November 1-30; Vol 58 - First Community Church

Care and SpiritThe Spirit of Akita– – The Reverend Mr. James M. Long, Minister of Pastoral CareI lift up my eyes to the hills . . .Psalm 121:1aI have been blessed in recent days to be at CampAkita for three different and wonderful events:James Wooster and Francie Ebright were marriedon Vesper Hill; the Program Staff was on retreattogether; and the Older Adult Ministry hostedour older adults for a day at the camp. Each eventreminded me of what a sacred and blessed placeAkita has been for our church through the years.It is a place for sacred rites of passage. It is a placefor retreat and reflection. It is a place of fun and laughter. Most of all, it is aplace for deepening our relationship with God and with one another.The Hocking Hills are beautiful this time of year as the trees turn to gold, yellowand red. From the back of the Lodge you can sit and look across the lake to thehills and trees beyond. It is easy to reflect on the 121 st Psalm as we look to thosehills for solace and hope. Of course, the psalmist was reflecting on Mt. Zion, butGod is everywhere and most of all when we are seeking and searching for God’spresence, love and grace. Akita means searcher and God is found in the search.Or more appropriately, God finds us.It was an act of love and grace when the Galbreath family generously donatedthe land and Dr. Roy Burkhart chose to establish a church camp on those hills.The stories are legion of how people’s lives have been changed ever since.Even as times and leadership have changed, the influence of the Akita spirit hascontinued. And that spirit is love.I came away from my time at Akita with a conviction that this wonderful placewill continue to bring God’s love to others for years to come. Dr. Burkhart haswritten:The life that is God is infinite, it is good, it is peace, purity, love, and power.But no word more fully describes God than love. Love is God; God is love.(The Freedom to Become Yourself, Roy A. Burkhart, p. 55)It will ever be so.Peace and blessings,Parents, Save the DateParent Retreat at Camp AkitaFebruary 9 - 10For all parents of infants through teens.Enjoy a full day of relaxing with time to yourself and some group sessions.Saturday includes all programs, full use of Camp and lunch.Optional overnight includes lodging, dinner and Sunday breakfast.Online registration opens soon.Parish RegisterWe share the joys and sorrows of ourchurch family in our prayers.BIRTHGrayson Joseph Gehring-Burns 9/18/12son of Jen Burns & Chris GehringMae Elise Archer 10/1/12daughter of Julie & John Archergranddaughter of Jeanie & Bob BauerOlivia Katherine Porterfield 8/8/12daughter of Eric and Jodi Lee Porterfieldgranddaughter of David LeeAbigail Jane Wilson 10/9/12granddaughter of Martha &Hank WilsonMiles Burkley Seipel 10/07/2012son of Amy and Adam Seipelgrandson of Matt SeipelBAPTISMSWilliam Dominic Allen Finney 9/23/12son of Nicole FinneyAyden Joseph Michael Berarducci9/23/12son of Nicole Finney & ShaunMichael BerarducciNicole Finney 9/23/12Madeline Lockhart Bova 9/23/12daughter of Jenny & Clint BovaHadley Elizabeth Simon 9/30/12daughter of Marissa & David SimonSamuel Layman Ford 10/13/12son of Courtney & Ian FordRiley Catherine Denning 10/14/12daughter of Andrea & Doug DenningPhilip Todd Sullivan 10/23/12WEDDINGSTara Crawford & Kail Niederkohr10/13/12Katie Singleton & Ryan Brownfield10/13/12Francie Ebright & James Wooster10/13/12daughter of Lynn & Rod Ebrightgranddaughter of John Boggsson of Donice WoosterMarshia McRae & John Boone10/20/12HOSPITALIZEDMark StullMolly SmithRichard SmithEmily RogersDon RossLlora Beth LeFevreBetty O’NeillPhil FisherClaire SharyJodie DavisPeggy JohnsonJoan HeslerBob HudsonDEATHSJohn Goff 9/25/12Theodor Herwig 9/21/12Marian Shoger 9/25/12 in Oswego, ILsister of Barbara HackJerry Veach 10/7/12Paul Norris 10/9/12father of Kim NorrisBette J. Breth 10/19/12Peg Cook 10/20/12mother of Megan Kent14 November 1 - 30, 2012