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May 2020 Issue: 691

“Making God the Foundation of every Day Living”

The Herald First Congregational Church of Tallmadge

United Church of Christ A Stephen Ministry Congregation

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

What’s New from Executive Council? 2

Upcoming Parking Lot Worship 3

Financials, Condolences, Prayer List 4

Need Anything?, Christian Education 5

Youth Ministry Update, Zoom Schedule 6

Church Office Hours, Music Memorial Fund, Mother’s Day Flower Sale 7

KEEP YOUR FAITH MOVING FORWARD

"The strength of a country is the strength of its religious convictions." - President Calvin Coolidge

In the midst of battling the enemies of faith, freedom, and moral conscience, there stands the unknown of when and where extraordinary difficulties may arise. Such is the pandemic COVID-19, which has reordered our lives. Be safe, vigilant, cautious. All wise and true counsel. Yet as people of faith, we find the church at a time and place of reordering for the continued good of our members and others in society. How can we continue to make a difference? In what ways and directions is God leading us? Many. And through our faithfulness to God, we will not only survive this pandemic, but discover new resiliency about ourselves, if we haven't discovered that already. Our prayers continue for everyone in the world, for disease in this day and age is not contained or confined to just one community or region. We are all globally connected with one another. We are universally fragile as we are universally strong, but our strength is found not just in tests, inoculations, and discoveries of cures. There will be another crisis down the road. What and when? I don't know. But one thing I do know: we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Let us acknowledge our fragility in Christ's presence, in prayer, in worship, and in action, and we will be strengthened in our weakness, in our persistence of faith!

Recently, an unsigned letter was sent to some members of FCC. Executive Council was made aware of it. Discussions were held, and they have written a response. You should have already received the re-sponse prior to this newsletter edition.

It is important for all of us to know the proper ways to address concerns about anything in life, especially within the life of the church. From the start of my ministry here with you at FCC, I invited anyone to come and talk with me personally about any concerns. Or, anyone can address issues to a member of the Staff Pastoral Relations Committee. Know that this is how I have proceeded to address any concerns that I was made aware of. The Biblical examples are found in the following verses: Matthew 18:15-17;

John 8:7-11; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 3:8-11 Since the first cen-tury Christian Church, we as people of Christ have been taught to follow these examples in the life of the church. These biblical “encouragements” are part of the foundation of being a healthier church and soci-ety.

Changes and conflict will always take place in the church, and in some ways they go hand in hand. There has been progress made over these past two years of ministry together and I am grateful for all the guidance, assistance, critique, and conversations which have helped me to grow in new ways. We are called by Christ to uphold the two most crucial commandments: to love God and to love one anoth-er. We strive together in fulfilling these most challenging of commandments, as Christ said, “the sum of the laws and the prophets.”

FUTURE WORSHIP SERVICES – PARKING LOT, ONLINE, BUILDING USE

The Trustees have given us permission to use our church facilities to provide a PARKING LOT WOR-

SHIP SERVICE BEGINNING THIS COMING SUNDAY, MAY 3, AT 10:00 A.M.

(continued on next page)

In Christ, Pastor Dave

85 Heritage Dr.

Tallmadge, OH 44278 (330) 633-7848

Phone: 330.633.4931

Fax: 330.633.7010

Website:

www.fcctallmadge.org

Facebook:

First Congregational Church of

Tallmadge, Ohio UCC

Youth Instagram:

fcc_youthministry

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PASTOR’S MESSAGE CONTINUED….

We will proceed with safe contact measures, as was demonstrated at the community Easter worship service. We have a transmitter

which will be able to transmit the worship service over an FM radio station. We will celebrate with music, prayer, scripture and mes-

sage, children's message, and Holy Communion on May 3. For those who wish to participate with Holy Communion, YOU NEED TO

BRING YOUR OWN ELEMENTS - BREAD, CRACKERS, PRETZEL; AND JUICE, WATER, OR SOME OTHER BEVERAGE. AN OF-

FERING WILL BE TAKEN AS YOU DRIVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AT THE END OF THE SERVICE - PLACING IT IN A LARGE

PLASTIC CONTAINER. Please stay in your car at all times. No bathroom facilities are available. We will continue to offer parking lot

services for the foreseeable future, as well as provide online messages and portions of the worship service on our website and Face-

book.

When will the church building be open for use? That is a $64,000 question. The quick answer lies in a combination of future recom-

mendations made by our state government, the Ohio Conference and Living Water Association, our Trustees, and Executive Council

among others. In other words, it will be a collaborative decision. It remains crucial to be safe. That is the top priority. When we do

open, it will most likely be for a small group of people with limited access to our building. But that will be up to the trustees and execu-

tive council to decide. We can imagine at some point down the road, that we will be offering three avenues of worship at FCC:

online, parking lot, and limited building access. As of now, we are offering Sunday School, Youth Group, Faith and Family, and other

connections through zoom. An adult educational/discussion option will be taking place in the near future led by Pastor Dave over

Zoom as well.

I am sadden to announce that two member deaths have recently taken place. Our thoughts and prayers for the families of Gwen Dove and Janet Terrell. It is a difficult time for family members and friends especially in these times with no visitation at hospitals, residential facilities and nursing homes, and funeral homes.

CLOSING REMARKS Many, many servants of our church have been working hard to provide online worship services, Facebook time, and Zoom experienc-es. Phone calls, emails, texts abound between our members, friends, and family. New avenues of "connection" are being discussed and will be implemented...and we will meet sometime in the future, even in small groups of prayer and devotions, so that our shining faces will be able to see one another's smiles and expressions of gratitude for one another. God is good even through the storms of life…

Blessings, Pastor Dave

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

The First Congregational Church of Tallmadge Executive Council met via Zoom on April 14, 2020. Here are some high-

lights from the meeting:

The Mother’s Day Flower Sale is still going on through May 7th. Orders can be placed by calling Kathy Harris. The

cost is $20.

Vacation Bible School is still on for June pending how things progress with the Covid-19. July may be a possibility if

things don’t work out for June.

The church will be close until at least April 26. Decisions about other Sundays will be made in keeping with the

direction the State of Ohio is proceeding with reopening. Messaging to congregation can be through a weekly

newsletter, the church website and email. There will be a least a weekly email sent out to inform congregation of

new developments in our situation and schedule.

There was a lengthy discussion of the government plans to help with payroll in this time of economic stress. We

are going to try to be a part of the PPP (Payroll Protection Plan). This is also related to the CARES program. We

need some clarification as to how the program works and if we can apply. Treehouse Preschool, a subsidiary of

our church, is paying staff salaries for 2 months out of reserves.

Our Annual Business Meeting will be on June 14. Members of each board will be asked their intentions for the

next term is a this point in time. The Nominating Committee needs to fill in the gaps in board and committee

members for each board/committee. (continued on next page)

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Parking Lot Worship at

First Congregational Church

Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 10:00 AM

Organ Music

Communion (bring your own)

Children’s message

Special Music

Scripture

PARKING LOT WORSHIP

We need volunteers to help direct parking

and hold up signs. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Rachel Tassile @ 330-285-

3940.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL UPDATE CONTINUED…

The website worship services have been excellent but the time commitment for Tim B. and Ann P. is significant.

The church can offer some help during this time of need. Wendy Brown is the contact person.

Update on the recent anonymous letter—There is a feeling there should be a response to this letter. This re-

sponse needs the support of executive council. It would be better if we could have a face-to-face meeting rather

than an unsigned letter.

Pastor Dave was honored to be a part of the Community Easter Service at the high school. An offering money

collected will be used to help pay for the service expenses.

The staff was excused from the meeting and there was a lengthy discussion of personnel issues. The staff is on

reduced salary at this point in time. It was thought we might be eligible for a government loan mentioned previ-

ously. Calling back staff is based on our eligibility for this loan. Since we have not paid into the State Unemploy-

ment Fund, Teresa is not eligible for benefits. Whether or not we get the loan will not solve our long-term fi-

nancial problems.

A motion was passed that states “If we are able to acquire the government loan, all staff salaries will revert back

to the amount determined at the last salary adjustment. This reversion will only be in effect as long as we a re-

ceiving money in the form of the loan. This is projected to be a two month time period.”

Timothy Burns, Moderator timburns999@gmail.com 330.703.4807

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The Prayer Chain Connection

" Let us draw near to You with a true heart in full assurance of faith."

—from Hebrews 10:22 Please Remember in Prayer :

Noreen Ashley

Tim Ashley

Biff Baker

Janette Beckwith

Marilyn Berta (Coletta

Spoler’s daughter)

Carol Carter

Mark Clark

Bea Clarke

Claidman DelToro

(acquaintance of Denise

Haynes)

Jackie Fabrezewski

(Esposito’s daughter)

Betty Gulledge

Marianne Hannum

Bev Haught

Jan Hetzel

Donnie Joyner

Zell Lambert

Jim Mayfield

Hannah McConihe

Katie Moore

David & Jackie Parker

Wilma Pohly

Ed Powell (Sharon Letzler’s

brother)

Ronda Read

Barbara Sherrick

(Jim Harris’s sister)

C.J. Smith

Betty Vestal

Alzheimer's Care Giver

Support Group

Confidential Names on our

Prayer List

March, 2020 operating income of

$20,554 was $7,550 below the month-

ly income budget. Operating expens-

es for the month were $32,336 re-

sulting in a deficit of ($11,782) in

March, and a year-to-date deficit of

($11,924). Operating expenses are

really our ministries and missions at

work, and are dependent on Faith

Offerings. We look forward in prayer

to a theology of generosity, and the

ability to continue growing our minis-

tries. Contact the Church office to find

out how to sign up for automatic

monthly giving. Offerings may also be

mailed to the Church or sent from

your bank’s online system.

MONTHLY FINANCIALS

Condolences

The congregation extends its sympathy to the family and friends of

Janet Terrell, who died April 4, 2020

Gwen Dove, who died April 24, 2020

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Need Anything?

During the time of uncertainty, your church should be a place that you can turn to. Your

church staff is dedicated to serving our membership and community. We are working a devel-

oping a list of people who are willing to pitch in for those that would need some helping

hands. These are the areas that we have thought about:

Grocery shopping Checking in on members (even by phone)

Tutoring Child care

Prayerful phone conversations Transportation

If you would like to be a part of helping people during this unsettled time, please contact

Wendy Brown, 330-414-0265 (my cell) or 330-633-4931 (office), or email,

wbrownfcc@sbcglobal. I will add you to a growing list.

If you are a member or know a member who could use help in any way, please contact me as

well. We will do our very best to help in any way that we can. Pastor Dave and I will be in

touch daily so he is also aware of our congregations needs. If you would prefer to contact him

directly with a more personal pastor need, please feel free to call him directly, 714-466-1216.

NEW MEMBERS NEEDED!

The Board of Christian Education is seeking new

members and a chairperson or co-chairpersons for

the 2020-2022 term. Our board organizes fun

activities, fundraisers for youth, and educational

opportunities for children of all ages, as well as

VBS. We can always use new ideas and encourage

input from all board members.

Contact Dianne Drummond or Wendy Brown if

you are interested in becoming chair or joining

the board.

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Hey y’all! I can’t wait until we are back face to face! I miss you all so much! It’s been nice to see

some of my youth over Zoom on Wednesday nights at 7pm. For youth who want to join, follow the

Ignite/Catalyst Facebook page for the meeting ID and Password.

Thank you to Cadence Ickes, Camryn Ickes, and Madalyn Parry who read bedtime stories over Face-

book live. We have more exciting Facebook live events to come! Follow the youth min blog “This is

Weird” for more posts.

Stayed tunes for more information on the youth summer mission trip and how the church is making

that work with agencies during COVID-19.

Finally, thank you to everyone who purchased and helped deliver eggs for the egg sale. It was really

fun to get out and about and egg the yards. —Rachel Tassile, Youth Ministries Coordinator

MAY UPDATE

Sunday School, Book Club, &

Youth Group are back in session...

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Help Support Music at FCC

It is not too late to contribute to the music fund! The brass quintet and I will be on the web site for the Easter Sunday morning ser-vice. Please consider contributing to this fund.

There is no time limit as to when the money needs to be sent to the church, so if you wish, send a check made out to First Congre-gational Church of Tallmadge. In the memo line at the bottom of your check, please write Easter Special Music Donation.

It is because of your generosity that we are able to have special music for both Easter and Christmas Eve.

— Thank you, Nancy Lynn Robinson

Mother’s Day Flower Sale

It’s time to honor that special someone in your life with a beautiful hanging flower basket. We want to continue to support our missions and the grower during these unprecedented times. The cost is just 20.00 per hanging basket. The choices this year are Waterfall Begonia, Rieger Begonia, Calibrachoa, Fuchsia, Geranium, and Scaveola -(fan flower)

Flower pick up dates will be late afternoon on Friday May 8th and from 9 am– 12 pm on Saturday May 9th. You will be able to drive through the church parking lot and your flowers will be placed in your car without you ever having to get out. Thank you for supporting our church as we reach out to help oth-ers. A special Thank you to Kim Fulton for making this possible.

Please call Kathy Harris @ 330-606-0289 to order by May 7st.

With church activities and worship being put on hold, due to the stay at home order, we are no longer having regular church office hours. Church members are encouraged to leave a voicemail on the church line or to reach out to Pastor Dave on his cell phone with important concerns at anytime. 717-466-1216

TEMPORARILY

Rieger Begonia

Waterfall Begonia

Calibrachoa Fuchsia

Scaveola Geranium

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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

PO BOX 420

TALLMADGE OH 44278

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

TALLMADGE OH

PERMIT NO. 30

Spiritual/ Pastoral Care Ministry Contacts

Pastoral Staff Rev. David Brumbaugh Senior Pastor 330.633.4931 cell phone: 717-466-1216 dbrumbaughfcc@sbcglobal.net trumpet@dejazzd.com

Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group & Elders Ministry Roberta Nehrenz 330.634.0713 rgnehrenz@att.net Heart’s in Service Janet McCaulley 330.633.3775 Barbara Rowles 34babs@sbcglobal.net

Prayer Chain Diana Caldwell 330.265.5723 dianasl@neo.rr.com

Yarning for Peace Dee West 330.633.4421 dwest890@aol.com

Staff E-Mail Addresses Cathy Cotter Administrative Coordinator tallmadgefcc@sbcglobal.net

Rachel Tassile M.S. & H.S. / Youth Ministries Coordinator rachel.tassile.fcctallmadge@gmail.com

Wendy Brown Director of Family Ministries wbrownfcc@sbcglobal.net

Nancy Lynn Robinson Choir Director / Organist nrbgp@aol.com

Bill Hoover Finance Administrator bhooverfcc@sbcglobal.net

Teresa Snyder Head Custodian (Mon-Fri, Day Shift) budrose42@yahoo.com

Steve Ristich Assistant Custodian (Mon, Tues, Wed., Thurs. and Sunday)

DATE: April 29, 2020

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