastic

bottles and other recyclables at home.

2014 Financial Summary

DO YOU HAVE NEWS FOR THE

BULLETIN OR THE NEWSLETTER?

Just a reminder that all bulletin announce-

ments should be at the church office by

each Tuesday at noon to be included in

that week’s bulletin. Newsletter articles

must be submitted by the 15th of each

month to be included in the next issue.

SAVE-A-TAPE PROGRAM

This is the easiest way to help our

church financially. Just ask for a

Save-A-Tape card at the customer

service spot at your local Redner’s

store. Show your card at the register

when you check out, then bring your

register tapes to church and deposit

them in the box in the Narthex. These tapes are collected

routinely, presented to the store, and Redner’s donates a

percentage of your total purchase to the church.

Be careful to bring your tapes in regularly instead of sav-

ing them at home, as they do expire if not redeemed

within a certain time period. Also, please return the en-

tire register tape. Redner’s will not accept any register

receipt that has any part of it removed.

Keep up the good work and thank you, Redner’s!

IT’S WINTER!

Sunday worship is never cancelled

due to snow or inclement weather.

If possible, though, please plan to

attend the 10:45 service to give

the snow removal crew time to

clear the parking lot and sidewalks. The choir direc-

tors and Sunday School teachers will contact you if

there is a cancellation of any programs. Of course, you

should always use your judgment as to whether it is

safe enough to drive.

OCWM Actual Receipts: $11, 661 ($661 over

goal of $11,000.)

Current Fund (B.O.B.) Actual receipts: $141,976

(10, 984 below actual expenses for 2014.)

* Complete copies of the 2014 Financial Report are

available at the church office upon request.

SHENKEL LOVES TO GIVE….

REMEMBER

TOO…. The Pottstown Cluster

Food Bank collection at Shenkel is the 1st Sunday of

each month. Please place your items in the large plas-

tic bins in the narthex.

AND...Please bring in your used cell phones and empty

ink cartridges and place them in the box

across from the nursery, or in the box

located on the coat rack shelf across

from the office. The cartridges are recycled to Staples,

and the church receives credits toward the

purchase of office supplies. The used cell

phones are given to the police department

to be distributed to abused women.

Pottstown Cluster News

February 2015

The Cluster welcomes all cash and

food donations between the hours of

8:30 am to 12:00 pm on Monday

through Friday. We are located at 57

North Franklin Street in Pottstown.

Please come to the back door off the

alley. Parking spaces at the rear of the building are reserved

for people dropping off donations.

Pantry:... tomato products (not sauce)

mashed potatoes

stew

rice

stuffing

soup

Please contact Sherrie at 610-970-5995 for more informa-

tion.

Dry Goods is only accepting personal hygiene/

cleaning supply items at this time.

We are not collecting clothing items until further

notice.

Please contact Ashley or Kelli at 610-970-5995 for more

information. Or visit WWW.POTTSTOWNCLUSTER.ORG for

up-to-the minute information.

PAGE 7

Calling all Giant

Shoppers:

How about participating in an

easy ongoing fundraiser with no

extra costs or strings attached?

All you have to do is purchase

gift cards in the amount that

you will spend anyway, and then just go shopping! There

is no additional charge for the cards and you continue to

use your Bonus Card and accumulate points as usual.

Giant then gives us 5% back. It’s that simple!

Contact Chris Gray for cards, available in denominations

of $10, $25, $50 and $100. To assure availability, you

may pre-order cards. Order forms are in the narthex and

may be completed and dropped in the offering plate with

payment (checks payable to Shenkel). Card orders will

be placed through Giant on the 15th and 30th of each

month and typically are available within 2 weeks of order-

ing. Contact Chris with any questions at

cgcal@comcast.net or (610) 970-2793.

February’s Special Offering…. The Special Offering for February will benefit the

Camp and Retreat Scholarship Fund.

This fund will continue to provide opportuni-

ties for our children and youth to be involved

in church camping programs and retreats wher-

ever and whenever available.

Pampered Chef Fundraiser Sunday, February 15, 2015

12:30 p.m. Church Social Hall

You are invited to attend a Pampered Chef Party that will benefit Shenkel UCC. Please come and enjoy seeing many of the products demonstrated as well as some delicious food prepared right be-fore your eyes. Wendy, our consultant will be preparing a wonderful pasta dish and a delectable dessert.

Please come and bring a friend!!

If you are unable to attend the party, you may order something from the catalogue. See Louise or Tootie for a catalogue and order form. Also please call our home 610-385-3716 to inform us if you will be able to attend as we will need to have an estimate so we can cook the proper amount of food.

BULLETIN BOARD….

PAGE 8

Mid-Day Dinner Club

Shenkel's Mid-day Dinner Club meets at

12 noon on the third Tuesday of each

month – and you’re invited to join us!

Our next event will be on Tuesday, Febru-

ary 17th and we will be dining at Sunnybrook.

Mid-day Dinner Club is open to young-at-heart adults of

any age who enjoy eating out and would like to get to

know other Shenkel members a little better. If you are a

“regular” and plan to come, please remember to check

off your name on the plate in the narthex no later than

the Sunday before the lunch so your reservation can be

made on time. If you are a “newbie,” please call the

church office no later than the Thursday before (or just

add your name to the plate on Sunday) if you’re able to

join us!

SHENKEL

QUILTERS

The Shenkel Quilters

will meet in February

on Tuesday, the 10th

and Tuesday, the

24th at 9:30 in the

Church Social Hall. Don't let the cold keep you away!

See you then!

Margie Allen

CARD MAKING CLASS

The card making class meets on the

third Thursday of each month at 10 AM

in our social hall. The cost of the class

is $8.00 which provides each partici-

pant with three beautiful cards.

The next meeting date is Thursday, February 19th at 10

AM. To insure there will be enough materials prepared

for everyone, please call Connie Armbruster at 610-326-

6516 if you plan to attend.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Prayer Shawl Ministry has been at

work behind the scenes, and we thank

June Hartung for her years of dedica-

tion as the point person for this ministry - we have appreci-

ated her time and efforts and beautiful shawls and baby

blankets over the years. As of 2015, this ministry will be

lovingly continued with Joan Palubinsky as it's chair.

There is not a set meeting time for this group - anyone who

can crochet or knit can do these at home and then leave

them at the church in the Agape room (in the basement off

of the social hall) or you can contact Joan Palubinsky at 610

-451-4849 to arrange a pick up. The Agape group then

blesses each one and then they are ready to be given a

home. Recipients have been those who are ill or going

through a rough time, new mothers, (the baby blankets are

given at baptisms) or for someone who just needs to know

they are loved.

We are in need of additional crocheters/knitters, and/or

yarn donations. One of our hopes for 2015 is to bless the

shawls during a church service and at some point have

some available for people attending services to use while at

the church - especially during the winter months!

COMMUNITY LUNCH

BUNCH Thursday, February 5. 2015

COME ONE, COME ALL….

For our February event, we will be entertained by "The Dogs," a barbershop style group of singers from Faulkner Swamp

Church.

Come out for a great lunch, some super entertainment and a

time of fun and fellowship. Your friends and neighbors are

invited too. Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex.

The cost of the event is $6.50, which covers your lunch and the cost of the program.

WHEN: Thursday, February 5, 2015

from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Shenkel UCC’s Fellowship Hall

1580 Shenkel Rd

Pottstown, PA 19465

For more information please call Ruth Klein at 610-326-4520

RAINBOW THEATER BUS TRIP

To all planning to go on the Lunch Bunch trip

to the Rainbow Theater in May to see the

"The Hallelujah Girls", please note that you

must pay for the trip ($63) no later than March 5, 2015.

Payment should be made by check made payable to Sam

Wilson or, if you are paying with cash, put your money in an

envelope marked Rainbow Theater Trip with your name and

phone number on the front. You can bring your payment

with you to Lunch Bunch on February 5, or March 5. The

bus for the trip will leave the parking lot at 10 AM on Thurs-

day, May 7th and will return to the church at approximately

4:30 PM.

Sharing the Love

(again!)

A group from Shenkel will be head-

ing down to Old First UCC in Center

City, Philadelphia for an Urban

Work Camp over Valentine’s week-

end, February 13 – 15.

You can support this group with your contributions

of men’s winter clothing for Old First’s clothing

pantry - they are in particular need of warm socks

and long underwear. We are also looking for some

volunteers to prepare breakfast casseroles or cof-

fee cakes, or to donate fruit, coffee or juice for the

Saturday breakfast we will be serving to 80 home-

less folks. Please contact Pastor Bonnie if you can

help. Thanks!

PAGE 9 MORE INFORMATION….

Ronald McDonald House (Shenkel UCC Sunday School’s Mission Project)

ABOUT THEM It’s something we see every day – children healing because they’re surrounded by their families. And while RMHC may not be able to make the medicine taste better or erase the pain of a much-needed treatment, we can help lessen the burden for nearly nine million families each and every year. Since 1974, our network of local Chapters have been making children happier and healthier by keeping families together – giving them a place to rest and re-fresh. A place that feels like home.

WHAT THEY DO Helping a sick child fight their illness takes a big enough emotional toll on a family. Adding a financial strain can make it all almost too much to bear. RMHC can help address those problems, whether they involve housing that’s

near a hospitalized child, the expense of staying together in another city, or even getting basic medical and dental

care in a vulnerable community.

WHAT WE CAN DO Pop Tab Collection

Collecting pop tabs is a great way to teach kids about helping others and the importance of recycling while raising funds to help children and their families at the same time. Some of our Chapters raise thousands of dol-lars with their pop tab collections – up to $30,000.

From this week through the end of this Sunday School year, the students will be collect-

ing pop tabs so all you have to do is save those tabs off soda cans, Campbells soup cans, etc. (that

you would throw away anyway) and bring them to church to deposit in the large container available in

the narthex. During the month of May, we will be delivering the tabs to the Ronald McDonald House in

Hershey, PA and make a dinner for the families that are staying there. More information with another

way you can help will be sent to you closer to that time.

Thank you for your support in 2014

The Cluster Outreach Center wants to

thank everyone that contributed to our

Annual Holiday Food and Toy Program

and for the donations that we received

during the year in support of our Pro-

grams.

Over 200 families received food boxes that included a

turkey with all the trimmings and shopped for toys do-

nated by individuals, businesses, local worship centers

and Toys-for-Tots. Over 55 families participated in our

Adopt-a-Family Program.

2014 was a busy year of growth for the Outreach Center.

We distributed over 754,000 pounds of food and 13,000

personal care items. We have seen 287 new families over

the course of the year.

The Cluster Outreach Center is grateful for the dedica-

tion we receive year after year from everyone that be-

lieves in our mission.

PAGE 10

STEWARD’S CORNER

Hello Shenkel Family,

I am writing this today, January 18, 2015, and do I have a story to tell you! I know you won’t be read-

ing this until the Newsletter comes out, but you probably will remember this day anyway. The weather

wasn’t fit for people or animals to go outside! It was 20 degrees outside of my house and the roads

were freezing up fast. It was not good to be driving, but it was Sunday and there were 20 brave people

who decided to come to the early service of worship, and some of them were able to get home before the roads became

too slippery.

But Pastor Bonnie was concerned that other members may not realize how dangerous it was becoming to drive on the

icy roads. So phone calls were made to alert people that Sunday School and the late service were canceled, and they

should stay home to avoid the danger of driving on the very icy roads. Most people agreed with that; however, some

people had already left home and were on their way to church. Most of them arrived safely, except for one car getting a

bump in the rump….I mean in the “trunk!”

Now there were 10 people stranded in the social hall because they didn’t dare try to go home for awhile and folks

started to get hungry. (So was I.) Then we realized that Pastor Bonnie had gone home, walking across the icy ground.

Soon she returned with pots and pans filled with food! And 10 hungry people sat down to a delicious luncheon pre-

pared by Pastor Bonnie! I had hoped they’d leave a little for me, but they sang a table grace (that’s a song) and pro-

ceeded to lick the platters clean!

I thought you all should know this story. You have a talented, generous pastor who meets the needs of the

“Flock.” (That means YOU!)

(And that includes ME!)

Thankfully,

Steward

Adult Sunday School

Held each Sunday morning at 9:30

in the social hall.

Feb. 1 - “Youth--Adult Bible Study”

with Cameron Dushanko

Feb. 8 -- “Introduction to Marriage Equal

ity and the Bible — Part 2”

(rescheduled from Jan. 18)

Leader: Pastor Bonnie

Feb. 15 - “Dispelling Foster Care Myths"

Linda & Andrew Foss

Feb. 22 - Video tape - "The Hiding Place"

All are welcome to join us.

GOOD STUFF….

Lent 2015 - A River Journey!

In his book, Falling Upward, Richard

Rohr writes, “You are already in the eter-

nal flow that Christians would call the di-

vine life of the trinity.” This Lent, we will

have an opportunity to journey along and dive into that divine river.

Here are some of the experiences we will have before we reach the

thriving abundance of the flood plain of Easter Sunday:

Ash Wednesday, February 18: Preparing for the Journey - Matthew

6:1-6, 16-21

Repent February 22: “Changed by the River” - Mark 1:9-15

Invite March 1: “Moved by the River” - Mark 8:31-38

Voice March 8: “Challenged by the River” - John 2:13-22

Engage March 15: “Healed by the River” - 2 Kings 5:1-14

Realize March 22 (Easter Cantata): “Carried by the River” -

Jeremiah 31:31-34

No kayak, paddle or special clothing needed - join us!

THE MUSIC MINISTRY AT SHENKEL UCC MOVING FORWARD! Happy February! As we head further into 2015, I wanted to let you know of some of the plans that I have

for the music program at Shenkel—a “sneak peak,” if you will! In addition to all of our regularly sched-

uled ensembles and groups (see below), I am planning an intergenerational choral piece, arranging for a

brass quintet for Easter, and starting work on our Easter Cantata, “Once And For All” (which will be per-

formed on March 22nd!) This New Year has great musical ideas in the works—so stay tuned!

Chancel Choir (adult choir)- Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:00 in the sanctuary

at Shenkel UCC. All are welcome and encouraged to attend! The Chancel Choir sings every week (with a

few exceptions) and leads the Christmas and Easter Cantatas.

Cherub Choir- Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 6:15-

6:45 in the Sanctuary for children in Kindergarten - 2nd grade. The Cherub Choir sings on the second

Sunday of each month.

Joyful Noise Choir- Practices are held on Thursday evenings in the Sanctuary from 6:45-7:30. This en-

semble is open to children in 3rd-5th grade.

Chime Choir- Practices are held on Sunday mornings during the early service from 8:15-9:15 in the So-

cial Room. This ensemble is open to adults and youth who are in 6th grade and older. The Chime Choir

rings every other month, usually on the last Sunday of the month.

Youth Choir- Rehearsals for this ensemble are held on Sunday afternoons from 12:00-1:00 in the Sanc-

tuary at Shenkel UCC for students in 6th-12th grade. The Youth Choir sings on the third Sunday of each

month and also participates in the Christmas and Easter Cantatas.

We are still looking for a few dedicated volunteers to form a “Tech Team.” These folks would be respon-

sible for the set-up and maintenance of any technological needs of the church (i.e. helping to set up the

sound system in the grove for summer services). For more information, please contact Pastor Bonnie or

myself! The summer is still far away, but if this is something that would interest you, let’s get the ball

rolling.

I am looking forward to what 2015 has in store for the music program here at

Shenkel. Thank you all for making me feel so welcomed, appreciated, and ac-

cepted!

In Christ,

Kaitlyn

267-566-6973 or kaitlyn.waterson@gmail.com

FROM THE MUSIC MINISTRY DIRECTOR…. PAGE 11

CHOIRS….MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

We will be rehearsing for our next cantata on Saturdays, January 31st, February

21st and (dress rehearsal) March 21st from 9 to 11:30 AM. Please make every

effort to attend each rehearsal session. Thank you.

Free Love Missions and Coventry Woods Need YOU!

The facilities at Coventry Woods offer endless opportunities for Shenkel and our commu-nity. Particularly with the sale of Mensch Mill, retreats and off-site ministry and fellowship (do any of you remember "Fernbrook Frolics"?!) are exciting possibilities! The letter below was sent by Consistory to express a need for refurbishing Fernbrook and pledging our sup-port through "Free Love Missions", the community outreach program established here at Shenkel a few years ago by Aaron Gray. This is not a plea for money. The money is already

there, but needs to be dedicated to restoration.

You can further support the future use of Coventry Woods by sending individual letters to emphasize the value of dedicating money and manpower to this cause. Letters can be drafted similarly to the one sent by Consistory or better yet, reflect how Fernbrook has im-pacted you personally in the past and your hopes for its future. Additionally, stay tuned for

volunteer opportunities through "Free Love Missions".

December 23, 2014

Jay Erb, Chairman

North Coventry Parks and Recreation

845 South Hanover Street

Pottstown, PA 19465

Dear Jay,

On behalf of Shenkel UCC , I would like to express our interest and enthusiasm in

future use of the facilities at Coventry Woods. Our congregation, and the 169 affili-

ated churches of our wider Penn Southeast Conference are in dire need of accom-

modations for both daily and overnight retreats and programs.

We support your efforts to refurbish the lodge and cabins and eagerly have volun-

teered assistance through our community outreach group, “Free Love Missions”.

We look forward to contributing toward Coventry Woods’ restoration and are ex-

cited about the many opportunities it will provide the community.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Lynne K. Moyer

Consistory President

YOU CAN HELP…. PAGE 12

Dear Shenkel Family,

I wanted to share with you an update on my situation - you are welcome to

disseminate the information with the congregation as you see fit.

As the people who joined for the Skype session with the adult Sunday school

class may remember, I was living in Israel/Palestine on a tourist visa. The

time to renew that visa was at the end of December. I left Israel the week be-

fore Christmas with the intention of returning on December 29th via the Al-

lenby bridge which connects Israel and Jordan.

When I arrived at the Israeli side the immigration agents took me aside for questioning. After searching my

name on Google, they discovered that I was connected to two organizations, the partners of the UCC with whom

I was interning. Several hours of questioning and waiting passed but in the end I was denied entry. I knew this

was a possibility as several other Global Mission Interns before me have also been denied entry under similar

circumstances. The work of non-violence and human rights advocacy poses a threat to the status quo of Israeli

occupation in the Palestinian lands. The Israeli government is hyper-aware of such groups & rejecting foreigners

is a convenient way to dismantle progress of peace-building and human rights.

Two weeks have passed since that initial denial and I have filled that time in conversation with others who have

also been denied entry. I have reached out to both partners with whom I was interning & availed myself of their

legal advice. This time was also spent in close conversation with Peter Makari, the Area Executive of the Middle

East and Europe office at Global Ministries. After reviewing the options, it was deemed unlikely that I'd be per-

mitted to re-enter Israel during this calendar year.

With this option off the table, Global ministries began to consider reassigning me for the duration of my service

term. The result of those discussions is that I am moving to Beirut, Lebanon on Sunday, January 18th, to start

working for the Middle East Council of Churches. While I am deeply disappointed to be banned entry to Israel/

Palestine, this opportunity in Lebanon will be an exciting new adventure. During this waiting period, I have been

grateful for good friends in Jordan who have been gracious and comforting hosts & have assured me that I am

welcome to stay with them whenever I need to in the future.

I look forward to being in touch with the Shenkel community and am always happy to hear from you! Thanks

for your thoughts & prayers - I appreciate the encouragement from afar.

Peace,

Ariel

On Sunday 12/14, when Ariel Royer was in Pal-

estine, Shenkel folks appreciated the opportu-

nity to chat with her about her experiences via

Skype. Ariel is serving as a Global Mission In-

tern in the middle east.

GOD’S PRECIOUS CHILDREN

From Gary and Deborah Winters:

It is with great joy I share with you this long awaited news from Liberia. It is back to school!! Our students will start their school year Monday February 2nd. Thanks be to God!

The number of new cases of Ebola has reduced to the point the government of Liberia feels it is safe to be back in school. Let us all keep our students in prayer for safety and to do well in school.

FROM AROUND THE GLOBE…. PAGE 13

PAGE 14

During the month of

February, Shenkel

will be praying for

these randomly se-

lected members and

friends of our con-

gregation

2/1 Brenda and Randy Berriker

Heather and Duff Helmers

Kim and Steven Bade

Judy and Steve Comishock

Karen Metka and Joe Zogheib

2/8 Cara Bevan

Connie and Sam Armbruster

Ruth Adrien

Americ, Kevin, Myles, Max and

Maggie McCullagh

Jill and Karl Hudick

2/15 Judith Andrien

Lindsay Hoff

Lindsey Martin

Lisa and Barry Yocom

Matt Terrell

2/22 Morgan Scharneck

Susan and Barry Miller

Sharon and John Sabo

Alex Mocarski

Clayton Brewer

SHARING & CARING WITH OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Britnee Sanseverino 02/02

Jesse Painter 02/04

Barry Miller 02/04

Sandra Peterman 02/05

RONALD CHRISTMAN 02/08

Anna Shenk 02/08

Nicole Miller 02/10

Doug Allen 02/11

Georgina Heimbach 02/12

LORI SKULSKI 02/15

RACHEL LLOYD 02/15

Sherri Dushanko 02/17

SETH DAWICKI 02/18

Bill Sanseverino 02/24

EMILY LLOYD 02/25

Gary McDermit 02/26

AMERIC MCCULLAGH 02/26

Isheunesu Chidawu 02/26

Kathy Iezzi 02/27