"Making disciples of Jesus who transform the world."

April 2016

The Great Hunt

The Great Easter Egg Hunt was enjoyed by a large

number of Greene Street families, including many of

our friends who attend the preschool and daycare!

Approximately one hundred people enjoyed a meal

together, provided by the Children’s Ministry Team,

and even more participated in the activities which

included some singing and praise time, the hunt for

lots of eggs, and a search for knowledge of the sacred

meaning of Easter. Christ’s love was experienced

through fellowship, laughter, and lots of fun! We are

so grateful for the help of countless individuals who

lovingly put candy into hundreds of plastic eggs,

brought food, served and cleaned up the meal and

donated an abundance of candy!

2016

Volume 62

Issue 4

415 W. Greene St.

Piqua, Ohio 45356

(937) 773-5313

Fax (937) 773-5397

office@greenestreetumc.org

www.greenestreetumc.org

Rev. Kenneth A. Stewart

In this

Issue

Pastor’s

Letter

Ministries for

Children

TEEM Mission

Trip

Because We are

Family

Calendar

Bob Evans Day

Staffing for the Present and Future

I am pleased to announce the posting of a new employment opportunity for a

Ministry Assistant.

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), along with the approval of the

Administrative Board, has unanimously voted to approve this position so we may

better accomplish our mission. Both respective committees have prayed and

discussed this position for nearly two years as part of an overall strategy and

long-range plan. Our continued growth, along with your continued faithfulness and

generosity, is allowing this position to become a reality so we can take our

mission and ministry to the next level and reach our city with the good news of

Jesus.

Specific responsibilities the Ministry Assistant will primarily oversee include:

(1) TEEM student ministry, managing volunteer leaders and planning and structuring

gathering times, activities and events that will minister to students both inside

and outside the church; (2) Worship, assisting me in the planning and coordination

of Sunday morning gatherings, providing ministerial coverage when I am away, and

helping facilitate meaningful worship experiences for all ages; and (3) Outreach,

by working alongside all staff and volunteers to ensure we are connecting and

engaging the 85% of people in our city who do not have a church home.

As I have been involved in the community and school system, I have not yet

identified a ministry doing an effective job of connecting with unreached

students. Many churches are either too small to devote the necessary time and

attention required in this area, or more internally focused on the students

already connected rather than looking outward to those who aren’t involved. The

mission field is enormous in this regard, and we feel a strong calling from God to

respond accordingly.

The position is full-time, which will enable the candidate to solely focus on the

task at hand. The candidate will be accountable to me and the SPRC, and we are

requiring the following qualifications: (1) a High School Diploma (or GED

equivalent); (2) a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher

learning; and (3) some measure of ministerial training, along with two or more

years of work experience. As you can see, we are looking for someone who can hit

the ground running. In partnership with the Finance Team, Sherry Heath, our

Treasurer, has given her approval to the compensation package we are offering.

On a personal level, this position will alleviate much of the added

responsibilities I have carried, and allow me to focus on the primary tasks to

which I am called (as outlined in The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist

Church, ¶340). It will provide a trusted backup for times when I am away from the

office, and give me additional peace of mind during my days off. It will allow me

to maintain a healthier and more productive lifestyle as I better balance the

needs of ministry with personal and family obligations. Most of all, this person

will help us all better minister to those already – and not yet – connected to

Greene Street, which excites me to no end!

For a complete Job Description, or to pick up an application, contact the church

office by phone (937.773.5313) or email (office@greenestreetumc.org). We will be

accepting applicants through April 15, 2016 and interviewing candidates shortly

thereafter. We hope to introduce the hired candidate to you sometime in May.

Please pray for the hiring process, from the interview team to the candidates,

that we may be led by the power of God’s Spirit to the right person for the job.

The stakes are high, and we are privileged to take this step of faith with you as

we pursue the most important work in the world, making disciples of Jesus who

transform the world. Thank you for your partnership every step of the way! These

are exciting times, and we are extraordinarily blessed to share them together.

Together with you in Christ,

Rev. Kenneth A. Stewart

Ministry Opportunities

From the Pantry

The blessings continue as

we offer thanks to the

following:

1. American Legion for

their donation of $500.00.

2. TEEM for painting and

sprucing up the Food

Pantry. It looks

fabulous!

3. Volunteers who donate

their time each week to

work at the Pantry.

2016 Totals to Date: 286;

31 New clients

Pantry needs: Breakfast

items and Cereal! Cereal!

Cereal!

Boy Scout Food Drive: The

Boy Scouts are once again

donating the items they collect from their food

drive on March 19th to our Food Pantry. We are

blessed each year to receive this donation and

your participation helps stock our pantry

shelves.

The Food and Hunger Team wishes you a blessed

Easter season.

Women’s Well

Please join us at 6:30 on

Thursday April 14 for Women's

Well. We will be enjoying a

night of Fun, Fellowship, and

Service Projects here at our

church. These will benefit

both the food pantry and our

own congregation. If you are

unable to attend, but would

like to make a contribution

toward our projects please

contact Tanya Stewart or Kara

Hare.

Women and Girls of All Ages

are Welcome! Hope to see you

there!

Please contact the church

office by phone, email or

attendance pad if you would

like to be added to our list

of nursery volunteers

From the Director’s Desk:

1 John 4:19 – We love because he first loved us.

Help us spread the love! Each new day promises to bring new

adventures! We have made some new changes this year in our

Preschool programs, changing some days and times of our current

programs. Our preschool reaches out to the families of Piqua to

provide a safe and loving environment in which the children can

learn and grow. Currently we are registering for our 2016/17

school year. If anyone you know is looking for the perfect

place to send their child to preschool, please have them stop by, call in,

or check out the website. Help us pray for a successful registration.

Looking ahead I will share our Graduation plans in the May newletter.

Ministries for Children

From Barb Hudson:

Activities for children, during the

Unveiled Worship Gatherings in

April, will include a children’s

message on April 10th

and 24th, and

ringing of bells on April 17th

.

Every Sunday, children are excused

before the sermon for Kidz Worship,

and may attend one of two classes:

children age five through Second

Grade meet in the ABC room off the

corner of the Narthex, and students

in 3rd

through 6th

grade meet upstairs

off the balcony in room 24. This

month we will study the appearances

of Jesus to his disciples after the

Resurrection.

The memory verse for April is “Happy

are those who don’t see and yet

believe.” (John 20:29) Any child

who learns the verse and recites it

for Ms. Barb on Sunday mornings will

earn a small prize!

Thank you to all the families who

attended this year’s Wednesday Night

Alive! Programming will resume soon

after school begins, in September,

as we begin preparation for our

annual Christmas Musical!

Thank you to the following

volunteers who so lovingly spend

time with our children on Sunday

mornings teaching Kidz Worship:

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Vacation Bible

School is scheduled for Monday, July

11 through Friday, July 15!

If you are interested in helping, or

would like to order VBS t-shirts,

see Jenny Sweetman or call the

church office. April 12, 6 p.m.

will be or next planning meeting

where we will discuss decorating.

All are welcome! Thank you!

Helpers are needed each night. Sign

up with Jenny Sweetman 773-5313 or

jennifer@greenestreetumc.org

April 3 Lindsay Lambert Barb Hudson

April 10 Liz DuBois Theresa McMillan

April 17 Emily Shawler Laura Jackson

April 24 Amberly Tauber Jennifer Everett

TEEM Mission Trip Fundraising

A Dream, a Vision, and a Plan

I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update about some of the

things I’m thinking about and doing alongside you in ministry. First, I was

overwhelmingly humbled by the 367 people who gathered to celebrate the

resurrection of Jesus March 27. I am humbled every day I have the opportunity

to serve alongside the people I love most, which includes each of you. It is

a privilege and pleasure to minister in a place where the grace and hope of

God abounds; where people who have had little to no previous church

connection can find a the warmth of God’s love in tangible ways.

Not long after Tanya and I began serving at Greene Street, she had a dream

I’ve never forgotten. The dream was a retelling of the story of what happened

in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2-3), only in reverse. Prior to the

disobedience of Adam and Eve, the Garden was pristine, without weeds,

beautiful and in full bloom. Unfortunately, human sin caused harm not only to

humanity and every generation thereafter, but to all of creation. The broken

relationship humanity once enjoyed with God and the land was broken and in

desperate need of rescue.

Tanya’s dream began in a garden which had been neglected for years. What once

was full of vibrant color and sensational smells was now supplanted by thorns

and thistles. There was chaos. Weeds spread throughout the remnant of this

garden-turned-wasteland. There was a small trickle of water in the midst of

the garden which helped sustain what little life remained, but nothing

indicated the presence of nurture and care of any kind.

Interestingly, the deeper one walked into this garden, following the slow,

tiny trickle of water back to its source, the more beautiful the garden

became. Life began emerging. The weeds and thistles and overgrowth of

unwelcomed vines and shrubs began clearing. The trickle soon opened to a

brook, which gave way to a creek, which flowed from a larger river. Bright,

beautiful azaleas draped the river bank. Cherry blossoms bloomed overhead.

The sounds of the gentle, flowing water with its many lily pads gave the

traveler a sense of peace and familiarity in this newfound place. The river

was sourced by an amazingly-beautiful waterfall. Eden was being restored.

In many ways, this dream has not only served as a vision for our work at

Greene Street, but also as a metaphor of what Jesus has done for us all. By

taking the thistles and thorns of our sin upon his shoulders, he’s given us

the hope of restoration and renewal. In every facet, the work of Jesus is

peeling back the effects of sin in our world, giving us the hope of

experiencing life as it was intended by God in the first place. The good work

of Jesus reverses the sinful work of Adam and Eve.

I pray Greene Street is a place where we not only see a vision of what God

has intended for us and for his world, but that we experience it more and

more. I pray we not only see small previews of the Kingdom, but that we’re

around long enough to see the full feature of God’s love and justice on

display for all to see. All of our plans thus far – whether in the hiring of

staff, planning for building improvements, strategizing for a possible

capital campaign, developing greater ministries to children, teens, and

launching disciple groups – we pray it brings us closer to the Garden as it

was meant to be experienced, in the fullness of its grandeur, beauty and

splendor that could only come from the Creator himself. Thanks for partnering

with us as we make disciples of Jesus who transform the world!

Together with you in Christ,

Rev. Kenneth A. Stewart

Thank You

Dear Greene Street Family

and Grandma Clark,

Receiving this care package

came as a very happy

surprise to me. I was not

expecting this at all but

it definitely put a smile

to my face once I opened it

(and every time I eat

something from it), so I

thank you very much for

sending all this to me.

I attend school at the

University of Cincinnati,

where I major in mechanical

engineering. My short term

plans are co-oping while I

am in college. This summer

I will be working at

Midmark Corporation as an

engineering intern. I hope

in the future that I can

travel often in order to

see the world, and I help

to work somewhere where I

can really make an impact

on other people’s live.

I really enjoyed the

homemade cookies – I was

really surprised to find

them in there! I also love

the picture you gave me

quoting Isaiah; I even have

it hanging up in my dorm

room right now (I love the

quote on it). I really am

enjoying everything in the

box and having the

realization that so many

people care.

Thank you again for

everything!

Christopher Locktefeld

Dear Greene Street Family,

Thank you so much for my

care package. It came right

after a very long and

stressful week, and was

such a welcome surprise. It

was a great feeling and a

nice reminder of home. All

of the treats were so

great! I’m in my second

semester at the University

of Kentucky and I am loving

every minute. I am a

marketing major on the pre-

dental track. My goal is to

open my own practice once I

get done with all my

schooling. Again, I want to

personally thank everyone

who has helped with my box

and who has sent prayers

and love my way.

Reganne Tate

Greene Street United

Methodist Church,

I apologize this letter is

so late – my workload in

college has never kept me

as busy as it is now. I go

into every semester

thinking things can’t get

harder. And every semester

it does! But it was

especially rough in the

middle of February when I

received the box of snacks

and happiness your sent and

it was a blessing! It made

me realize the support I

have (even from those I do

not know) and reminded me

of the love of God. It

definitely helped me out

through a rough patch and I

really appreciate that.

I’m a sophomore majoring in

Mechanical Engineering. I’m

also minoring in

Humanitarian Engineering. I

went to Ghana over

Christmas Break for two

weeks to work on solar

panels and create a bicycle

powered cell phone charger.

It was an incredible trip.

I was amazed at the strong

fundamental values that

people there have –

religion is truly the

center of society there.

Although I’m in

engineering, I’m actually

looking into different

opportunities in education

or possibly ministries.

These paths just seem to

have so much more meaning

to me. I think they would

provide me with far more

ways to serve the Lord.

I’ve been blessed here at

Ohio State with a strong

faith community. I’ve

really gotten involved with

St. Paul’s Outreach, a

Catholic organization

through the Newman Center

here in Columbus. Being

able to run with so many

men and women that are so

passionate about the Lord

and becoming loving

Christians has been

inspiring to me. I’ve

gotten involved in a youth

ministry class, helping

kids grades 1-3 learn to

love the Lord. I’m also

involved in a Bible study

and other various

activities. I actually just

returned from a retreat

this past weekend that

really changed my life.

I’ve learned that if you

put your Trust in the Lord,

allow Him to love you, and

be open to his plan, the

opportunities are endless.

I think Jeremiah 29 : 11-13

speaks this perfectly,

telling us that if we trust

the lord, he will save us

from our sin and brokenness

and give us a “future full

of hope.”

One story I’ve really been

focusing on is in the

Gospel of John. After

preaching, there were 5,000

hungry men (not to count

the women and children).

The disciples had a problem

– it would take over half a

year’s wages to give each

of the people only a

little. However, a young

boy, seemingly

insignificant in the crowd,

had two fish and five

loaves of bread. He gave

Jesus what he had, trusted

in Him, and Jesus fed

thousands that day. I don’t

know what plan God has for

me, but I’ve resolved to

give Him what little I have

– to give him my “Five

loaves and two fish” and

allow him to feed

thousands.

When reflecting on these

stories and ambitions of

mine, it can be very

frustrating being in

college. When it seems

you’re constantly in

classes or doing homework,

it sometimes makes every

going on in life seem

monotonous and pointless.

Small acts of kindness and

faith, such as receiving

box full of treats from

people I do not even know,

remind me of God’ love. It

gives me the drive to carry

on and keep fighting.

Little gifts like this

remind me how much we have

to fight for. So thank you

for what may have seemed

like a small act, but

turned out to be much more.

I really appreciate it, and

will definitely keep you

all in my prayers.

God Bless,

Jason Brunswick

Because We Are Family

Hospitalized Since Last

Month: Rita Ash

Greene Street Church

Family -Ben Hiser, Joyce

Ellerman, Brenda Rice,

Linda Harbison, Al

Erbes, Bea Jones, Debbie

Blue

Friends and Family of

Greene Street- Carol and

Mike Jess(Stilwell),

Carol Wick (Harbison),

Maggie Campbell

(Mullikin), Bruce

Marshall (Hardman),

Donna Crist, John

Rimmer, Jim & Jackie

(Ash), Chris Green

(Heater), Linda Davis

and grandson (Hiser),

Margaret Collins, Tammy

Havenar, William Bryiant

(Gaier), Raeleigh

McCartha and parents

(Lusk), Piqua Compassion

Network’s new “Getting

Ahead

Class” (community), Joe

Martin (Frazier), David

Shellenberg

(Shellenberg), Scott

Madison (Vosler), Ron

Cooper, Lynne Butt

(Ellerman)

Military - Ron Cooper,

Jed Cooper, Andy Pearson

(Carter), Brian Pummill,

Dasch Underwood, Clark

Cripe (Elliott), Joseph

Sherman (Shellenberg),

Brent Efaw (Frazier),

Ben Datu (Mullikin),

Kris Palsgrove (Ash),

Devon Parshall

(Parshall), James Riley

(Gaier)

Care Facilities -Piqua

Manor: Dick Callison,

Rita Ash, Jane

Flitcraft; Caldwell

House: Virginia Gross;

Garbry Ridge: Barbara

Minton, Jim Whetstone;

Spring Meade: Martha

Fraley; Lincoln Park

Manor: Margie Trimmer;

Dorothy Love: Ruth

Brush, Gladys Mullen

OUR SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED

TO:

Scott, Renee, Brant,

Landon, Avery, Pat

Helman and family upon

the death of Noah

Helman on January 29,

2016.

family and friends of

John Phillips, who

passed away on Friday,

February 5, 2016.

family and friends of

Joanne Kress, who

passed away on

Saturday, February 6,

2016.

CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED

TO:

Josh and Abby Silvers

with the birth of

their son, Nolan

Pierce Silvers, on

Thursday, November 12.

He is welcomed by big

brother Blakelee and

grandparents Rick and

Terry Fry.

Birthdays

1 Barbara Hudson

2 Alyssa Davenport

Reganne Tate

3 Shirley Sanders

7 Amy Sweetman

8 Myrna Cantrell

9 Jerry Fogt

Marcy Thomas

10 Spencer Lavey

11 Donna DeBrosse

Isaac Hale

Michelle Taylor

12 Carol Hogston

Jacki Lillicrap

16 Chuck DeBrosse

Roxie Roberts

18 Austin Kline

Elijah Stewart

19 Austin Agee

20 Tom Hudson

Carson Smith

21 Jane Caslow

22 Jennifer Sweetman

Larry Underwood

23 Rachel Apple

Reece Tate

24 Debbie Blue

25 Sandra Christy

Caroline Elsass-Smith

Ron Yount

27 Ron Cooper

Ruthanne Ruffner

28 Katie Hale

Dorie Perry

29 Doug Lillicrap

30 Chuck Asher

“Thank You’s” to Greene

Street family and Pastor

Kenneth:

-I really appreciate all

Pastor Kenneth has done with

his presence and prayers of

encouragement before and

after my surgery.

Bea Jones

-Thank you for the cards and

your prayers and more.

Debbie Blue

Anniversaries

3 Joshua & Holly Trombley

7 Mike & Donna DeBrosse

16 Jill & David Weimer

17 Aaron & Jennifer Beaver

Ron & Robyn Cooper

21 Steve & Debbie Frazier

Bruce & Carol Hogston

22 Scott & Suzy Phillips

23 Elizabeth & Tim DuBois

26 Larry & Shirley Grabo

Dear Pastor Stewart and

the Greene Street United

Methodist Chruch,

On behalf of Shiloh MBC

of Flint, we would like

to thank you for your

generous gift of water

and supplies. Your

commitment to helping us

with this water crisis is

sincerely appreciated.

With the generous support

of people like you, we

will be able to reach

many souls through these

water give aways in our

community.

The goal of Shiloh is to

continue to give water

and supplies to our

county until there is a

resolution. For more

information on how your

donation is helping to

make a difference in the

lives of so many souls in

Flint, MI we invite you

to visit our website and

Face book page.

Thank you again for your

generous donation and

support of our efforts to

meet the needs of our

city and community, and

we look forward to a

continued fellowship.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Daniel and Denise

Moore

Unless otherwise

Sunday Schedules

9 a.m. Liturgical Worship

10:30 a.m. Unveiled

Worship

4 p.m. TEEM

6 p.m. Ch. 5 Rebroadcast

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

6 p Girl

Scouts

3

12 p

Confirmation

Class

4 p TEEM

4 5

3:45 p BIP

Meeting

6 p Melody

Men

6

1 p

Disciple

Group

6:30 p

Praise Team

7 8

10:30 a

John

Phillips

Memorial

Girl Scout

Overnight

9

10

12 p

Confirmation

Class

4 p TEEM

11 12

6 p VBS

Decorating

Meeting

6 p Melody

Men

13 1p Disciple

6 p Girl

Scouts

6:30 p

Praise Team

6:30 p

Worship

Design Team

14

6 p Girl

Scouts

6:30 p

Women’s

Well

15

CISV

Overnight

16

8 a UMM

Breakfast

17

12 p

Confirmation

Class

4 p TEEM

18

6:30 p

Child Care

Staff

Meeting

7 p SPRC

Meeting

19

6 p Melody

Men

20

1 p

Disciple

Group

6:30 p

Praise Team

21

12 p

Daycare/

Preschool

Closed

22 Daycare/

Preschool

Closed

23

Chrysalis

Training

24

12 p

Confirmation

Class

4 p TEEM

25 26

6 p Melody

Men

27 Sprincreek

2nd Grade

Meal

1 p

Disciple

Group

6 p Girl

Scouts

6:30 p

Praise Team

28

9 a

Newsletter

Folding

Party

6 p Girl

Scouts

29 30

Week of the Young Child

Greene Street

United Methodist Church

415 W. Greene Street

Piqua, Ohio 45356-2198

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Piqua, Ohio

Permit No. 268

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED