The First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights 50 Stratmore Street Pittsburgh, PA 15205-3640 Website: www.chup.org June 2012 Phone: 412-921-6153 Pastor: David B. Carver Email: [email protected] On September 20, 1954 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette carried a feature under the headline “Ballet Company Here Leases Local Theater”. The article goes on to describe how Mr. Francis Mayville, the Managing Director for the International Repertory Ballet Company had entered into a long-term lease for a property at 12 Stratmore Avenue. According to Mayville, the 299-seat theater would be perfect for the ballet because it was accessible to town (via the streetcar on Crafton Boulevard) and just the right sized venue for such an activity. “The factor of ballet at popular prices is also an essential consideration in our decision to play at Crafton Heights. At our new International Theater, three prices will prevail for all ballet performances, $1.65, $1.10, and 55 cents (all tax included).” Mayville announced renovations that included a coffee bar and an enlarged stage (you can read the article at http://news.google.com/newspapers? nid=1129&dat=19540920&id=O3xIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lWoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2558,5708755) I mention that because every time I talk about the Open Door, I begin by saying, “The building was a theater for a long time and then it was empty, and then the church took it over and turned it into a youth center…” When I speak this way, I am aware of the fact that for years and years, people went to 12 Stratmore to see movies, plays, concerts, and yes, ballet. Yet this month, we celebrate the fact that the Open Door has been The Open Door for twenty-five years. A quarter of a century. If I’m right, the property at 12 Stratmore has been a youth and community center longer than it was The International Theater. Church, that is remarkable. What a testimony to God’s faithfulness and to your steadfast perseverance! Young people who came to the Open Door as bored teens and pre-teens are active in virtually every field of service and commerce now: there are doctors and lawyers and preachers and construction workers; mothers and fathers and volunteers; teachers and artists and filmmakers and clerks…the paths that our young people have taken are varied and in many ways known only to God. But thousands of children and young people have a little marker in their lives indicating that for a week or for twelve years, there was a place where they found some measure of acceptance and fun and challenge and, God willing, a loving adult. That is something, church. That is something indeed. In June 2012 we begin our observance of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Open Door with a special worship service on June 3. Please plan to be present as we give thanks to God for the places where we have been, and offer our prayers for the road that is ahead of us. Look for more information regarding a Fundraising Golf Outing in August and a celebratory banquet in October in the days to come. For now, though, let’s mark this occasion for the Open Door where it began…in prayer and worship. I look forward to joining you on June 3 at 11:00! See you in worship, Pastor Dave The Runner June 2012 Page 2 Special Events Monthly Meetings June Congregational Life …….June 4th @6:30 p.m. Open Door Steering……..June 7th @ 6:30 p.m. Preschool Board ………..June 6th @ 6:00 p.m. Deacons ………………….No meeting in June Session ………………….No meeting in June 3rd 6th 7th 9th 12th 15th 17th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 27th 30th 8:15 pm 6:00 pm 4 pm 8:15 pm 10 am 6:45 pm 8:00 am 6:45 pm 9 am The Open Door Sunday Softball Game Dining With A Purpose Preschool Mini Golf Softball Game Preschool Art in the Park Happy Father’s Day Softball Game Happy Father's Day Pittsburgh Presbytery Pirate Game CHUP Work day All Church Picnic Softball Game Youth Group Car Wash General Assembly Conference June 2012 Sunday, June 3 - 11 AM Join us at our morning worship service – we will be celebrating The Open Door’s 25th Anniversary! This is a chance for us to pray for the ministry, the staff, and the neighborhood. Sunday, June 3 - 7 PM Youth Group at the Church Sunday, June 10 - 7 PM The Youth Group FINALE at the church! Last Youth Group of the season. Monday, June 25 - CROSS TRAINERS summer day camp will begin at the church. This camp is open to anyone who has completed grades K – 7 and runs every day. Call Jason Dix or Melanie Newsom to register (412-921-6153). Saturday, June 30 - 9 AM – 2 PM Car Wash at Busy Beaver in Crafton/Ingram Plaza. Bring your old clothes, your dirty cars, and your elbow grease – this is the last fund-raiser for the year, and we need to raise money for the mission trip (see below). Note that the permission slips for the Mission Trip are due at this time. If you have quesons about anything related to the Youth Group Program, please contact Pastor Dave or Melanie at the church (412-921-6153) or send a note to [email protected]. The Runner June 2012 Page 3 Birthdays 1st 3rd 7th 9th 11th 15th 16th Tracy Eagan Leah Stutzman Joe Szumigalski Evan Walker Jimmy Fuhs Channing Crowell Sharon Carver Charmaine Kososki Cheryl Prepelka Miriam Bode 17th 19th 21st 22nd 26th 27th 28th 29th 30th Samantha Marie Eadie Vivian Ciechanowski Jason Dix Dave Carver Megan Stutzman Linda Piper Carl Martelli Stel Lightell Don Prevost Dining With a Purpose Thursday, June 7th at 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall in CHUP Join us once again for a delicious meal prepared for you by friends. Our menu will include: Baked Ham, potato salad, a fresh tossed green salad, assorted side dishes and delicious desserts. This month’s donations will go to Malawi Mission. We will learn more about how we are making a difference in the lives of the Malawian people. Remember to tell a committee member if you’ll be joining us or sign up, so we can have a seat for you at the tables. Committee members are: Cheri Mack, Jessica Simcox, and Joann Mikula. Call 412-921-6153 to reserve your space. The Runner June 2012 Page 4 Preschool Art in the Park Join us for a morning filled with art and fun on June 15 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Stratmore Street Park. Come out and see your friends and have some fun! We will have painting activities, the water table and a few fun crafts. Bring your friends! This is a free event for all ages! Putt for Preschool Mark your calendars for June 9th 3:30-7:30 pm for a Mini Golf Fundraiser at Scally’s in Moon Twp. All proceeds will benefit Crafton Heights Community Preschool. Tickets will include a picnic style dinner with BBQ pork sandwiches, hamburgers, hotdogs, assorted side salads and cold drinks. There will also be raffle tickets for assorted huge gift baskets. We are looking for sponsors who would like be “Team Captains” with 4-6 people on a team. The cost to sponsor a team is $125.00. Prizes will be awarded for best dressed team, best overall score and most hole in one shots. This family event is for people of all ages and skills. Please join us for a fun filled day playing mini golf while supporting an important ministry in Crafton Heights. Proceeds will go towards our scholarship fund ensuring that all families have a high quality preschool program at an affordable cost. This fall we would like to support 6 families with tuition assistance so that the children most in need will receive the early childhood education they deserve. If you would like to make a difference in Join us for a mini a child’s life, please come out and show your support! golf tournament June 9th For more information about the event, prices for individual tickets, or on how you can help the preschool, call 412-921-6153 or email Cheri @ [email protected]. The Runner June 2012 Page 5 CHUP Workday Saturday, June 23rd 8:00 am -12:00 pm Join us Saturday morning as we finish some projects at the church. Here are some projects we’d like to accomplish: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Painting the bathrooms Sanitizing the nursery rooms Planting trees and weeding Clearing out the 3rd floor Building shelves in the storage room. Please talk to Glenn Mack, Dani Anderson or Cheri Mack about how you can help. The General Assembly is convening in Pittsburgh for their annual conference, June 30, through July 7, 2012. If you would like the opportunity to be a part of this "super bowl" for Presbyterians, you can volunteer to serve for a variety of needs during the week. The Presbytery needs 2000 volunteers in total during this week-long event. There are some additional advantages to volunteering during this week as well... Think "Fireworks and the convention center"... The Choir may sing as part of the larger choir too. We will hear more about this in the weeks to come. Here is a website where you can find out more about the events planned: www.cola2012.org. If you have an interest, please see Glenn Mack. The Runner June 2012 Page 6 Walk for a Healthy Community Barb & Don Prevost, and Jess, Henry & Campbell Simcox participated in the Highmark 5K Walk for a Healthy Community on a beautiful Saturday morning, May 19th, on Pittsburgh’s North Side. They enjoyed the fellowship, exercise, and raised $100 for Angels’ Place. Watch for information on next year’s event so you can join us! Food Cupboard Needs Restocking!! Once again, our Food Cupboard has been heavily used in the last month, so we are in need of many donations. Please consider contributing the following items as you are able: • cereal and instant oatmeal • canned soup and crackers • complete boxed meals • pasta and sauce • canned fruits and vegetables • toiletries, such as bar soap, shampoo, cream rinse, toothbrushes, and toothpaste • cleaning products, such as dish soap, spray cleaner & sponges, and • paper goods, such as toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues UPDATE on September Malawi Mission A team of missionaries from Malawi will be in Pittsburgh from Thursday, September 13th until Tuesday, September 25th. The representative for our sister church, Mbenjere CCAP, has been changed to Fletcher Ismaila Tawesa (Age ~ 43). If you would be willing to host Fletcher for half or all of the visit, please contact Sharon Carver to discuss arrangements. We will also be arranging multiple opportunities for diverse members of our congregation to interact with Fletcher and other Malawian missionaries during the trip, including the General Secretary, Alex Maulana, so watch for details in future issues of the Runner. Saluting Our Graduates!! This spring, we have congregants graduating from high school, college, and a masters program. Congratulations to all of the following graduates: • Emma Richardson (Oakland Catholic High School) • Jonathan Walker (Propel Andrew Street High School) • Lucas Barkley (Duquesne University) • Lyndsay Edder (Chatham University) • Amanda Kish (Duquesne University) • Brian Mack (Westminster College) • Megan Salinetro (Westminster College) • Becky Edelman (University of Pittsburgh, M.A. in Education) • Brian Buckley (Carnegie Mellon University, M.A. in Music / Collaborative Piano) Attention all graduates! The church is looking to recognize the accomplishments of all those scholars who have completed High School, College, or Graduate School. If you are (or know of someone who is) graduating in 2012, please call or email the office. Thanks! The Runner June 2012 Page 7 Spiritual Growth Experience for Women The weekend of April 20th, nine women from our congregation joined about 50 others at Crestfield Camp and Conference Center for a retreat focusing on understanding ourselves as “good and faithful” women (Matthew 25:14-21). The Rev. Carmen Cox Harwell led our sessions, primarily focusing on a study of the book of Esther. Though the weather was iffy, we enjoyed the fellowship, reflection, prayer, challenge, and fun with a wide range of women from across our Presbytery. We hope you’ll consider joining us next year! By Jeff McCormick That really meant something to me and it's something that has claimed my thoughts many times since we've returned. To begin, when we first arrived on our worksite in Texas, I saw a community and a home structure that I was not accustomed to. I quietly wondered if these people spend their days longing for a better place to live. There was a part of me that felt bad. I was glad to be a part of the crew that would be changing the landscape of their everyday life. As the days went on and we became more familiar with the homeowner, Gustavo, and his family I saw my feelings shifting. It remained true that their home left something to be desired. It was a shell. We wanted to make the house more complete and the family wanted just the same and probably moreso. What struck me the most was their tight knit family. I sincerely felt like I was among a family that loved each other. They were happy and full of love even within the confines of the house that I felt bad for them living in and even after their numerous life changing misfortunes. I was told once that every relationship is a like a mirror that reflects something different about you and in my brief relationship with Gustavo and his family I saw a confused person. Sure their house was subpar, but their family and their love for each other was just the opposite and how dare I feel bad for them when in the reflection I might've figured out that I just may have been the one in real need of a mission trip. Their love cannot be taken away by any hurricane or storm nor built by any crew with all the tools in the world. I can't pretend like this small story has totally cleared up my confusion and struggles about God and the life he calls us to lead. I struggle to this very minute. Pastor Dave said something at my mother's funeral in March of 2005 that I've never forgotten (though I don't recall it word for word but to summarize) in that struggling with God is better than nothing because to struggle is basically realizing that there is even a reason for a struggle. I try to keep this thought with me as a building block. That being said the other part of Texas that I will never forget is the fellowship with the rest of the team. I found myself thoroughly looking forward to each night's devotionals and song time. I couldn't wait to question the devotional leader (partly for discussion but also to reveal some of my own issues/struggles). It gave me a very good understanding on the benefits of good fellowship from the support of the group, the ability to talk about similar struggles/breakthroughs and just the family bond that you form while working under the same laws of love. I will never forget this trip and I will always feel a bond with those that shared the journey. I continue to ask for the church's prayers for my daily struggles and have continued gratefulness for the learning I've been able to do and for the support I've received. Reflections on the Texas Mission Trip The Runner June 2012 Page 8 The last Faith Builders classes will be on June 17 except for the Adult Fellowship Class which will meet on June 24 and at 9 a.m. in July and August. The Tuesday morning Crafts/Bible study group will end for the summer with a lunch on June 5. Come one, Come all to the 2012 CHUP Church Picnic When: June 24th Where: Kennedy Township Park, William Andrews Shelter, Lower Level Once again you can expect: Fun, Food and Fellowship for all ages - Young and Old Be a CHUP Mad Hatter… Come wearing a Hat of your choice and you could win a prize for most creative, most artistic, or most thought provoking. We are also trying to put a game together for the Church picnic that sees how well we know the people we worship with each week. Please come up with an interesting fact about yourself that other people may not know about you and send it to [email protected] by Sunday, June 17th. We will once again be providing Fried Chicken, Rigatoni and drinks. We would like you to bring a side dish (i.e.. Salad, Baked Beans, etc.) or a Dessert. The Runner June 2012 Page 9 The Open Door Cross-Trainers 2012 Dates: June 25 - July 26 (Monday - Friday) Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (working parents...ask about our extended day) Register: There are still spots available, but they are filling up quickly. To register, pick up a registration form at the First UP Church of Crafton Heights (50 Stratmore Street), or call Jason at 412-921-6153. Sponsor a Camper If you are familiar with Cross-Trainers, you may have noticed that we’ve made a number of changes to the program this year. One thing that remains the same is that we offer Cross-Trainers at no charge to the campers. We do this so as to not hinder any family with financial constraints from registering for our camp. We can only do this because of the generosity of people like you that are willing to sponsor a camper. This year, we estimate the cost of camp to be $353.72 per kid or $70.74 per week per kid. Are you in a position to sponsor a camper for the summer or for a week? If so, please mail a check payable to “The Open Door” with Cross-Trainers in the memo line to 12 Stratmore Street/Pittsburgh, PA 15205. Thank you! Feed the Staff Once again we will be looking for individuals that are willing to feed the Cross-Trainers staff. Due to the changes to the program, lunch will have to be served at the church. Are you in a position to make, pick-up, or purchase lunch for 10-12 people? If so, there will be a sign-up sheet on The Open Door bulletin board beside the church office. If you would like to provide lunch but won’t be at the church to sign-up, please let Jason know. 25th Anniversary On Friday, May 22nd, 1987 a large group of people gathered together for the grand opening of The Open Door Youth Outreach Center on 12 Stratmore Street. What an amazing blessing from God that this year we get to celebrate our 25th year of ministry at The Open Door. Take a moment to thank God for the many blessing He has bestowed on this ministry; the anonymous donation to acquire the building, the thousands of volunteers, the individuals donations, the grants, and a million more. It will be hard to capture these many blessings, but we will do our best throughout the year. We have planned numerous events to help us celebrate, honor, pray, and move forward into the next 25 years. Your first opportunity to celebrate with us will be at worship on Sunday, June 3rd. We hope you can join us for a special worship and prayer time. You should also save the following dates: Saturday, September 15th: Fall Kick-Off Street Fair Sunday, October 7th: Dinner Banquet at LeMont Restaurant There will also be a golf outing during the month of August. Stay tuned for more information about all of these events as all the details are worked out. The Runner June 2012 Page 10 Prayers, Concerns and Joys Christian sympathy to Raymond Schaffer and his family for the loss on his brother-in-law, Bill Sullivan. E-mail & phone changes: Bill & Fay Reynolds have a new e-mail address: [email protected]. Also, Eleanor Arlet’s new phone number is: 412-294-3125. Congratulations to Jason and Kelly Dix who were married on April 29, 2012!! 2012 Open Door Prayer List ♦ God would be glorified through the ministry of The Open Door. ♦ Life-changing relationships would develop between the kids and the volunteers. ♦ The Steering Committee would provide visionary leadership and direction according to God’s will and discern the best use of the many resources He blesses us with. ♦ God would continue to provide new means of financial and volunteer support for programs, staffing, and facility upgrades. ♦ That The Open Door would be a bridge for the youth and families of this area to the ministry of The Crafton Heights UP Church. ♦ The love of Jesus Christ would be experienced in all of the relationships created through The Open Door. Articles for the July Runner are due on or before Sunday, 6/17/12. First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights 50 Stratmore Street Pittsburgh, PA 15205 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO. 862 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED “The Runner” 2012 Worship Schedule Faith Builders — 9:30 a.m. Worship — 11:00 a.m. A monthly News Letter Published by The First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights 50 Stratmore Street Pittsburgh, PA 15205 Articles due the 3rd Sunday of each month