The United Church of Big Rapids Presbyterian Church USA and The United Church of Christ 120 S. State Street  Big Rapids, MI 49307 Phone (231) 796 - 7124            Fax (231) 796 - 7592

Blessing of the Backpacks and Donation of School Supplies
Scheduled for August 30

School starts September 8 (hooray!).  Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks to church on Sunday, August 30, for our fifth annual Blessing of the Backpacks.  We will gear up for the new school year together by asking God’s blessing for a safe and productive year of learning.

Also on that date, all are invited to bring school supplies to donate to area children and teens.  Any type of school supply will be welcomed, including backpacks, binders, colored pencils, crayons, erasers, rulers, etc.  These donated items will be included in the Blessing of the Backpacks that morning, and will then be distributed through Project Starburst.

United Church Youth to host a Car Wash
to raise money for Heifer, International.

Sunday, August 8,
during and after the morning worship service.
Located in the church parking lot.

We'll wash while you worship!
No set fee - we're washing for "tips"
with all proceeds going to Heifer, International.

Calling all United Church STARS!!
In response to our Galactic Blast VBS, the United Church will hold a fundraising Talent Show on Sunday Sept 12th at 1pm.  All STARS in the church (ie all members) are invited to share their talent with the congregation and friends. We will start the performance at 1pm.  As you enter the sanctuary you will be amazed by the displays of art from our members in the gallery.  So performers and visual artists are welcome to participate.  Sign up sheet on the cards of caring table in the narthex.  Last day for entries will be Sept. 7th.  All proceeds will go to the Haiti Bus project.  Contact Mary Morgan 796-4299 with questions.

OWLs - revamping orientation.  We will hold a shortened parent orientation for OWL, the human sexuality class for our 7th, 8th and 9th graders, on Sept 1st at 6:00pm in the parlor.  Parents are invited to attend if they have questions, or would like to help us choose times for our youth’s meetings.  We estimate the meeting to last about 1 hour. Sign up sheet for orientation (parents) and youth participation on the cards of caring table.  Call Karen (832-1028) or Mary (796-4299) with questions.

What is OWLs?  OWLs …
…is grounded in four values:  self worth, responsibility, health, inclusivity and justice.
…is comprehensive sexuality education, covering more than anatomy and mechanics. 
…embraces the thought that God created us as sexual beings.
…teaches youth positive, healthy, safe ways of expressing sexuality that has nothing to do with intercourse.
…shows the range of normal in an affirming environment.
…is 27 weeks of sessions lead by trained adults, in a safe and supportive atmosphere for youth to learn about their own views of sexuality and their peers.
…is a chance to develop a comfort with family and friends while sharing values.

All Church Campout:  All church members are invited to gather together for camping at Cranhill Ranch this August 13,14 and 15th.  The cost will be $40 per campsite for the weekend.  All activities at Cranhill are open to campers, including boats, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, crafts….We will take reservations up to July 31.  We have 9 sites reserved with electric and water hook-up available. Sign up sheet on the cards of caring table.  Talk to Mary Morgan if you have questions.

New Books in the Church Library

Baby Bible
Retold by Sarah Toulmin
Illustrated by Kristine Stephenson
The Old and New Testament stories retold for children, with beautiful illustrations. “Once upon a time there was nothing. God spoke, ‘I want light.’ WOW! The world began.”

Boundaries
By Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
When to say yes, how to say no, to take control of your life.

The Purpose Driven Life
By Rick Warren
What on Earth am I Here For? Go on a 40-day spiritual journey to find the answer.

A BIG THANK YOU goes to the Scsavnicki family for all their hard work refinishing the Dining Hall floor. It looks beautiful! Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

Attention all Gardeners! Some of you have expressed an interest in participating in the "Hope Garden" project, which was started last year by the First United Methodist Church to produce fresh vegetables for Project Starburst and Manna Pantries (just to mention a couple of the agencies that will receive this harvest). The public is invited and encouraged to help with this effort! The garden will be open to work all summer long, with regular work days to be held each Tuesday and Thursday. Many people work in the garden according to their own schedule, and all help is greatly appreciated.  So come when you can, stay as long as you want....there are plenty of things to do in the garden!  The farm is located east of Big Rapids, out New Mill Pond Road, past the cemetery and just past Arthur Road, first farm on the right, garden is just south of the house and barn. Questions can be directed to First United Methodist church (796-7771), Karen Thompson (796-6824) or Bob/Nancy Parsons (796-8189).  

16th Relay for Life for Big Rapids/Mecosta County – Coming September 18-19, 2010

Your Relay for Life team, led by Luanne and Dan Rothstein, are making plans for the 2010 Relay event.  To be held on September 18-19 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and moved this year to Hemlock Park, the overall theme is “Celebrating More Birthdays”. 

The overall goal for the County this year is $75,000 and the United Church team has set its goal at $5,000.  To raise those funds, the team will be sponsoring a number of activities.  First, Alice Bandstra has once again created one of her marvelous quilts for a raffle.  Featuring survivor t-shirts from past events, including a t-shirt worn by deceased United Church member Barry Barratt, the quilt will be on display starting in July and tickets will be available at that time – 6 for $5.00 or $1.00 each.  Next, team members will be selling candy bars after church service starting in June – a larger assortment this year and only $1.00 each.  Of course, church members will want to purchase luminaries for $10.00 each to honor survivors and remember those who have left us but are not forgotten.  And, last, donations for the cause are always welcome!

The team will be preparing a basket for the basket auction with a birthday theme.  So, if church members have small birthday games, balloons, paper products, etc. that they might want to donate for the basket, let Bruce Fredrick or Dee Van Horn know (972-5737). 

And let us not forget why all of this is needed.  As we all stop to think of family members, friends, neighbors and acquaintances who have dealt with cancer of one type of another, we know how important it is to continue to raise funds for research and treatment.  We can all hope and pray that the day will come when all people will be “celebrating more birthdays” because cancer has been eradicated.

A Day and a Night in the Global Village

        On July 6 and 7, a group of thirteen students and adults from the United Church voluntarily traded our status as privileged Americans to spend a night in Heifer, International’s Global Village at Howell Nature Center.  Heifer, Int’l. is a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable development by donating livestock to impoverished families around the world.  In the Global Village, Heifer has re-created the homes and living conditions found in many of the developing communities in which they work.
        After spending a morning in a cool, comfortable classroom learning facts about world population and resources, our group of 11-14  year olds began their experience of walking in somebody else’s shoes.  Literally, as our first task was to hike to the village carrying all of our needed supplies for the night, about a 25 minute walk through the 90 degree heat of a summer midday.  In the village, we toured homes from Mozambique, Thailand, Peru, Nepal, Appalachia and the urban slums.  Our guide, Jeff, gave us insights into how people in these communities sleep, cook and wash.  (Ask any of the students who went why they will only shake your right hand for some insight into that discussion!)  A highlight of the early afternoon was our introduction to three gentle alpacas, animals which provide wool and income for families in South America.
        In the late afternoon, things got serious as the scramble for food and resources was on.  Our guide divided us into family groups, and each group was given supplies for the night.  Reflecting the realities of the world, the division of population and resources was not equal.  The most populated group (from the urban slums) had no resources other than some rice and the labor they could offer in exchange for more.  The family groups from Thailand and Appalachia had more food supplies, but nobody had enough to prepare and eat a meal on their own.  We had access to fuel and fresh water, but were required to walk to search for it and carry it back to our home sites.
        The initial response to these challenges, as our hungry stomachs began to complain, was conflict, confusion, irritation and theft of each other’s stuff.  (As one of our chaperones said, we had some near “Lord of the Flies” moments).  However, reluctantly and not always gracefully, we figured out how to share resources and labor.  In a couple of hours, we enjoyed a meal of rice, sautéed vegetables, cornbread, and four scrambled eggs.  This didn’t quite replicate the experience of getting a Big Mac from a drive-through window, but was surprisingly satisfying.
        After dinner and clean-up, the group spent a couple of golden hours playing, making ‘smores and chasing the fireflies that flickered into view as the sun went down.  Unfortunately, nightfall also brought out other insects as well.  As we went to sleep in our windowless houses, we were tormented by the mosquitoes attracted to our hot, sticky limbs.  We have a whole, new appreciation for the wonder of window screens, and the glorious luxury of window fans and air conditioning.  We fled for the shelter of the lodge as midnight approached, humbled by the knowledge that most people in the world do not have that alternative.

CALL TO ACTION:  The youth who visited the Global Village have decided to reach out to their global “neighbors” by holding a car wash fundraiser on Sunday, August 8.  During and after the church services, we’ll be in the church parking lot making cars sparkle and shine.  Tips for the car washing will be gratefully accepted, with all money earned going to Heifer, International. 

We are grateful to the Camp Scholarship fund of the United Church, which provided financial support for the Global Village trip.  Also, many thanks to Mike Scsavnicki and April Heilman, who acted as chaperones.  Our student participants were Nate and Nick Heilman, Anna Morgan, Ali, Sean and Daniel Scsavnicki, McKenna Saunders, Gary and Austin Poortvliet and Alex Maclean.

Elder in Charge

Jim Cook

Coffee Hour Hosts

Acolytes

Ushers

Liturgists

Greeters

Welcome Desk

Radio Operations

Anniversaries in August