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The Lamplighter August 2017 • Salem United Church of Christ • Higginsville, Missouri

Dear Friends,

Maybe it is that I just passed my 60th birthday, or maybe it is the nearness of Salem Church’s sesquicentennial, or maybe it is something else altogether, but I have been thinking a great deal about retirement of late. I am not ready to retire and I have no plans to retire anytime soon. At the same time, however, retirement is a lot closer for me that it used to be…a LOT closer! I have a memory, from when I am not entirely sure, but I have a memory of calculating as a young man the year that I would turn 65. I remember thinking that 2022 seemed to be impossibly far off. Then I blinked and it was 2017 and I turned 60. How does that happen?

One factor that I am sure has brought on this new consideration for me is the imminent retirement of the Rev. Dale Parson. Dale announced his retirement in a letter that he read to the Conference Annual Gathering in June. His last day will be around 10 September. Dale is concluding more than twenty-one years of service as an Associate Conference Minister in the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ. By his count, Dale has served with three called Conference Ministers, three interim Conference Ministers, at least eight Associate Confer-ence Ministers (called and transitional), three directors of outdoor ministries, and at least fifteen support staff. (If you would like to read the full text of Dale’s letter, you can find it at::

http://files.constantcontact.com/b966dc76201/8c21ca88-11f0-4ead-83f4-66db8b4cdc5d.pdf )

For many of us, especially in the Western Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference, Dale has been the face of the wider United Church of Christ. His wit and his wisdom have guided us through times of difficulty and his joyous spirit has walked with us in times of joy. As one Conference Annual Gathering attendee put it, for twenty-one years, Dale has been the glue that has held the Missouri Mid-South Conference together.

A recent redistribution of Conference responsibilities has moved Dale somewhat away from the Western Asso-ciation, but what we might perceive as our loss is certainly the Conference’s gain. Even with the administrative changes, Dale has been present in and for the Western Association and we are grateful for his presence.

I owe a particular debt of gratitude to Dale Parson. I had known about Dale for many years, as one of my long-est friends, another United Church of Christ minister who served for twenty-five years in the St. Louis Association and is now in Ohio, used to mention him. He spoke of Dale’s sincerity and humor, and when Crystal and I moved to Missouri, he encouraged me to contact Dale. When I received Privilege of Call in the Central Southeast Associa-tion of the Ohio Conference, I got in touch with Dale again. After a while, he contacted me asking if I would con-sider coming to an unnamed church in Missouri. The church was near Kansas City and had had a difficult period that had led him to suggest that the church consider a designated minster. That church, of course, was Salem Church, and without Dale’s insight and understanding, I might not be here now.

Currently, there are two events being planned for the Conference to celebrate Dale’s ministry and to send him into what he has called the “third third” of his life. The first will be on Sunday, 20 August, at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Sedalia, Missouri. This will be an event especially for the Western Association congregations, which have had a particularly close relationship with Dale. The second even will be a Conference-wide event at Co-lumbia United Church of Christ in Columbia, Missouri, on Saturday, 26 August. Details for both of these events are elsewhere in the issue of the Lamplighter. I hope that many of us will take advantage of one or both of the oppor-tunities to express our gratitude to Dale and to wish him well in his retirement. “Well done, good and faithful serv-ant.”

Grace and Peace

Tommy

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August 2017 The Lamplighter Page 2

Listed below are our members and friends (at the time of printing of the Lamplighter) now residing or recovering at our local and sur-rounding community nursing homes and care facilities. A card or visit from a church family member would be a delightful surprise! Meyer Care Center, 1201 W. 19th St., Higginsville, MO 64037 Wilma Dieckhoff Glenn & Shirley Nowack Pat Pence Anna Marie Rinne Grace Schemmer Robert “Cobb” Souder Earl Struchtemeyer Bob Tankesley New Haven Living Center, 609 Golf Street, Odessa, MO 64076 Myrna Fette Lutheran Good Shepherd Home, 202 SW St., Concordia, MO 64020 Winnie Knehans Jake Stoecklin Ann Nuelle Country Oak Village, 101 Cross Creek Drive, Grain Valley, MO 64029 Viola Meinershagen Riverbend Heights Rehab & Health, Lexington Nursing Home, 1221 South Highway 13, Lexington, MO 64067

Mark Gieselman

Winchester Meadows, 3761 W. 10th St., Sedalia, MO 65301

Roberta Summers (Apt. 102 E)

VOLUNTEERS

NEEDED

The Memorial Committee is asking for volunteers to wa-ter the flower pots at the front doors of the church. If you are interested please call Mary Homfeld, 584-3060.

Please join us for Summer Sunday School at the 10:00 a.m. Worship Service if you are under the age of 10. We will meet in the sanctuary overflow, after the children's message.

Christ’s hands

In World War II, bombs destroyed a church in Strasbourg, France. As parish-ioners cleared the rubble, they discov-ered a statue of Jesus that was now miss-ing both hands.

A visiting sculptor later offered to make repairs, but church members de-clined, saying Christ “has no hands to minister to the needy or feed the hungry or enrich the poor — except our hands. He inspires. We perform.”

St. Teresa of Avila wrote:

Christ has no body but yours;

no hands, no feet on earth but yours.

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

compassion on this world.

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.

Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,

yours are the eyes, you are his body.

Christ has no body now but yours.

TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE

Transportation is available to any worship service. Please call the church office to make arrangements, (660) 584-3603.

CHURCH INFORMATION Tommy’s email: tlfaris@ctcis.net Tommy’s cell phone: 816-352-2052 Church Telephone: 660-584-3603 Church Email: salemucc@ctcis.net Church Website: salemucchigginsville.org Fax number: 660-584-5666

PASTORAL VISITS OR PRAYERS Anyone who would like a pastoral visit or are in need of prayers, please call the church office, (660) 584-3603.

YOM NEWS

On Sunday, August 6, at 3:00 p.m., anyone who might be interested in attending next year's Youth on Mission workcamp (and their parents, if appropriate) is invited to a meeting. The purpose will be to discuss and select the date and loca-tion of our 2018 trip. Please join us!

On Sunday, September 17, at both services, our Youth on Mission will pre-sent a slide show and narra-tive about this summer's camps in Cayey, Puerto Ri-co and Busby, Montana. Following the 10:30 service, there will be a 'thank you' meal provided, courtesy of Youth on Mission partici-pants. We hope to see all of you there!

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August 2017 The Lamplighter

Margaret L. Soendker

Linda Amor

Jessica Fette

Janice Williams

Ruth Baker

Kyla Fisher

Amber Thomas

Abby Fiene

B.J. Salyer

Anthony Thaller

Roger Erdman

Bessie Begemann

Shawn Davenport

Alivia Kumm

George Lefman

Danny Lefman

Charlie Camp

Tracy Fiene

Emily Moore

Mark Dryer

Derek Augustine

Frank Riekhof

Susan Augustine

Dixie Thaller

John Koenig

Teresa Alberswerth

Mark Gross

Jana Nowack

Brooklyn Bergsieker

Courtney Bergsieker

Jadyn Swartz

Easton Dull

Peggy Pragman

Bob Rauch

Julia Gillie

Jamie Nichols

David Thaller

Kimberly Nevels

Mary Brueggenjohann

Dennis Wahn

Shirley Nowack

Lowell Dickmeier

Harold Hoflander

Judi Knipmeyer

J. J. Brockman

Suellen Rinne

Miranda Fiene

Ethan McCabe

Natalie Fiene

Bob Stephenson

Rickie Goring

Brent Fette II

Jill Warren

Gene Starke

Blake Carminucci

Blayke Baxter

Sevier Hoefer

Anne Kreigh

Mary Milligan

Dru Iles

Hayes Niemeier

Amanda Gash

Scott Cretzmeyer

Carolyn Rauch

Teagan Steinkuhler

Felicia Leonard

Michael Jordan

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Best Wishes for August Birthdays go to...

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Sunday school’s origins

Sunday school began in England as early as 1751. Better known is Robert Raikes’ work in Gloucester 30 years later. Concerned about poor children who worked in factories six days a week and often turned to crime, he of-fered classes on the only day kids were free. Soon various organizations of-fered a loose network of such Sunday schools, which taught basic reading and writing, using the Bible as a text.

Ten years later, Samuel Slater started the first U.S. Sunday school in his Rhode Island textile mills. By the mid-1800s, Sunday school attendance was an almost-universal childhood experience. As society became more secular and public education was mandated by the 1870s, Sunday schools focused on spiritual practices: prayers, hymns, catechism knowledge and Scripture memorization.

Well into the 20th century, Sunday school served as the church’s main outreach tool. Many adults fondly remember their teachers and lessons, and Sunday school continues to play a significant part in faith development.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Jon and Kali (MacLean) Rechter-man were united in marriage Satur-day, July 22, at Salem.

Best wishes for a blessed life together.

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From the Church Records

Financial Report:

General Fund Balance 6/01/17

Current deposits

Current expenses

Current Fund Balance 6/30/17

$12,266

$10,570

$16,404

$ 6,432

Building Fund:

Current Fund Balance 6/01/17

Current deposits

Current expenses

Current Fund Balance 6/30/17

$14,781

$ 695

$ 100

$15,376

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O.C.W.M. (Member Contributions for June) $423

August 2017

8:30 a.m. June Attendance 10:00 a.m.

30 6-4-17 104

27 6-11-17 92

30 6-18-17 64

25 6-25-17 137

28 Average

Total Average 127

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JOHN KNOX VILLAGE AND MEYER CARE CENTER BIBLE STUDY

There won’t be Bible Study in August. Bible Study will resume in September.

HARVESTERS SCHEDULE

First Assembly of God Church of Higginsville hosts a Harvesters Community Food Network distribution of food on the third Thursday of every month. The date in August is Thursday, August 17. The work day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends approximately at Noon. After the food is distributed, volunteers are asked to stay and help clean up the area. Anyone willing to help is asked to call 660-584-3372, (First Presbyterian Church), and leave your name, phone number, and mailing address. Wear comfortable clothes.

OPEN HOUSE BEING HELD FOR DALE PARSON’S RETIREMENT:

Immanuel United Church of Christ in Sedalia will be hosting an Open House Reception on behalf of the Western Association for Dale Parson’s retirement on Sunday, August 20, 2017 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. in the Fellowship Hall. All are invited to attend this reception to wish Dale well in his retirement as he takes his “Third Third Step” in his life. Gifts in appreciation of Dale (& Debra's) Ministry may be sent to : Dennis Zeller, Western Association Treasurer, 34502 East Murphy School Road, Grain Valley, MO 64029. Please make checks out to: “Western Association” with “Dale Parson” on the Memo line. May God Bless Dale and his family in whatever their future holds.

SAVE THE DATE

Rev. F. Dale Parson’s announced his retirement during the Conference Annual Gathering in June. The confer-ence is holding a farewell celebration August 26, at Co-lumbia UCC. His last official day with the conference will be September 9. The OPEN HOUSE will be at COLUMBIA UCC, August 26, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Lunch is being planned for around 12 noon with the Litany of Release following.

Holiness 2.0

For the Hebrews, who had experienced the an-guish of slavery and exile, holiness had to do with separation. Adherence to sacred law [ensured] that they would not be absorbed into a foreign culture, a legitimate fear for them as a people. The Law was quite functional in preserving their Jewish identity.

[But] Jesus turns this custom upside down. Ra-ther than insist on separation, he preaches inclu-sion. Rather than remove himself from “sinners,” he joins with them in love. For Jesus, holiness is about connection, not separation. It is about put-ting aside the fear of our own alienation and anni-hilation while trusting in love to heal every breach.

—Quantum Grace, Judy Cannato

The world’s wonders

Never question the truth of what you fail to understand, for the world is filled with wonders.

— L. Frank Baum, Rinkitink in Oz

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CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING

JUNE 15, 2017, – 7:30 pm The regular meeting of the Salem Church Council was held Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 7:30 pm in the Board Room. The members present were Delbert Goetz, Pastor Tommy, Felicia Leonard, Ronnie Bergsieker, David Starke, Kevin Berry, Janice Hoefer, and Peggy Pragman. Keri Borchers was unable to attend. In absence of President Keri, Del-bert Goetz, Vice-President called the meeting to order. Pastor Tommy led the group in devotion, Psalms 116, and prayer. Minutes were read and ap-proved. Felicia gave the treasurer’s re-port with balances of $12,266 in Gen-eral Fund and $14,780 in Building and Grounds Fund. The Pastor’s mileage of 535 miles for $286.23 was presented for payment. Motion was made and seconded to approve the treasurer’s report and to pay mileage. The Pastor’s report noted the bap-tism for Layden Kirchhoff, along with communion on Pentecost Sunday. The Ministerial Fellowship decided to sup-port the MVCAA back-to-school ef-fort. The Rev. Ginny Brown Daniel, the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ Confer-ence Minister, will be at Salem Church Sunday, June 18th, to preach both ser-vices. Tommy will provide refresh-ments after to have a chance to meet us. The Conference Annual Gathering was held last week-end in Columbia and Ginny announced that her minis-try theme for the coming year will be “Imagining God’s Beloved Community Now.” Ginny and the Conference Council will explore becoming an Open and Affirming conference and second part of theme will be initiating conversations with the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference on some sort of

cooperation or merger possibilities for our two conferences. No details were given, but promised that she or the Council will keep us informed. During

the Conference, Dale Parson, our Asso-ciate Conference Minister read a letter in which he announced his imminent re-tirement. He did not give an official date. Dale has been an ACM for 21 years and has had a particularly close relation-ship with the Western Association. No celebration was announced yet. YOM will leave July 1st for Puerto Rico and for Busby, Montana on July 22nd. Commis-sioning moment will be held for both groups at the 10:00 service on June 25th. On July 2nd, the visiting preacher will be Ron Sebring and Jane Fisler Hoffman will preach on July 9th. A wedding will be held at Salem on July 22 for Kali McLean and Jon Rechterman. Tommy and Crystal will be taking vacation end of Aug. or first of Sept., he will get dates to us. Correspondence read by Delbert in-cluded Thank You from CUE 2017 con-tributions (Lenten Offering). Thank You from Whitaker Family. Request from Senior Center, tabled to next meeting. Request from Show-Me Christian Youth Home,( Donated in Jan.) Council voted to do nothing at this time. Delbert read announcement for Presbyterian Church 175th Anniversary. Tommy suggested we send a letter and Keri will send an ac-knowledgment. Council also voted to send plant. Peggy will take care of order-ing. A request was received from Jessica Fisher at MVCAA and Greg Fine with Ministerial Alliance, for Back-to-School event July 20. Sara supplied a list of items needed. Council voted to gather, one subject notebooks and plastic 2 pocket folders. Council will ask congre-gation to help with donations. Christian Ed: No meeting, to meet next Monday. Building and Grounds: David reported he had planed the door in Sanctuary. Tommy mentioned con-cern of tree at parsonage, David will check it. Cemetery: Kaiser is still re-questing something to be done on east entrance of cemetery. He needs to talk to Dennis. Memorial: Peggy reported no meeting. Stewardship: Ronnie reported no meeting. Evangelism: Felicia

reported doing Tools for Honoring Fathers in June. No meeting. Wor-ship: Janice, no meeting. Ushers: Kevin and Janice reported have for Aug. The changing of council reps. on committees are Janice Hoefer to Worship, Kevin Berry to Ceme-tery, and Delbert Goetz to Chris-tian Ed. The remainder will stay the same. Unfinished Business: GFI Dig-ital: received e-mail, contract stand-ing. Missouri Mid-South Confer-ence Annual Gathering June 8-10 in Columbia, Tommy, Janice Hoefer, and Cindy Nuelle did at-tend. US Bank General Fund to be moved, after discussion Council made motion and seconded to let Sarah decide. New Business: Insurance reim-bursement check, $587.08 (amount for siding repair on parsonage (came out of Corder Money Mar-ket) was received. Motion made and seconded to put back in Cord-er Money Market. Overeaters Anonymous donation $22.08 was received. They dissolved. Motion was made and seconded to put in general fund to go toward Presby-terian Church’s plant. Sarah will go on vacation July 22-30, she will get subs. Notification of Faith and Family night @ Royal’s Stadium will be Sat. Aug. 5th. Motion made and seconded to put Information in Lamplighter. Von Self Defense seminar, was tabled. Next Council meeting Date: July 20, 2017, 7:30 p. m. There being no further busi-ness, the meeting was adjourned by saying the “Lord’s Prayer”. Respectfully submitted Peggy Pragman, Council Secretary

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August 2017 Page 6

Special Days in August

July 30-August 2 6-8:00 p.m. Vacation Bible School

August 6 147th Anniversary Sunday for Salem UCC

August 11 Movie in the Parking Lot

Movie in the Parking Lot!

MOVIE IN THE PARKing Lot

Pop on over for a fun outdoor family movie night

Friday, August 11, 2017,

8:00 PM Fun Activities

8:20 PM Showtime

1500 N Main St. Higginsville, MO

Bring your popcorn, pillow, blanket, and lawn chairs

Free drinks

Women’s Fellowship Circle

Schedules for August

Esther Circle – August 2, 10:00 a.m., at Wanda Niemeier’s home, hostess Wanda Niemeier.

Mary Martha Circle – August 3, 1:30 p.m., in the Salem Board Room, hostess Betty Rinne.

Ruth Circle – August 2, 2:00 p.m., at Pat Haston’s home, hostess Pat Has-ton, program Annie Fiegenbaum.

Eve Circle – August 1, 7:00 p.m., at Sharon Telgemeier’s home, hostess and program Sharon Telgemeier.

God of tomorrows

This is the blessed life — not anxious to see far in front, nor eager to choose the path, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time. The Shepherd was always out in front of the sheep. He was down in front. Any attack upon them had to take him into account.

Now God is down in front. He is in the tomor-rows. It is tomorrow that fills [people] with dread. God is there already. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass him before they can get to us.

—F.B. Meyer

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THANK YOU

Thank you church family for your caring expressions of sympathy at the passing of my brother.

Sincerely,

Clifford and Dorothy Peck

THANK YOU

Thanks to everyone who remembered me in various ways during my stay in New Haven Living Center in Odessa and since my returning home. It meant so much.

Grace Niemeier

THANK YOU

I would like to thank everyone that sent cards, phone calls, and had prayers for me after my recent surgery. I appreciated it very much.

Margaret L. Soendker

THANK YOU

Jamie Smith for planning our summer music. That was a huge commitment and we really appreciate all you do.

Thank you to everyone that has and will share their talent of music with us this summer.

Vacation Bible School 2017

This year’s theme for Vacation Bible School is Rome, Paul and the Under-ground Church. VBS started July 30th and it will conclude on August 2nd. Thanks to everyone that has volunteered for VBS this year. Your time is greatly

appreciated. Thanks, June Howell

NEWS FROM THE CHURCH COUNCIL

When I was growing up a much- used phrase at my house was: “Better safe than sorry”, which was used when discussing wearing a coat, putting on sunscreen or looking your best before leaving the house. “Better safe than sorry” has led the Salem Church Council to move toward securing our facilities, specifically the office area, with a security system.

We have seen changes in our society where increased security has become a necessary part of our daily lives--schools, hospitals, and nursing homes have secured their facilities with the safety of their workers and clients as a top priority. Within the past two years, it has become increasingly evident that even Higginsville, Missouri, is not immune to safety concerns. Salem UCC is a highly visible entity on Main Street and is frequently visited by people who have unclear in-tentions, sometimes ending in a call to our local law enforcement. Of-ten, our church staff and members are alone in an area with only one way out if confronted with someone whose intentions are not sincere. We house many groups who meet within our walls throughout the day who seek a safe, quiet place to meet. The Council feels that it is our job to make sure our staff and members feel safe within our walls, we would rather be “Safe than sorry”, and would rue an event that harmed our facilities or members when we had the means to prevent such an event.

Salem Church Council is looking at the safety of our staff and members as our top priority, therefore, over the next several weeks you may witness some minor changes to the church—all doors will be locked during the day with the only access point through the office door where you will have to buzz in to gain entrance; during the lunch hour, if no staff member is present, the church will be locked. These are minor changes, which should not impede your continued use of the church.

The security system consists of a camera and buzzer placed at the entry door (ramp area) to the office area. The church staff will be able to see the door and the person making the request via a monitor before allowing admittance. This system is very similar to what Lafa-yette County C-1 Schools have had in place for several years. A more formal explanation will be given once the system is in place. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Council. Mi-chael J. Fox is quoted as saying, “I like to encourage people to realize that any action is a good action if it's proactive and there is positive intent behind it”, which is the best summation of the Council’s deci-sion in this matter.

Keri Borchers~Church Council President

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FROM THE BOARD OF ELDERS For many years, Salem, other churches and other organizations have participated in the Festival of Sharing. The Festival of Sharing is a cooperative response to world hunger, poverty and injustice and seeks to raise awareness of its cause and to address solutions. The Festival of Sharing is an interfaith, statewide celebration and gathering of re-sources that is held on the third Saturday in October each year. When people of faith come together, our sharing makes a positive and powerful difference in the lives of people in need. Members of Salem have participated in the Festival of Sharing through many different projects and causes, including quilts made by our quilters for the auction, coupons, blankets, specialized packets that are passed out following a disaster or other incident, along with church members donating time and labor for repackaging and loading bulk produce items that are distributed to those in need. This year the Board of Elders have chosen two projects that we are asking members of Salem to participate with, they are “Missouri Paper Product Pack and Missouri Personal Hygiene Pack.” Attached with this article is a description of how they benefit those who truly need our help. Please consider donating any of the many items in-volved with these packets that are listed. The Elders have placed a container in the Overflow to collect your items. We will accumulate them and deliver them on October 21, 2017.

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Salem United Church of Christ

1500 Main Street

Higginsville MO 64037

Non-Profit Organization

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Permit NO. 104

Higginsville MO 64037

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The Lamplighter

August • Salem United Church of Christ • Higginsville, Missouri

The Lamplighter

Is a monthly newsletter of :

Salem United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. Tommy Faris Keri Borchers, President

1500 Main Street Pastor Church Council

Higginsville, MO 64037 Sarah J. Berry Mark Gross, President

(660) 584-3603 Secretary Board of Elders

Fax: 584-5666 Doris Jane Stoner Judi Knipmeyer, President

E-Mail: salemucc@ctcis.net Organist Board of Christian Education

Early Worship Jamie Smith June Howell

8:30 a.m. Music Director Christian Education Coordinator

Worship with Anne Iles Lindsey Rolf, Volunteer

Sunday School Youth Music Director Assistant Church Secretary

10:00 a.m. Lowell Grumke

Custodian