1

AUGUST 2017

Our Mission is to be a welcoming place where people meet Christ and grow in their relationship with God through our worship, service, and fellowship.

The Flame

Power Outage

July saw our second power outage in a month. This time, tornados were not the cause; we had an electrical short and fire. Thankfully, the fire was contained and all the damage was outside the church in wiring running up the parking lot light pole. OPPD came out, identified the damage, and disconnected us from the power grid. Electric Express was the only contractor able to help us get back on line in time for Sunday services. Working in the summer heat, they replaced all the copper wiring running up the light pole as well as the weather guard at the top and they checked our building electrical panels and wiring to ensure there was no damage inside. OPPD came back out and by 7pm, power was restored. Unfortunately, a problem with the AC panel kept us from having air conditioning at our 8am service. However, the problem was discovered and the AC was up and running for the 10:30 service. Special thanks to our Senior Warden, Linda Blinston, who after being notified by our security monitor we had a problem, worked to quickly get repairs underway.

2

FR TOM’S TIDBITS

Summer is rapidly coming to an end and before long, our youth will be in school and our parish’s fall program year will be in full swing. Ministry teams are finalizing their preparations and in just another month, our ministry team leaders will meet to look ahead to plan 2018’s spring and fall programs and identify their ministry needs.

While our ministries operate year round, the summer tends to be a quieter time with people traveling and enjoying the world beyond the four walls of our parish. For me, it is always exciting to see how, as our fall programming begins, a new energy comes over our community. This energy is sparked not only by the return of our weary travelers, but the infusion of guests who have joined us since the summer began. That is one reason we start off our fall program with an end of summer picnic. It gives us all a chance to catch up and learn what’s happening.

This year, we will have a few added opportunities for those looking to become active in the various ministries we share as we restructure our Journey to Adulthood program and begin long range planning for events in 2018 and 2019. While our Journey’s restructure is still being finalized, we do know we will be remaining here at CHS all year. Our final plan will be in place by our Sunday School Open House (Aug 20) and published in the September issue of The Flame. This we know, we will need additional volunteers to help with preparing dinner as we move from 22 weeks to 33 weeks at CHS and we would love to have a few volunteers join us as group mentors. If you are able to help, whether once a quarter, once a month, or even more, please contact Jennifer Moffett or call the office.

Werner Park

Last month’s fundraising event was a real success. This month we have two opportunities, Aug 3rd

and 17

th. On each night our team will gather at Werner Park at 5pm, set up our areas, and finish

about 9pm. It is not only a great fundraising event; it is also a great time for fellowship. If you have not yet signed up to participate in this ministry opportunity, you can still do so using a sheet located on the clipboard table or by talking with Dave Conley or Sharon Jones.

3

A couple of weeks ago the eight year old girl walking with me shared her plans for third grade this fall, enthusiastically shared because she enjoys school and learning. Then the other girl walking with us told us how, the night before, she had just turned in her last paper due for summer school. And she was just as enthusiastic because she too loves learning. After the other girl left for her car, the eight year old turned to me and asked in a puzzled tone, "Is she still in school?" A good question because the "other girl" is 25 years old; a nurse who's going back to school to become a teacher. She had learned that her heart was in teaching Special Ed rather than nursing. After I explained how many of us choose to continue to go back to school because we like to keep on learning, the eight year old declared that she too was going to be a life-long learner, just like the other girl.

Life-long learning is a truly worthy goal, and as we know, it isn't limited to a structured school setting that presupposes turning in papers and grades. Life-long learning includes opportunities for participating in community services, for learning how to contribute to services like the Bellevue Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Mobile Food Pantry, Siena Francis, Friends of Tamar, etc. Within the church it includes those "bookish" activities like EFM, Bible Study, Lectionary Study, Lenten Study, Wee Bookies, and so on.

But it's not limited to the "bookish", for example, volunteering as a Lay Reader, Acolyte, Greeter, Usher, Wednesday Mediation Leader, a Youth Group Leader, LEV, Choir, the Altar Guild...provides unlimited opportunities to learn not only about the "how or why" of these ministries, it also provides opportunities to expand your leadership gifts. Service to God through our community and church can provide exciting and life changing opportunities for learning and growth. And if I didn't mention a learning opportunity that interests you, then talk with Fr Tom to find out what other opportunities are available...just for the asking.

Pretty soon that eight year old will be asking me, "So... what are new things are you learning?" I know my answer.

What would your answer be?

DEACON’S CORNER

Welcome Karen

If you have been away on vacation, please take the opportunity to welcome our new church organist, Karen Ferryman. If that name sounds familiar, it is because Karen is also our office administrator. Thank you for all who have complimented her style and use of the Clavinova. Karen plans to blend music from both the Clavinova and organ; and after a meeting with Ali Clark, our choir director, a plan is being pulled together to introduce a more diverse musical offering, both instrumentally and vocally.

4

CHS does two drives per year for Youth Emergency Services (YES). In June we collected water bottles for the street outreach program.

The collection this month will be focused assisting those homeless and at-risk youth who are working hard towards becoming self-sufficient. These are the youth who are attending school and holding down jobs without the support of a family. We at CHS have the opportunity to help the youth who must purchase their own school supplies by donating items such as:

-pencils or pens -notebooks -simple calculator -1 " binders

-pocket folders -staplers -subject dividers -back packs

The collection baskets will be in the parish hall from Sunday August 13th to 20th and will be blessed on the 20th.

For more information about YES and the Transitional Living program please contact Shawn Miller at smiller@yesomaha.org. If you'd like to know more about the mentoring program run by YES, please contact Maren Rasmussen at mrasmussen@yesomaha.org.

LEV Meeting

Saturday, Aug 5th, beginning at 9:30am, the Lay Eucharistic Visitor

ministry team will meet for their quarterly ministry review and training, and for prayerful discussion. If you would like to know more about how you can participate in a ministry that takes communion to those who are sick or shut-in, please feel free to join us for this meeting. For more information, please contact Dcn. Joan Wood.

Making Our Church More Inviting

Our team is formed and we will hold our first meeting on Saturday, August 5, starting at 11:00am. During this session we will hand out materials, cover the first chapter, and determine the meeting dates and times for our remaining meetings. We still have two openings if anyone else is interested in being part of this 15 session workshop. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Fr. Tom by email or text by 5pm on Friday, Aug 4.

YES Outreach Project

5

Arrows to Aerospace Parade

The annual Bellevue Arrows to Aerospace parade will be Saturday, August 19th. CHS will again have a float. This year it will feature a cross and banners along each side highlighting our mission of Service, Fellowship and Worship.

We need people to walk the parade route to hand out candy as well as people to ride on the float and wave to the crowd. It is a pretty flat parade route and a relative easy walk. We need all participants at the church by 9am on the 19th. We will ride the float to our starting point. We will also ride the float from the end of the parade route back to the church.

Donations of candy to hand out along the parade route are also needed. We prefer hard candy and no chocolate as it melts easily outside. Donations may be dropped of at the church office.

A sign-up sheet will be located on the clipboard table to let us know who all will be participating. If you have any questions, please contact Terri Storm

Worship Committee

Our worship committee will meet on Sunday, Aug 13th, at 11:45am.

During this meeting, ministry team leaders for our Greeters, Ushers, Altar Guild, Acolytes, Choir, and Eucharistic Ministers meet to look at the worship we will offer in the upcoming liturgical quarter. Would you like to know what is upcoming, or would you like to have a chance to connect with one of these ministries, if so feel free to join us in the conference room following the 10:30 am service.

Sunday School Open House

Our annual Sunday school open house is planned for Sunday, Aug 20

th. Between services, and after the 10:30 service, our

teachers and mentors will be available to answer questions and help people to enroll in Sunday school, Journey to Adulthood, EFM, or one of our other upcoming formational programs. We are always looking for volunteers who might be interested in helping teach or mentor either a youth or adult class. For more information, please contact Cindy Pekarek, Dcn. Joan Wood, or call the church office.

6

Our Mobile Food Pantry Event in August

The next Mobile Food Pantry (MFP) hosted by CHS will be on Saturday, August 26. Doors will open at 9:00 am and will remain open until 11:00 am or until the food runs out. Do you, or someone you know need a little help, if so this is a great opportunity to find it. Help us spread the word by sharing the Facebook announcement that will come out a week prior, or by posting your own announcement about the event.

Volunteers who will help with the event are asked to arrive by 8:00 A.M. to help set up. Please bring a cart or wagon if you have one. They are invaluable when helping carrying out the food items to vehicles.

We partner with the Food Bank of the Heartland these Mobile Food Pantries make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors. CHS works hard to provide an environment that is well-organized and respectful to all who enter the doors. Being able to help feed our neighbors is a blessing.

Annual Parish Picnic

Sunday, Aug 27th, is the date for this year’s annual parish picnic. We are moving it up a few weeks

as the kids are back in school and September is always such a busy month. This year’s picnic will be right here at CHS and begin right after the 10:30 service. CHS will provide the entre and we ask members whose last name begins with A-L to bring a dessert, and those whose last name begins with M-Z to bring a side dish to share.

7

Sunday School begins

Sunday August 27th is the first Sunday school classes of the

program year. If you missed sign-up during the open house, just stop by and we will help you find the right class. Youth classes will be held in the classroom wing beginning at 9:30am for youth in grades K-5 and an adult class will be held in the library (located in the admin hall, just inside the door next to the kitchen). For Youth in grades 6-12, please see our J2A begins announcement. For more information, please contact Cindy Pekarek or call the office.

Labor Day

The office will be closed on Monday, Sep 4th, in observance of the holiday.

J2A begins (6 Sep)

On Wednesday August 30th, at 6:30, our J2A ministry team will meet here

at CHS in the conference room. Those interested in learning more about some of the changes taking place in J2A, or who wish to learn more about becoming a mentor, or who would like to help in meal preparation, are invited to attend. Please let Jennifer Moffett know if you intend on joining us, or call the office, as a light meal is served.

J2A will begin the following week, on Wednesday, September 6th, beginning

with dinner at 6:30pm. Youth who are 12 years old, or who entering the 6th

grade, are eligible to be part of our weekly program. Each Wednesday our youth gather for dinner at 6:30, and then break into their respective groups at 7pm. We then come together for dessert at 8:10 and end no later than 8:30. Parents of are invited to join us on this night to learn more about our Journey to Adulthood program.

8

When Does Bible Study Return to CHS?

It returns this September when we start to read and discuss Acts for Everyone, by N. T. Wright.

Being a follower of the way of Jesus is a life long journey rather than a destination. In the book of the Acts of the Apostles, Luke tells us about the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles, followers of Jesus, on their journey.

A reviewer says this about Wright's book: " Writing in an accessible and anecdotal style, Tom Wright helps us to approach the rich and many-sided story of the book of Acts. Wright shows how the book builds on Luke's Gospel, laying out the continuing work and teaching of the now risen and ascended Jesus in the power of the Spirit. His writing captures the vivid way in which Luke's work draws us all into the story, while leaving the ending open and challenging, inviting Christians today to pick up and carry on the story as we in turn live our lives in the service of Jesus."

Come and journey with your fellow travelers of the way here at CHS. We start on Wednesday, Sept 6, at 10:20 and meet in the parish hall...near the coffee pot. And no problem if you can't meet every week. We follow a reading schedule--to keep us on track-- so it's easy to keep up with what you would miss.

For more information, please contact Dcn Joan.

Dean Cowles' Not-A-Fish-Story

A Google search will tell us that goldfish will potentially grow from that one inch mite in the goldfish bowl to the size of an arm-- if they live in a large enough pond, that is.

The goldfish in this picture that's the size of Paul Bunyan's arm was reeled in right here in Nebraska by our own Dean Cowles. For more of the skinny on where that Bad Boy lurked, Dean's fishing tips on catching the big ones and what he did with the fish; give Dean a call, or better yet, go visit him. He won't tell you a fish story.

9

Something New

Bible Verse of the Month

Beginning this month, Fr. Tom will suggest one verse from the readings we will hear during the upcoming month to reflect upon. It is hoped that by learning, even memorizing, the verse and its context in Scripture, we will grow in faith and deepen our relationships with God and one another. This month’s verse comes from the story of the Transfiguration found in Luke’s gospel account; chapter 9, verse 35:

“Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!””

There are so many voices clamoring for our attention, we often do not hear the one offering the wisdom we need to grow in our faith and relationships. To help us understand why this verse is important, the following portions of Luke’s account are recommended for your reading, study, and reflection. What do they have in common with our verse of the month? The answer will be in our September Flame.

Week 1 – Luke 9:12-22 (The feeding of the 5,000)

Week 2 – Luke 9: 23-36 (The Transfiguration of Jesus)

Week 3 – Luke 9:37-45 (The power of prayer with faith)

Week 4 – Luke 10:1-11, 16-17 (Jesus sends forth his disciples)

Community Prayer

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 5, verses 16-18, Paul says: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. Beginning this month, Fr. Tom will publish one area in which we solicit the prayers of the community to help support or strengthen a ministry or concern we all share. It is asked that, throughout the month, everyone include this area, project, or ministry in their daily prayer life.

Don’t have a daily prayer life, then try starting one. It is simple and only takes a few minutes. You can pray in the comfort of your home, at a stop light waiting for the light to turn green, or just about anywhere or anytime you have a moment to give thanks and praise to, or solicit strength and help from, God. Megan Hill, in a blog posting once said, “the praying church is a church who admits her dependence on God.” It is hoped that by coming together in prayer, outside of our regular worship, we may draw closer to one another and to God, remembering we do not face the challenges of the world alone, but with Jesus at our side and the Spirit in our heart.

This month, please pray for the members of our workshop series focusing on how to make our church more inviting (that begins Aug 5); that their journey is one of faith guided by the Holy Spirit, and that they are able to identify ways we can build upon our strengths and overcome any obstacles encountered along the way.

10

Financial Report as of June 30, 2017

Actual Budgeted YTD Actual YTD Budget

Pledged $ 13,379.00 $ 15,786.33 $ 84,960.00 $ 94,718.00 Other Inc. $ 1,226.26 $ 2,168.33 $ 11,211.30 $ 13,010.00

Total Inc $ 14,605.26 $ 17,954.67 $ 96,171.30 $ 107,728.00 Expenses $ 16,712.48 $ 18,639.63 $ 101,636.97 $ 111,837.80

Members Present: Leslie Nutting, Linda Blinston, Dave Conley, Vic Culp

Meeting was called to order at 6:45 pm by Linda Blinston.

Finance

Finance reports were given by Vic Culp. All transactions were as expected for this time of year with income being down to 91% and expenses at 110%. We are still waiting for income from Werner Park however there were substantial tips from the July 13 sales.

Reports and payment of bills were accepted by the Executive Committee since there was not a quorum for a vote.

Old Business

All business was postponed until the August meeting due to not having a quorum present.

New Business

The Parish Picnic, Arrows to Aerospace Parade and status of tree replacement was discussed and tabled for the August meeting.

Vic has agreed to take over open VPOD dates as we continue to look for a replacement for the empty Vestry position. Several people have been approached but as yet, no one has agreed to take over the 6-month position.

Vic has a member of All-Saints Church who might be willing to take on our church audit and he will let us know if that happens.

Closing

With no other discussions or ability to conduct business without a quorum, the meeting was adjourned by Linda at 7:15 pm.

VESTRY MINUTES July 20, 2017

11

LAY MINISTRIES SCHEDULE

Please submit articles for the September 2017

FLAME to the church office by August 15.

Thank you

UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS!

Werner Park - Aug 3 @ 5pm LEV Meeting - Aug 5 @ 9:30am Finance committee - Aug 13 @ 9:30am Collection for YES - Aug 13 Worship Committee - Aug 13 @ 11:45am Werner Park - Aug 17 @ 5pm Arrows to Aerospace Parade - Aug 19 Sunday School Open House - Aug 20 DOK - Aug 20 @ 9:30am Vestry - Aug 24 @ 6:30pm Mobile Food Pantry - Aug 26 @ 9am Wee Bookies - Aug 26 @ noon Sunday School Begins - Aug 27 Altar Guild - Aug 27 @ 9:30am Parish Picnic - Aug 27 Lectionary Group - Aug 28 @ 5:30pm

Ministries Aug 6 Aug 13 Aug 20 Aug 27

VPOD Michele H Cindy P Lori E Dave C

Coffee Hosts 8am

10:30am

TBD Team 6

TBD Team 1

TBD Team 2

TBD Team 3

Greeters Sun 8am 10:30am

Leslie N Toby W, Nancy B

Kristin K Dean & Joan O

Leslie N John & Pauline P

Kristin K Gary & Karen G

Ushers 10:30am Chris D Dean O

Vince C Vince C, Jr

Brian W Vic C

Joe & P S Lora C

Altar Guild

Joan W Sharon J Kim C Sandi S

Toby W Kristi S Charlotte A Janet H

Jan S Linda B Joan M

Sandy V Joan O Leslie N Carol M

Altar Bread Nancy B Nancy B Nancy B Nancy B

LEVs Charlotte A Toby W

Kim C Joan W

Glenna M Dave M

Jody M Courtney M

LEM Sat 5pm Alberta Y Ken G K Smith Ken G

8:00am Lessons Prayers

Jared S Doug A

Sue H Sydney M

Jared S Charlotte A

Rick S

10:30am Lessons Prayers

Jennifer W Sydney M

Michele H Jan S

Kim C Jan S Jennifer W

Acolytes 10:30am

Daunte H -C Darius H Isiah H

Bobby R William R

Grace W -C Emily W

Silas C Liam S David R

12

The Flame Newsletter of The Church of the Holy Spirit - Episcopal 1305 Thomas Drive Bellevue, NE 68005-2973

402-291-7732

The Flame is a monthly production of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Episcopal, in Bellevue, Nebraska. We welcome all stories, pictures, and suggestions, but must reserve the right to choose what we can print. Please send articles and pictures to CHS Admin at holyspirit@chsepiscopal.org. The next deadline for submitting news is August 15.

Regular Services:

Education:

Office Hours:

Rector’s Day Off:

Webpage: www.chsepiscopal.org Email: holyspirit@chsepiscopal.org

Saturday: 5:00 pm Holy Eucharist (chapel)

Sunday: 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite 1 (church)

Nursery from 9:30–11:30 am

10:30 am Holy Eucharist (church)

Wednesday: 9:30 am Holy Eucharist / Healing Prayer (chapel)

Sunday: 9:30 am Sunday School (September-May)

Wednesday: 10:15 am Adult Formation

Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am–3:00 pm

Friday: 9:00 am–Noon

Friday