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The BeaconAugust 29, 2008

10:00AM SUMMER WORSHIP

info@firstbaptistgranville.org 11:00 worship service will resumewww.firstbaptistgranville.org on Sunday, September 14 .th

Phone: (740) 587-0336FAX: (740)587-2412 Church office hours:

9am to 3pm, Monday through Friday

REFLECTIONS

Trappist monk and author Thomas Merton once wrote, “Paradoxically, I have found peace because I have alwaysbeen dissatisfied. My moments of depression and despair turn out to be renewals, new beginnings. If I were once to settledown and be satisfied with the surface of life, with its divisions and its clichés, it would be time to call in the undertaker....So, then, this dissatisfaction which sometimes used to worry me and has certainly, I know, worried others, has helpedme in fact to move freely and even gaily with the stream of life.”

It can be tempting to expect an absence of dissatisfaction in church life, to see it as an island of serenity andrepose in the midst of our overly busy, often chaotic everyday lives. But Merton’s observation gives such expectationpause, as he suggests that dissatisfaction and discontent are the necessary beginnings of any path that might lead to thatdesired serenity, to peace.

Is it possible to then see all that irritates us, worries us, frustrates us, angers us, in our church, our community,our world, as ways, in Merton’s words, to “move freely and even gaily with the stream of life”? How might ourdissatisfactions be transformed into the first steps towards peace?

Faithfully,Kathy

FALL ADULT CLASSES

In addition to the ongoing Feminist Class, three new adult classes will be offered inthe fall: the first, taught by Patti Burkett, uses Thomas Merton's writings as aspringboard for reflection and discussion; the second, beginning in October, will betaught by Rev. Gini Lohmann Bauman using a social justice curriculum developed bySojourners; the third, taught by Kathy Hurt, will be a weeknight Bible study.

A full description of the Merton class, which begins on Sunday, September 14, is as follows:

Come join Patti Burkett, trained spiritual director, in a class this fall to study the words of ThomasMerton. We will be using the resource, Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton, which isideally suited for small groups. A tool for spiritual development, Bridges invites participants on a journeytoward spiritual transformation and a more contemplative, peace-filled life. Using Merton's writings as astarting point, each session seeks to mine the life experience and spiritual depths of those who use it. TheBridges series includes eight volumes each offering an introduction to Merton and contemplative living,prayers, readings from Merton and other spiritual writers, and questions for contemplative dialogue. Wewill be using Volume 2, "Becoming Who You Already Are", for our fall session and will meet each weekin the old choir room--behind the sanctuary. We will gather at 9:45 a.m. and begin the actual sessionmaterial at 10 a.m. All are welcome and encouraged to try out this 8 week session. Books will beavailable at the first class.

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FBC REMEMBERS MARY K CAMPBELL

We are saddened by the news that long time member, Mary K. Campbell passedaway Saturday, July 26, 2008. Plans have been made to have a memorial serviceand celebration of her life here at FBC on the afternoon of Saturday, September27 . For those wanting to send condolences, her son, Alan Campbell’s address is:th

3268 Ridgecane Road, Lexington, KY 40513.

Throughout my childhood in Granville, MK Campbellwas an exotic apparition in a landscape of otherwise dulladults. When I joined FBC in middle-age, MK was verymuch into her 80’s, but seemed to me essentially thesame. I have never understood why she chose me to beher pew mate, friend, and helper, but chose me she didand I have felt honored ever since. To me she was somuch like the vivid flowers she loved, expressive,brilliant, and intrinsically fragile. I can not look at adaylily without seeing her. I have many fond and funnyimages of her: being a guest for her Happy Hour, heraccount of hitching a ride in a pickup truck into town,her habit of examining peoples’ backsides in church (asher pewmate, I should know). But most of all I thinkabout her watching and absorbing the world around her,and then reflecting it back to us in wonderful ways. MK,I miss you.

—Laura Joseph

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There was never a gloomy day when you were aroundMary K Campbell. Her impish humor and her sartorialflair brightened and lifted the spirits of anyone near her.She had this effect long distance also, faithfully clippingany pertinent photo or news item of interest to tuck intoyour mailbox and adding a typical Mary K observationor directive for action. We loved her presence and wevery much miss her now.

—Susan Richardson & Dom Consolo

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MK and my mother were best of friends and so I havemany stories. The one that stands out is the bear story. Igrew up in the mid 50's and we didn't have much moneyso vacations were usually spent camping. On this onevacation we went to the Smokey Mountains inTennessee where we found a site and set up our tent. Wedidn't bother to read the signs. It began to rain and we allwere tired and so decided to go back into the town toeat. There were signs around which said "store any foodyou have up in the trees" but I guess we ignored them.When we got back, a wet black bear was waddlingaway. It had not only walked over the neighbor's puptent, but also had smashed our tent and gotten into ourwooden trunk and eaten the food which consisted ofeggs, sugar, flour, bacon and syrup and milk. Theseingredients were all over our sleeping bags and blanketsand the whole place smelled like wet bear. My motherwas so upset, she sat up the whole night holding aflashlight shining it out into the wilderness daring thatbear to come back and harass us. She wasn't going to letan old bear harm her 3 children. Of course, she told thestory to MK who drew a picture of the experience. Ithink I have it and will be glad to share it with others.

— Nancy Reeb

Mary Kay was devoted to expressing appreciation forthe music in church whenever I played the flute. Shealways made a point of reaching out to me, thanking mesincerely with that wonderful flair she had, as if it werethe only music she had ever heard. If she missed meafter church, she would send a postcard - several ofwhich I keep in my flute case for inspiration. They arewritten in colorful pen adorned with stars and sunbursts,some words circled for emphasis, telling me how she"wept with pleasure". She made me feel famous andprofound, though my flute playing skill is really just aleftover from high school marching band. My favorite ofher cards says "when your son gave you a warm hugafter your playing today, he inadvertently did what weall wanted to do." How did she know what would touchme deeply so many years later? I miss her hugs and hersmile, and I love the lesson of the value of a thank younote.

—Julie Reiswig

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Mary Kay set a fine example for us: to recognize thegood and lovely things in everyday life, to constantlycelebrate people's accomplishments, and to add colorand beauty to the world. We can only hope to be asgenerous in spirit as she always was.

—Carol Phillips Whitt

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Though too often the statement, "God works inmysterious ways," is used to smooth over a terribleexperience, I found the phrase coming to mind when Iread the following note from Mary Kay Campbell's sonAlan, accompanied by a lovely closeup photo of ayellow hibiscus. The story is too good not to share:

—Kathy Hurt

“Last year MK got this hibiscus plant to brightenour back porch and it provided us with gorgeousyellow blooms all summer. In an attempt to "winterover" this tropical plant, we put it in the basementwith monthly watering. We were delighted whenmuch of the plant came back in the spring. We havebeen watching it all summer to see if it would bloomagain. It did, today, in honor of her birthday!

CHEERS to you from MK's hibiscus!”

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ANNOUNCING NEW PASTORAL CARE TEAM

A new Pastoral Care Team has formed to work with thepastor in providing ongoing care and support to thecongregation, as well as a focused response whenever aspecific need arises. Along with the pastor, this group willcoordinate care, share resources and input, and model whatit means for us to be a caring community.

Members of the Pastoral Care Team and their contactinformation is as follows:

Dee Fontana(614) 889-6009 E-MAIL: df210@sbcglobal.net

Rev. Faith Callison(614) 889-6009 E-MAIL: frc333@sbcglobal.net Sheila Lafferty(740)607-8691 E-MAIL: wobbly1@roadrunner.com

BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The August Governing Board meeting was held Sunday,August 24 immediately following the morning service.Primary topics of discussion were: our financial status, thesearch for an engaging church mission project, the dual-affiliation information gathering process and updates fromWhatever Works Art Space.

1. There is concern from our Financial Committee thatalthough we currently have greater income thanexpense, we still are behind on pledges for the year.

2. MSAC has been searching for some mission/socialaction project that will be able to involve more of thecongregation. Habitat for Humanity had help thissummer from only 6 of our people.

3. Questions that need to be answered in the dual-affiliation process are: Who is FBC now—not whohave we been? Are we operating from an old identityor a current reality? Are we being realistic?

4. The Art Space seems to be moving forward but thisbrought up some administration questions that theBoard is still wanting to ask Carol and crew.

NOTE FROM THE TREASURER:

This report will be a part of the Beacon on amonthly basis.

Finances for First Baptist Church are as follows forthe period of January to July 2008.

Income = $100,863, Expenses = $112,578, as ofJuly 31, 2008, we have a deficit of $11,714.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

This summer has been great working with the kids. Manyfamilies were on vacation or out of town, but we had agreat time with the kids who attended Sunday school. Wehad an ice cream social where some kids brought theirfriends to church. We talked about summer camps thateach child attended and what friendship meant to eachperson. We made pillows, which represented Sabbath (theday of rest). We had a lesson about the Sabbath and howChristians observe Sabbath on Sundays and the Jewishpeople observe Sabbath on Saturdays. We also had WaterFun Sunday. We talked about Jesus turning water intowine (his first miracle).

Elizabeth Adair (summer intern) was a great help thissummer. She had many ideas about Sunday school andhow we can make things fun for the kids. I had a greattime working with her.

I am excited about the fall and the curriculum we will beusing. The name of the curriculum is called LINC and bothmiddle school and high school classes will be using it.This curriculum is sent to us by email and the lessons areabout what is happening in our world today.

If anyone is interested in helping with children’s ministryas a greeter, Sunday school helper/teacher or a provider ofsnacks for our kids, please contact me at 614-306-5764. Jacquie

THE ANNUAL CHURCH POTLUCK will be held onthe front lawn on Sunday, September 14, 2008immediately after the regular church service. The churchservice begins at 11:00 a.m. and marks the beginning ofthe fall season. This potluck will be picnic style, so bringyour favorite picnic dish to share and your own tableservice and your favorite lawn game. Hamburgers, hotdogs, buns, condiments, and cold drinks will be provided.Pray for no rain so we can play outside. Happy fall!

Upcoming Events

Sept. 13 Maker’s MarketSept. 14 Annual Church Potluck, after worship

Return to 11:00am worship serviceSept. 20 ABC/RGR Annual Gathering

Granville Hot Licks Blues Festival, noon-10Sept. 27 Memorial Service for Mary K CampbellSept. 28 FBC Board meeting, after worship

Join in the PEACE VIGILS at Opera House Park each Saturday, from 9:00 to 10:00am

and each Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm

Annual Gathering of theAmerican Baptist Churches

of the Rochester-Genesee Region Saturday, September 20, 2008

Lake Avenue Baptist Church / Rochester, New York. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Women inMinistries.” Reservation forms are available in the backof the sanctuary–deadline for reservations is September15 . th

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MSAC NEWS

September will be Personal Products month. The FoodPantry is glad to distribute these non-food items to theirpatrons: toilet paper, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes,soap, shampoo, conditioner, feminine products,bandaids, etc.

Thank you to everyone who has brought something thissummer. We'll continue to collect tuna, peanut butter,spaghetti/sauce, and money every month, so keep theFood Pantry in mind!

THANK YOU FROM THE FOOD PANTRY

Dear Church Members:

Please accept this sincere thank you for yourgenerous support of the Food Pantry Network. Yourcontributions are very much appreciated.

Did you know over 40% of the meals distributedare for children who are poor through no fault of theirown? In 2007, we’ve provided over 702,396 meals to132,715 individuals. This is over an 18% increase onindividuals helped over where we were this time lastyear.

Your support greatly helps us in our efforts tofulfill our mission of “assuring that no one in LickingCounty goes hungry.”

Sincerely,

Charles S. Moore, Executive Director

News from the Whatever Works Art Space

The Art Space (formerly known as the church fellowshiphall, or the basement with the mold problem) has been afun and busy place. Over the summer we taught classessuch as hand building in clay, multi-arts, drawing,papermaking, printmaking, and digital animation. Wehosted the YMCA summer art camps for 3 weeks, and acommunity art project at the Great Granville Picnic. Thisfall we are setting up a ceramics room in the ElinorDunham room (the foyer that used to be the ping pongroom). We have gotten several kilns and a potters wheeldonated, and are looking for more wheels. When this roomis all set up we will have a thriving pottery studio.

The children's space has a wonderful Dr. Seuss mural andgreat toys to play with. We anticipate that lots of childrenand adults will be able to nurture their creative side andmake new friends in this art program. Please help usspread the word (and pass out our postcards—available atcoffee hour). For more info, speak to Carol Whitt onSunday or see our website, www.whateverworks.org.

THE FIFTH ANNUAL GRANVILLE INN CHILICOOK-OFF, to benefit The Teen Center, will be held onSaturday, October 4th on the front lawn of the GranvilleInn. Become a sponsor, cook chili, or just stop by to taste.More information is available at the Inn front desk or bycalling 740-587-3333. Entry forms can be found atwww.granvilleinn.com.

From SOJOURNERS’ Non-Partisan

“Vote All Your Values” Voting Guide

Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights ofthe poor and needy.” —Proverbs 31:9

Christians have a moral and civic responsibility toparticipate in the political life of society by prayerfullymeasuring the proposed policies of all candidates againstChristian ethics and values. Our broad set of Christianvalues should inform our political decisions. While wemust be careful about translating scripture directly intopublic policy positions, the guide’s principles andsuggested approaches on a range of issues provide acritical framework to shape our perspective on publicpolicy and political leadership. We encourage you to usethis guide to educate yourself on these issues. This caninform you as you write letters to candidates or to yourlocal newspaper, call radio talk shows, and ask candidatesat forums or town hall meetings questions based on theseprinciples. Think and pray about whom you would entrustwith the responsibility to lead your community, state, andnation. We pray that this provides a moral compass toinform prudential political judgments. What issues are included in the 2008 guide?

Compassion and economic justice Peace and restraint of violence A consistent ethic of life Racial justice Human rights, dignity, and gender justice Strengthened families and renewed culture Good stewardship of God's creation

To see the complete guide, visit www.sojo.net, click onthe Vote Out Poverty icon and click on the voter issuesguide link.

The Granville Fellowship is Seeking Volunteers

The Granville Fellowship is a non-profitorganization for those 55 and older. The Fellowshipprovides many activities and services for their members.Monthly day trips, health-related programs, exerciseclasses, luncheons, art classes and book clubs are justsome of the opportunities provided by the GranvilleFellowship, located at 130 N. Granger Street. It alsopublishes a monthly newsletter that details the programsand events sponsored, which contains a calendar withdaily activities listed. Membership to the Fellowship isFREE, but donations are always accepted to help fundtheir programs.

The Fellowship is a wonderful place to offer yourtime if you feel called to do so. They rely heavily onvolunteers and can use volunteers of all ages to help withmonthly luncheons, provide rides for members who do notor cannot drive, give a phone call to check on older seniorsor just have a friendly chat. Service hours are alsoavailable for middle school and high school students!They are updating their volunteer lists and would love toinclude your name!

If you would like more information or would liketo receive their newsletter, please call 587-1333 or emailgfellowship@alltel.net.

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THE “VOTE OUT POVERTY” CAMPAIGN

This article was published in the recent issue of The

Christian Citizen: Voices for Biblical Justice, a

publication of National Ministries, ABC/USA.

“Vote Out Poverty,” “Vote Out Poverty,” echoeddown the hallways of the Gault Center for ChristianLeadership this past January in Delaware, Ohio. Thei

chants were led by Adam Taylor of Sojourners, as hecoaxed 17 “Windchangers,” ranging in age from 22 to 80years old, into voicing the passion of the campaign theywere learning to lead. The Windchangers are a pilot groupof volunteer clergy and faith leaders in Ohio whounderwent intensive organizing and advocacy training inJanuary to begin to “change the wind” (as Jim Wallis,CEO of Sojourners, is known for saying) in Columbus,Cleveland, and Cincinnati, Ohio – and ultimatelynationwide.

Sojourners developed the “Vote Out Poverty”ii

campaign in the summer of 2007 in response to a growingrecognition that 2008 would be a critical year in thehistory of our nation. Not only is 2008 anotherpresidential election year, but 2008 is forty years removedfrom 1968 – a year marked as the tragic turning point inour nation’s history when Dr. King was assassinated whilesupporting striking sanitation workers in Memphis andRobert F. Kennedy was shot while campaigning forPresident on an economic justice platform. For forty yearswe have been wandering in the wilderness of economicinequity and social injustice, lacking both the boldleadership and the national resolve to redress the rootcauses of poverty in America and around the world.

The Vote Out Poverty campaign is designed tobegin to lead us home from the wilderness and into a newera of national action to end poverty in our lifetime. Thecampaign will mobilize the church and people of faith toput poverty on the top of our nation’s political agenda andto set goals for poverty reduction in our country andaround the world. In many ways this campaign follows theexample set by the United Kingdom in 1999, when theLabor government publicly committed to the goal ofcutting in half the number of children living in poverty inthe U.K. The campaign also incorporates the commitmentmade by 189 nations in 2000 to the eight MillenniumDevelopment Goals, which include a commitment to cutiii

in half in the number of people living in extreme povertyby the year 2015.

In addition to putting poverty on the top of thenational agenda in election year 2008, the “Vote OutPoverty” campaign contains two broad policy goals: (1)Reduce by half the number of Americans living in povertyover the next 10 years; and (2) Commit the leadershipnecessary to achieve the Millennium Development Goals,specifically through increased/effective international aid,debt cancellation, and just trade policies.

These policy goals will be achieved through avariety of initiatives, including: (a) the “Vote Out Poverty”pledge (reprinted herein); (b) grassroots organizingthrough the leadership of the Windchangers program andother partnerships; © “Vote Out Poverty” Sunday, anevent for churches across the country that highlights theissue of poverty in the election context; (d) Non-partisanvoter guides on how to apply a broad range of Christian

values to candidates and electoral issues; (e) Faith forums,which are bipartisan events between congressionalcandidates and the faith community to promote dialogueon plans to overcome poverty; and finally, (f) a “call toaccountability” event in our nation’s capitol in March2009 to hold our elected officials accountable to theprinciples expressed in the “Vote Out Poverty” campaign,with leaders from every congressional district in thecountry.

Some have questioned whether the “Vote OutPoverty” campaign can overcome the political, social, andother barriers that have kept our nation in the wildernessthe past forty years. Despite such skepticism, we arealready witnessing significant change in our churches andcommunities, and in our political landscape. Not only isour national conversation around poverty changing, butour political leaders are beginning to step up to thechallenge of poverty in new ways.

In particular, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D-OH)* recently became the first elected office holder in thenation to sign the “Vote Out Poverty” pledge. Rep.Tubbs-Jones was challenged at an ecumenical publicwitness on poverty to sign the pledge, and after thoughtfulconsideration, Rep. Tubbs-Jones agreed to develop plansto achieve dramatic poverty reduction both at home andabroad. Moreover, during a campaign stop in Ohio, one ofthis election season’s presidential candidates also signedthe “Vote Out Poverty” pledge, and committed – if electedPresident of the United States of America – to developpoverty reduction plans to cut in half over the next 10years the number of Americans living in poverty and toachieve the Millennium Development Goals. We arecurrently meeting with the other presidential candidates tosecure their commitments as well to the “Vote OutPoverty” pledge.

Please consider joining us in our walk out of thewilderness and into a new era of national commitment andactivism to end poverty. For further information abouthow you and your church can become engaged in thiscampaign, visit www.sojo.net.

Author: The Rev. Virginia Lohmann Bauman is the

Ohio Field Director for Sojourners. She gratefully

acknowledges the contributions of Adam Taylor, Senior Director

of Campaigns and Organizing for Sojourners.

*Stephanie Tubbs-Jones passed away suddenly just lastweek.

i. The Gault Center for Christian Leadership operates under

the auspices of The Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

Sojourners is grateful for the Gault Center’s generous

sponsorship of the Windchangers Leadership Institute in

January, 2008.

ii The mission of Sojourners, www.sojo.net, is to articulate

the biblical call to social justice, inspiring hope, and

building a movement to transform individuals, communities,

the church, and the world.

iii The eight Millennium Development Goals are: (1) Eradicate

extreme hunger and poverty; (2) Achieve universal primary

education; (3) Promote gender equality and empower

women; (4) Reduce child mortality; (5) Improve maternal

health; (6) Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases;

(7) Ensure environmental sustainability; and (8) Develop a

global partnership for development.

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FIRST BAPTIST YOUTH

EMBROILED IN CONFLICT

Who would have thought to find a mightybattle being waged on a sunny Sundayafternoon in Granville, but such was thescene down behind the Martins' housewhen the youth of the church challengedthe adults to a softball game earlier thismonth. The youngsters came loaded forbear, with standout school players like theBurketts and Oxenriders, as well ashardball menace Dan Rainwater. As itturned out, nearly everyone on the youthteam smacked the ball with a will, and theoutfielders got more of a workout thananyone else while they were at the plate.The adults, surprisingly enough, took anearly lead, behind towering long balls fromKevin Rainwater and Charlie Van Ness,along with steady hitting from everyoneelse on the team. In order to make thegame most fair, Jeff Reiswig agreed topitch for both teams, and put in seven solidinnings on the mound. In the end, youthhad its day, with a 13-8 win, but the olderfolks put on a good show. An excellentcheering section was in place, with lots ofsupport for whomever was, at the time,doing something exciting. It was anexcellent summer event, with thanks toJeff & Julie Reiswig for organizing. Takecare, young folks, I've heard talk of wintersupport group meetings at the battingcages.

ONE OF THE MANY HAVING

A GOOD DAY AT THE PLATE!

The next FBC Board meeting will after the worship service on Sunday, September 28 . th

First Baptist Church of Granville115 W. BroadwayGranville, Ohio 43023

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