Summer 2015 Newsletter
An amazing almost-nine years…
Megan and I came to Corinth in July 2006, with a toddler and a newborn, to be your co-pastors.
We had graduated from seminary the year before and, full of hope and determination, wanted to
find out where God was working in Dayton and through the church community, and join Him
there.
I remember distinctly during the weekend when the Pastoral Nominating Committee offered us the
call, and after we had accepted, one of the members of the PNC pulled us aside and told us, “If the
church doesn’t grow, we'll close in three years!" Challenge extended! Looking back, this was actually
the best news about the church, because it created an entrepreneurial spirit throughout the
congregation. Every person was on board to try new things, see if they worked, and if they didn't, to
let them die and move on.
One of the first things we tried was a second worship service, called "the casual service" in the
multipurpose room in the CE building at 9am. I played the guitar and Megan played the keyboard. It
was a lot of fun while it lasted, but never really took off. But the act of trying something new, and
letting it fail without worrying too much about it was one of those things that helped cement
Corinth's attitude shift from one of worry, to one of quiet, easy-going, confidence that pervades the
church today. Another big plus was that Phil King came to Corinth through the the casual service and
stayed after it ended!
After two and a half years of co-pastoring, Megan took another call in the presbytery.
She says that leaving Corinth, where she felt such love and warmth, was one of the
hardest things she had ever done. But our family really needed a second income, and as
it turned out, Megan experienced immense growth and made a huge impact during her
time at Southminster.
I moved up to full time and became Corinth’s sole pastor.
They say that it takes around three years for a pastorate to start bearing fruit, and this
was certainly true at Corinth. In 2008, The church began to grow! We had our first new
member class! Soon after, Barb Severson became the organist again, after a brief 20-orso-year interlude.
After this encouraging infusion of new vitality into the congregation, we
got serious about intentional growth. Together with the session, I put a
strategy in place that is so simple it's almost silly to call it a strategy. But it
is probably its simplicity that made it work so well.
Basically, I noticed that I (and most other people I knew) had this weird
assumption that we needed to “trick people into coming to church” by
offering other services or programs in the hopes that after being served in
one way by the church, they would decide, without being asked, to come on
Sunday morning.
To correct this, we followed some good practices of other churches (most
notably Nelson Searcy’s books, “Fusion” and “Activate”) and created a plan
aimed at motion. Our plan was to do something fun for the community, and
at that event, invite folks to a “Big Sunday” worship service, a Sunday
worship service on a set date, when the first installment of a new, easilyPage 1 of 9
Pastor’s Report 2006-2015:
11 Weddings
15 Funerals
20 Baptisms
56 New Members
accessible, sermon series would begin. Then at that worship service, we would invite new people
back for the next Sunday, and at that worship service, or by following up with the information we
collected on the (then-innovative, now just-the-way-we-do-it) Connection Cards, we would invite
them to join one of our new Life Groups.
Though it rarely worked in the straight-forward way we wanted it to, it did work! For instance, the
Dawkins family first heard about the church through two of our biggest outreaches: the Sling Share,
and the Block Party. And they came, and joined, and became not only a part of our community, but
leaders in it! (A special recognition of Geneva Carnahan belongs here. Not only has she and her
team made and given away an incredible amount of baby slings to mothers in our community, but
have given an equal number of invitations to Corinth, many of which have been accepted and become
real church relationships.) It is because of this invitational, and welcoming spirit, present throughout
our congregation, that Corinth has grown in number and ministry. All the good strategies in the
world couldn't have worked without it.
It is this welcoming, relaxed-yet-determined, spirit that has allowed
Corinth to grow in different directions, too. We moved from welcoming
Laurent and Nicole Muvunyi into our church to sending our first
international mission team to Rwanda within a few years because of it.
And it is this spirit that enabled Corinth to revive its ministry to children,
too. It started out small. We decided to start with kids from 6 to 10 years
old, mostly because that was who we had in the neighborhood. The
pastor’s study had originally been a children’s sanctuary, so it returned to
its intended use, and I relocated. We redesigned the worship service to
once again include a children’s sermon. Our teachers brushed up on a new
model of leading children’s worship.
It took months of energy and work, and soon all the pieces and people were ready.
Every time I saw the neighborhood kids, we would talk about the date and time that
they were supposed to come. They all said they would be there.
So on the Sunday we had chosen to begin, the bells rang, worship began, and the time
for the children’s sermon came, but no children had. I remember that Barb Zeh had
tears in her eyes. I did too, as I sat alone on the chancel steps and talked about the
importance of our ministry to children, and that we must keep praying and working
hard at it.
Right then, in walked four little children. They were late! Or maybe God had kept
them back for a dramatic entrance. Either way, it was perfect. They had a wonderful
experience and came back the following week along with more friends.
Today, in addition to the children’s worship service, Corinth has had classes for 3-4year-olds, 5-6-year- olds, and a nursery for babies. And the children’s sermon is wellattended every Sunday.
Soon, Corinth will host its third Vacation Bible School. Thanks to the leadership of Jan Huntsman,
Barb Zeh, and Karen Hamblett, Corinth has a children’s ministry that is thriving, and most
importantly, sharing the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ with children and their families.
God wanted Corinth not only to survive, but to thrive as a Church. Not just, I think, because Corinth
is so important to so many, but because God has so much left to do in Dayton. There are people in
our neighborhoods and circles of influence who will only be reached through Corinth. That's why
God brought the church back from the brink, and that's why God is going to continue to bless the
church, because Corinth will always remember its reason for existing: the gospel of Jesus Christ that
is shared best person to person, and life to life.
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What to Expect from the Transition
On the wall of pastors are the portraits of 3 interim pastors, Bob Foster, Guy McIver, and Tom
James. The only one who was here for longer than a year came after a particularly tumultuous
departure of a pastor. Since as Pastor Dave leaves, the church is in such good shape, there
isn't much reason to expect a lengthy interim pastorate. But one can never tell.
So here's what to expect after Pastor Dave leaves on May 31.
Summer 2015:
The Interim Pastor Search Committee will interview and select the Interim
Pastor, who will hopefully begin during the summer. Different preachers will fill the pulpit ever
week until the interim pastor begins.
Fall 2015:
The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) will be nominated by the Nominating
Committee, and elected by the congregation. (Nominations from the floor are always allowed at
the meeting, but it's always more helpful to make your willingness to serve known to the Session
and Nominating Committee early!) The PNC will be composed of a diverse mix of members of
the congregation and one ex-officio member from the Presbytery. It will meet weekly, creating
the church’s Ministry Information Form (MIF), like a résumé for a congregation, describing what
the church is life, and what the church wants in its next pastor. The MIF will go up on a
denominational website and be matched with pastors seeking a new call. Pastors can also selfrefer their information directly to the PNC.
The PNC will read hundreds of PIF’s, listen to sermon recordings or watch videos, interview
people by phone, and narrow the pool down to a handful of candidates. Then, several
candidates will come to Dayton for in-person interviews. God willing, the PNC will find that one
of the first round of final candidates is a good match, and the candidate will feel led the same
way. Sometimes it works out that way, relatively quickly, and sometimes it doesn't. But the most
important thing is that the PNC and congregation is patient, and waits on God’s leading for the
right pastor.
Spring/Summer 2016: Corinth welcomes its 10th installed pastor!
Pastors at Corinth
Did You Know?
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Ted Anderson
Ken Kettlewell
Bliss Cartwright
Robert Edwards
Ed Kingsbury
William Graham
Robert Foster
William Walthour
Guy McIver
David Douthett
Thomas James
Preston Dawes
Megan Collins
David Collins
1942-1950
1950-1959
1960-1964
1964-1966
1967 (Interim)
1967-1985
1985-1986 (Interim)
1986-1992
1992-1995 (Interim)
1995-2004
2004-2005 (Interim)
2006 (Interim)
2006-2008
2006-2015
Congratulations Garth!
Corinth’s seminary intern, Garth Adams, graduated from
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary on May 17. He
also passed all of his ordination exams and is ready to seek
his first ordained call. Way to go Garth!
On May 10, there was a reception for Garth’s ministry at
Corinth this year. It was very well attended, filled with warm
wishes for Garth, and featured wonderful food, perfect cake,
and loving friends and family.
Handymen
The Handymen are still in business! Although it slowed down a bit through winter, they have
managed to get a few projects completed, including ceiling light repairs and roof repairs for
Geneva Carnahan and home electrical repairs for Jean and Joan Conrad. They also cleaned
out the area of the stage where the new bathroom will be built.
Life Groups
We have three active and successful Life Groups going. They are led by Betsy Wilson,
Elizabeth Ferryman, Georgie Rogers and Jerry and Kathy Albert. The six week classes will end
the week of May 11th. Other than the leaders mentioned we have approximately twenty
participants. We are planning to begin our next sessions this coming Fall. If you have any good
ideas for Life Group subject matter, or if you might be interested in leading a group, please
contact Ted Valley (848-4865, [email protected]).
Royal Flush
Plans for the new restroom are on-track. You know by now that we received enough pledges to
pay for all of the restroom build. We almost have enough to pay for the upgraded lighting but “no
cigar!”.. we are still a couple thousand dollars short of the mark. Perhaps we can go after the
balance later and work on the lighting next year.
The Renovation Committee has had the first meeting with the contractor and subcontractor.
With the information we provided, the contractor is working up architectural plans to present to
the City of Dayton for approval. Once the city approves the plans the contractor will schedule
construction. Per the contractor, if all goes according to expectations he should get plan
approval around May 1st. We believe the new restroom should be completed well before the
Flea Market setup begins.
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Soup Sundays
Soup Sundays are about good food and fellowship— Presbyterian Essentials!
For the past year the chefs and crew have enjoyed fellowship whether it be while preparing the
meal or while setting/cleaning up, or while eating. We hope you have enjoyed your soups and
fellowship as well.
As we close this year’s soup Sundays, a Special Thank You goes out to the following for their
help: Cooks: Will Dawkins, Rob Dill, Annette May, Gene Blair, Chuck Levell, Dave Brown, and
Scheryl Reece. Support Crew: Annette May, Elizabeth Elliott, Cindy Brown, Sandy Weimer,
JoAnn Millard, Joan St. John, Gail Fleissner, Georgie Rogers, Barbara Rodgers, Chuck Levell
and friend, Joy, Barb Zeh, Judi Blair, Pam Bettendorf, and Geneva Carnahan.
The health issues weathered by committee members this year made us realize additional help
is needed and mandatory to continue into the 2015-2016 year. Later this summer, you will be
seeing sign-up sheets asking for soup Sunday helpers, people who are willing to make a
commitment and carry through with their help. We will need a special cook each month to
prepare a soup, a set up crew, a clean-up crew both for the basement kitchen and for the soup
pot (CE) kitchen. Without these additional helpers, soup Sundays may not happen.
While wanting to keep the cost of lunch as low as possible for everyone, the committee has
been monitoring the price of food, which, as you know, has been increasing. Also we have been
monitoring the monies coming in from the attendees; and thanks to donations of many when
they pay, we have been able to just break even. This past year, the cost of soup Sunday was
$4/person, children under 10 free, and donations accepted.
We will be increasing the cost of our meal in the fall to $5.00/person, children under 10 free, and
donations happily accepted. This increase will maintain the wide variety of food choices for you
and still remain family friendly and affordable.
Again thank you to all our volunteers. We remain hopeful that with additional volunteers we will
be serving soup to our members and their families this fall.
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Hymns familiar or . . . not so much
“How Great Thou Art”
This hymn took a roundabout route to the song we know and love today. In 1885 a
Swedish writer and member of Parliament, Carl Boberg, wrote a poem entitled “O
Store Gud,” literally “O Mighty God.” In English, it went something like this:
When I the world consider, which Thou has made by Thine almighty Word,
And how the web of life Thy wisdom guideth and all creation feedeth at Thy board.
Refrain: Then doth my soul burst forth in song of praise: O great God, O great God!
Carl Boburg
This bears only a vague resemblance to what we sing today. What happened? In the
1920s, an English missionary to Poland, Stuart Hine, heard a Russian version of a
German translation of Boberg’s hymn. He was impressed, and translated it, with adaptations,
expanding Boberg’s words in the first verse after experiencing a dramatic thunderstorm in the
Carpathian Mountains. The evangelist J. Edwin Orr introduced the hymn in the United States
after hearing it sung by Christians among the Naga people in India. The immense popularity of
“How Great Thou Art” dates from its regular use by soloist George Beverly Shea in Billy
Graham’s evangelistic crusades.
“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”
The words of this hymn have been attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, who lived from 1090 to
1153, so we’ll be having his 1000th birthday in a few decades. He was born to a rich and
powerful family in medieval France, but chose to become a monk, and later founded one of the
great abbeys of France, at Clairvaux.
Though his writings meditate with great emotion on Christ’s experience of the cross,
as can be seen in this text, he was also a powerful figure on the religious and
political scene (pretty much one and the same at that point). He influenced the
choice of several popes, and once that controversy was over, “preached a crusade.”
But not a Billy Graham-style crusade; a “go get the Holy Land back” crusade, which
turned out to be a disaster on many levels, and the kings leading it returned in
disgrace. Fortunately, despite these issues, what has lasted through the centuries
are the words of his writings, and this beautiful hymn.
What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.
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On February 1, 2015, our congregation hosted Lisa Magoffin, Shirley Fuchs and
Tara Elyea from Kettering Circles. As a partner church, Corinth provides a meal for
them every other month, gives financial support, and hosts a presentation about
Circles once a year (from now on, it’s NOT going to be in the winter! though we
were grateful that the weather that day was not as bad as had been predicted.
Thanks to all who came out!)
Lisa Magoffin showed how the demands of life can overwhelm a single mom by
loading up her daughter with (if you weren’t there, consciously picture this): a frying
pan, laundry detergent, a tire jack, school books, kids’ clothes, a bunch of bills, a
toilet plunger, etc. Members of the congregation played folks who volunteered a
skill, an interest, or a connection they each had to address one of her challenges,
showing how being surrounded by a community where each one helps can make all
the difference.
Tara Elyea shared her own story of spousal abuse and living in a homeless shelter
with her three children, and how the support of the Circles community had
strengthened her to move beyond these situations and forward in her life, to living in
a stable situation, enrolling at Wright State and becoming a VISTA volunteer leading
the Kettering Circles youth program.
So what is Circles? Circles is a community of people building relationships that cross class and
race lines and working to remove the barriers that keep people from moving out of poverty.
Kettering Circles meets every Tuesday night at Apex Church on Far Hills to share a meal
together. Recent after-dinner programs have included learning about healthy communication,
planning a group picnic, brainstorming ideas to address the barriers to moving out of poverty,
building small group relationships and just having fun together.
Do you think God may be calling you to be a part of this community? Here are several ways to
explore that:
When Helping Hurts book study, Tuesday, February 17 to March 24, at Apex church. Join
Kettering Circles at 5:30 for dinner (no charge); the study starts at 6:30. To register, e-mail
[email protected], or talk to Betsy Wilson, 222-7324.
Bernard of Clairvaux Corinth folks will be cooking meals for Circles on Feb. 24, April 27, June 23, Aug. 25
and Oct. 27. In other words, the fourth Tuesday of every other month, except
December, because of Christmas. Talk to Betsy Wilson to get involved.
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Retirees
Tuesday, June 2 - Marion’s Piazze, Shroyer Rd. Let’s meet at 11 a.m. to avoid the lunch crowd.
Please think about coming to our meetings. You’ll have a lot of fun, learn new things, meet nice
people and enjoy great food. Our dues are only $10/yr. Everyone invited—you don’t have to be
retired.
Presbyterian Women
All women of Corinth Church (members, non-members and guests) are invited to attend for
Bible study and fellowship. Our current study “Reconciling Paul” - 2 Corinthians is comprised of
nine lessons, concluded in May. Each lesson is led by a Circle member on a volunteer basis. In
September we will begin a new study. Please think about coming to a meeting and maybe
becoming a member.
Flea Market
Our annual flea market is scheduled for Thursday evening. Jul 16, 6-8 p,m Friday. Jul 17, 9
a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.. It will be sponsored by Corinth Presbyterian Women again,
who will receive the proceeds. When you are cleaning out closets and garages and find things
you no longer want please save them for the flea market, if you can. If you know of anyone
having a garage sale and would like to donate their leftover items to our flea market they may
bring them then also, To arrange a convenient time to bring items please call Barb Zeh,
222-7457. Wilma Grubb, church custodian, 233-4828; or Lois Billhimer, 252-5003. You may
bring items beginning July 1 through July 16 and put them on the stage, Christian Education
Bldg, You have always given such great support to this major fundraiser, and we thank you.
We know we can count on your support for this year’s flea market.
Children’s Ministry
The children have been taking a more active part in worship service recently and we plan to
continue this trend in 2015, perhaps increasing their participation. It is important for the children
to feel a part of the congregation and their worship, and it is good for the congregation to be
recipients of the joy and exuberance the children bring to the service.
If you are led to assist with our program, the following would be appreciated:
• Small treats for our Sunday School reward “treasure box”. These can be dollar store
items, books, fast food toys, gently used small toys such as trucks or stuffed
animals, children’s jewelry,etc. Ages 3-11.
• Nursery volunteers are always welcome.
youngest members 4 Sundays a year.
The average volunteer gets to enjoy our
• Teacher/teacher assistant slots are available.
Our team and the children thank everyone for their continued support of our programs. Please
continue to pray for our ministry and the children in our care.
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Birthdays and Anniversaries
5/18 Scott Mann
5/20 Inez Noble
5/21 Beverly Morgan
5/21 Bob & Delores Hipp’s Anniversary
5/22 Abbie Brown
5/23 Mike Brown
5/24 Janet Huntsman
5/27 Cindy Brown-Enriquez
5/31 Kim Hamilton
6/1 Wanda Hane, Fonda Dawkins
6/6 Ted Valley
6/10 Sashel Emory
6/12 Cynthia Rice
6/13 Judi Blair
6/15 Jim Thompson
6/19 Sean Garrigan
6/19 Kevin & Sarah (Baust) Shatzkin Anniversary
6/21 Brad Huntsman; Carly Duckson
6/24 Ruth Balas
6/26 Becky Anderson; Collette Stockum
6/29 Helen Riffe
7/6 Gus & Juanita Battaglia’s Anniversary,
7/6 Henny & Jim Tousignaut’s Anniversary
7/10 Lois Billhimer
7/12 Josephine Sweeney
7/17 Jennifer Brown
7/22 Wanda Reed
7/28 Kathy Albert; Geneva Carnahan
7/29 Joyce Marsh
8/4 Hubie Mann
8/5 Christopher Trochelman
8/9 Dorothy Gerwing
8/11 Joan Conrad
8/13 Cooper Tate; Willie Dawkins
8/14 Heather & Donnie Tate’s Anniversary
8/16 Mary Nell Horn
8/18 Ginny Jarbeau
8/19 Donnie Tate
8/21 Frank Bryant
8/23 Robert Dill
8/26 Sarah Shatzkin
8/29 Delores Hipp
Did we forget a birthday or anniversary? Sorry
about that! Please contact Barb Zeh, the clerk of
session, ([email protected] or (937) 222-7457 and
let her know, so we won’t make the same mistake
twice. Thank you!
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Calendar
Sun May 31
Tue Jun 2
Sat Jun 6
Sun Jun 7
Tue Jun 9
Thu Jun 11
Sun Jun 14
Thu Jun 18
Sat Jun 20
Sun Jun 21
Tue Jun 23
Thu Jun 25
Sun Jun 28
Sat Jul 4
Sun Jul 5
Mon Jul 6
Tue Jul 7
Thu Jul 9
Sun Jul 12
Tue Jul 14
Thu Jul 16
Fri Jul 17
Sat Jul 18
Sun Jul 19
Thu Jul 23
Sun Jul 26
10:30am Worship Service
1:45pm – 4:00pm VBS
5:30pm Phil and Bev’s Wedding
12:00pm Retirees
11:00am – 2:00pm
Heart-to-Heart Sling Share
10:30am Worship Service
11:30am Reception for Chantel Dill
1:45pm – 4:00pm VBS
7:00pm – 8:00pm La Leche Meeting
7:00pm – 8:00pm Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service
1:45pm – 4:00pm VBS
7:30pm – 8:30pm Session
1:00pm – 3:00pm Baby Wearing Group
Father’s Day
10:30am Worship Service
Cooking for Circles
7:00pm – 8:00pm Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service
11:00am – 2:00pm
Heart-to-Heart Sling Share
10:30am Worship Service
10:00am Worship Committee
12:00pm – 1:00pm Retirees
7:00pm – 8:00pm Session
10:30am – 11:30am Worship Service
7:00pm – 8:00pm La Leche Meeting
6:00pm – 8:00pm Flea Market
9:00am – 6:00pm Flea Market
9:00am – 4:00pm Flea Market
1:00pm – 3:00pm Baby Wearing Group
10:30am Worship Service
7:00pm Fifth Sundays Practice
10:30am Worship Service