St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
November Parish Paper
120 Market St.
Emden, IL 62635
217-376-3137
From the Desk of Pastor John Schurter
I was able to attend the 14th annual LCMC gathering "Reason for Hope - 1 Peter
3:15", in Des Moines, IA at the beginning of October (Thank you for sending me).
There were over 1,000 attendees gathered to worship, to attend seminar sessions, listen to various speakers and presentations, (Don Pieper spoke about the
Alpha Course), and conducted two short business meetings.
It was reported that things are well with us both spiritually and financially. LCMC
presently numbers 737 U.S. congregations and 118 international congregations.
We elected three trustees and approved the 2015 proposed budget of $1.2 million, (an 8.4% increase from last year). Note of comparison: (the proposed 2012
budget of our previous Central/Southern IL Synod was nearly $1.5 million from
140 congregations).
Folks I chatted with were very grateful to be a part of an organization that carries
out Christ's mission with very little national bureaucracy, and very capable congregations. Amen to that!
I received thanks from ILT (Institute of Lutheran Theology, a St. Peter's supported LCMC seminary), and from the two groups I serve on: the Clergy Certification
coordinator, and the LCMC Disaster Fund director.
The 2015 gathering will be held in Dallas, Texas; (and the 50 Texas congregations are very pleased to host it. Y'all come on down!) Indeed, God has been
very good to us all.
Volume 55/Issue 11/November 2014
Come worship
with us!
Sunday
Worship Service
9:00 AM
Coffee & Fellowship
10:00 AM
Sunday School
10:15-11:15 AM
First Sunday
Holy Communion
*******
Pastor Office Hours
Mon.-Thurs.
8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Pastor’s Home Phone
309-454-1815
Emergency Only Cell:
309-824-7495
Secretary Office Hours
Mon.—Fri.
9:00 AM-Noon
217-376-3137
Email us at:
stpeterlutheran@
mediacombb.net
Website
Combined Thanksgiving Eve and 1st Advent Service on 11/26/14
www.stpeteremden.org
Once again this year our Thanksgiving Eve and first Advent Service fall on the
same date. The Advent Services for Wednesday evenings are based on Isaiah
9:1-7 and the names of the Messiah found there: Great Light, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace ,and One of Us. Please join us each
Wednesday evening beginning on November 26th as we anticipate our Savior's
birth.
Mark the following dates on your calendar.
All services start at 7:00 PM on the following Wednesdays:
November 26th & December 3rd
December 10th & December 17th
Early Christmas Shopping for Religious Gifts!
There will be a Christmas gift display in the Parish Hall on Sunday, November 23rd and
Sunday, November 30th. This display consists of books, wood puzzles,
games, DVD’s, calendars, etc.
Order blanks will be available and checks may be made out to St. Peter’s Lutheran Library.
Delivery of orders will be about a week. Items are sold at cost, so the library doesn’t receive
any funds from this sale.
It is just a way to make religious gift items available to our congregation.
Any questions, contact Doris Klokkenga, librarian.
Council Meeting Highlights

Local benevolence will go towards food gift certificates for
some local families.

All the furnaces are working properly in the Sanctuary, Parish
Hall and Memorial Hall.

The cross on the west side of the church is still not working
properly. When harvest is over the trustees will take it down
and work on it.

The wooden curtain between the Parish Hall and Sanctuary
is broken again and we will call Wayne Dalton Doors to get a
quote on a new one.

Sylvia Klokkenga presented to the council an idea of having a
Parish Nurse in our congregation. After a lengthy discussion,
Sylvia and a committee will gather more information and
have an actual Parish Nurse speak to the council at the February Council Meeting.

Worship Committee suggested that we somehow advertise
our Christmas Services to the public. Council decided to
contact the Lincoln Daily New, Lincoln Courier and Delavan
Times.
General Fund
Balance on hand
Improvement Fund
Balance on hand
Memorial Fund
Balance on hand
Missionary Sponsorship Fund
Balance on hand
Theological Student Fund
Balance on hand
Preschool
Balance on hand
Investments:
$ 7,545.56
$ 16,618.83
$ 3,129.32
$ 21,927.38
$ 2,736.31
One Year Certificate of Deposit
John Deere Stock
Update from Ghana Christian Missions
from Ghana Christian Mission Newsletter
$ 79,304.84
$ 10,652.46
$ 3,874.92
Benevolence
Ghana Christian Missions
250.00
LCMC
325.50
Greetings from Lydia, our children and all the GHANA CHRISTIAN MISSION team. My Brother Ernest and I arrived safely in the U.S.A on August 19, 2014 and continue to travel through Indiana, Illinois, Missouri,
Georgia, Tennessee and Florida. Continue to pray for our travels to be
safe and productive. We return to Ghana on September 15 and will
share highlights with you after we get home. We are happy to share
some other highlights of our ministry in August with you today. Your faithful giving and prayer support enable us to continue to serve and give
HOPE to many in Ghana . We thank you.
Local Benevolence
Camp Greishiem
325.50
“For Kenya Kids”
Rev. Dennis & Lorna Meeker
325.50
Luth. Child & Family Services
325.50
LCMC Disaster Assistance
217.00
Lutheran World Relief
217.00
My friend, Sarah Gyolai of Iowa, who working with her husband and other donors donated 10 new laptops to a rural school in Kua-Agave to empower the students in computer literacy and efficiency. She writes, "On
Wednesday, August 13, my daughter Myka and I had the privilege of
traveling to the village of Kua Agave to present the school there with ten
laptop computers. This opportunity came about as the result of my family traveling briefly with Ghana Christian Missions in March. During the
trip, we learned about the work of GCM and became aware of their program to add computer labs to village schools. Because we believe in the
holistic approach of GCM (medical, church planting, education and community development), we followed our trip by inviting our friends at home
in the US to join us in furnishing computers for the Kua- Agave school.
World Mission Prayer League
217.00
Vic Hamer Water Project
217.00
Join us to celebrate the results of a powerful medical outreach led by Dr.
Dwain and Mrs. Marilyn Illman of Global Health Outreach from July 29 to
August 9 in the villages of Agbadzakope and Torve in southern Ghana.
1989 patients were treated and given free medication, 472 reading glasses given out and 85 people gave their lives to Christ. We were all
touched by the selfless service of Nurse Claudia Huddleston, who had
an entire "station" for wound care and injections. Dr. Illman testifies of
her: “Claudia was our Mother Teresa in wound care and for sure would
not have done "it for a million dollars." (Mother Teresa quote). She is
being treated aggressively for breast cancer the last 5 years but put a
hold on her chemo to serve. I am so glad The Lord led her to this ministry. Her caring ministry was unequalled”. We thank Christian Medical
and Dental Association (CMDA) and all the partners and individuals who
made this outreach a success story to the glory of the Lord.
Total
$2420.00
African Food Festival
by Vic Hamer
On November 8th there will be an " African Food
Festival" as a fund raiser for water wells in Kenya.
This years event will be held at the Loyalty Baptist
Church in Eden from 11:00 AM - 5 :00 PM.
Several African dishes will be served such as rice,
beans, a tomato salad, peanut soup and Kenyan
tea. Also, as in their tradition as a celebration,
roasted goat will be available to sample. Two local
musical groups playing will be performing and they are:
The Worthingtons and
The Gordons.
Both play gospel and
bluegrass music.
For further information contact Vic Hamer.
I want to express my appreciation to St. Peter's Church Council for the generous gift and
words on Pastor Appreciation Sunday. You are very kind. Also, thanks to so many of you
who remembered me with cards and prayers during my hospitalizations. Also for the birthday cards, to Alan and Carol for the altar flowers, Pastor Schurter's hospital visits, and other
kindnesses. In addition, thank you to all who remembered me on my birthday. Your
thoughtfulness is overwhelming.
Frank Pieper
To St. Peter's for the kind gifts, words and cards during Pastor appreciation month. You too, are appreciated!
Pr. and Holly
Thank you so much for the care package. I found everything useful and glad to have some snacks to add to my lunch.
I also appreciate the daily calendar I received and we actually read it as a family. I was pleasantly surprised to find a
gas card to help with my expenses driving to and from Heartland in Normal. Thanks again.
Megan Neikirk
Thank you for the generous care package! It’s such a nice reminder of home in the midst of studying. The thoughts
and prayers of the congregation as well as the treats in the package are amazing in the midst of studying for exams!
Thanks again.
Alissa Cross
Joy Bells
by Phyllis Hitchcock, Director & Beth Neikirk, Asst.
St. Peter’s Lutheran Sunday School is excited to have their very own handbell choir
called “Joy Bells”. Their first practice was on October 19th and the children did very well for
their first time. We practice during the Sunday School hour.
The choir hopes to have a song ready to perform at the Sunday School Christmas Program
on December 14th.
H.O.P.E Tutoring Report
by Deb Batterton, WoW Co-President
Helping Others through Praise and Encouragement (H.O.P.E.) started October 7, 2014 after
school. When the children arrived at church they were greeted by a volunteer, attendance
was checked, and then they went to the snack station. At the snack area, the first week, the
children enjoyed making a happy face cookie with their volunteer. The second week, involved
counting, grouping, and comparing M&M’s, cheerios, popcorn, marshmallows, and starbursts
from their friendship mix for their snack activity. Other snacks planned for the children during
the month is a “Healthy” and Halloween “Smile” with apples, peanut butter, marshmallows, and
raisins to remind them of the importance of good dental hygiene. Finally, the children will
make Cheesy Spiders counting spider legs. While the children eat, Betty Gail reads aloud to
the children a chapter each week from The Imagination Station-Voyage of the Vikings.
After the snack, the children go into the sanctuary to read books to their volunteer. After the reading station, the children
practice math skills.
At the end their day they enjoy the craft station. By the end of October, the children will have enjoyed making “Trust in
the Lord” magnets, “Ask, Seek, Knock” Doorknob Hangers,” Whoooo Does God Love”-Owl picture frame magnets, and
doing hidden pictures bible verse activities along with explanation of scripture.
Also, the children helped fill school bags for LWR.
H.O.P.E. has 12 children participating and 30 volunteers interacting with the children. Please continue to pray for this
program.
H.O.P.E. will not meet on Tuesday, November 4th as St. Peter’s Lutheran is a polling place.
St. Peter’s Sunday School
Operation Christmas Child
by Jayne Cross, Coordinator
Alleluia Choir sings on November 9th!
The children continue to sing during the first fifteen
minutes of Sunday
School each week.
Encourage them to sing!
They love to
“Praise the Lord with a
Song”!
The Bible Bucks Store
will be open on Sunday,
November 9th during Sunday School!
If you would like to make a monetary
donation or donate items, please contact Lisa
Miller or Nicole Briggs.
The children earn Bible Bucks by attending
Sunday School and
church, bringing friends, etc.
St. Peter’s Preschool News
by Lisa Rohlfs, Teacher
Woo-Hoo for preschool and God's little gifts. We
have had so much fun this month. Starting our
month off, the Fire Department treated us with a ride
in the rescue rig to the firehouse and told us about all
of their equipment and how the fire department helps
others when they are hurt or have a fire. Thank you
to Earnie Jeckel, Andy Hayes and Lowell Aper for
taking your time out of your busy day to talk with us.
We really had a great time and learned so many new
things.
We have been very busy with many many new and
exciting things this month. Letters P. O, B and G
were introduced. While we were talking about the
letter P we also read the Pumpkin Parable. Check it
out in the kids library upstairs at church. It's really a
good book. Ovals and octagons were fun to see how
they can be used to make many designs and objects. Writing always isn't easy but we try really
hard. The word “orange” was our challenge as it was
the color of the month.
As we ended our month all the excitement was focused on Halloween and party fun, but we cannot
forget about nocturnal animals and why they have
different sleep schedules than we do. Thank you to
our Room Mom's and all of the parents that helped
make our Halloween Party a fun and successful
time. Without you, it
wouldn’t be possible.
Love and Kindness,
Mrs. Rohlfs
It’s that time of year again to start thinking about
Operation Christmas Child. I will have a table set up in the Parish
Hall with forms, labels, etc. sometime in October.
How to Pack a Shoebox
Use an empty cardboard or plastic shoebox (average size). Decide
whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the age category: 24, 5-9, or 10-14. Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Help cover shipping and other costs related to delivering your shoeboxes to children overseas by donating $7 for each
gift you prepare. Place a rubber band around each closed shoebox
and bring back to no later than November 14th.
Items to Enclose in your Shoebox
Toys: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as
dolls, toy cars, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos,
jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra
batteries), etc.
School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture
books, etc.
Non-Liquid Hygiene Items: toothbrushes, bar soap, combs,
washcloths, etc.
Accessories: t-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry,
watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc.
A Personal Note: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may be able to write back.
Do Not Include: Used or damaged items; war-related items such
as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of
-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol
cans.
St. Peter’s Youth
by Jenna Weddle, Director
"All that we behold is full of blessings."
November 9, SPY will meet to write letters for our American
soldiers. These letters will be sent through State Farm's Military Affinity Group (MAG).
November 23, we will discuss 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, and
share some of the things that we are thankful for. Please
bring a favorite snack to share.
If you have any questions, please contact Jenna at
(309) 831-6335. Thank you!
5th and 6th grade Sunday School class is
getting greener. Last year we started a service
project of taking all the LOVE PACKAGE
material to Pat Sparks who then takes it to
Greenville, Illinois. Keep filling the box with
Christian material.
We are endeavoring another project to recycle the Sunday
bulletins, instead of burning them. We will have a recycle
basket on the last pew in the sanctuary. This is very new so
it may take us a few months to get it right.
Brayden Rohlfs, Jayden Klopp, McKealy Klokkenga, Mac
Briggs, and Jonelle and Serina Baker.
Bible Study Opportunities
PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR BIBLE STUDY
“Judges”
Good Samaritan
Date: Wednesday, November 12
Time: 1:30 PM
Study Leader–Carol Reiners
Hostess-Beth Neikirk
Cross & Crown
Date : Thursday, November 20
Time: 7:00 PM
Study Leader-Fran Cross
Hostess-Janice Moldenhauer
Women of the Word
by WoW Co-President, Carol Reiners
NOVEMBER WOW BIBLE STUDY
Our circle Bible studies for November are about Eli. Although
he was a judge of Israel, he lacked any real authority. His sons
practiced pagan rituals in the tabernacle right under his nose,
and he did little to stop it. Through his life, we'll see the dangers
of becoming complacent in our faith.
A quote from our November lesson states: "There is no 'cruise
control' in the Christian life. There is no point where we can
say, 'I've done enough to serve the Lord,' and then coast on
into heaven. Every day needs to be a conscious effort to practice the calling which God has given us." Please join us at
Good Samaritan or Cross and Crown for Bible study and fellowship.
WOW RETREAT INFORMATIONAL AND INSPIRATIONAL
Approximately forty people attended the WOW retreat held at
St. Peter's on October 11. All received information as well as
inspiration. Churches represented were Faith at Moline, Living Waters at Peoria, and Immanuel at Altona. Here is one
ladies' response to the day...
"You can be assured it was a very wonderful experience being
at your church for the WOW Retreat last Saturday. You have a
beautiful church and all your ladies are so welcoming. One
thing that surprised me, but was much appreciated was the
sugar-free dessert I enjoyed upon our arrival. That was such a
considerate thing to do and I am sure others appreciated it also. Loved the opening hymn sing of praise music. Hearing
about "4KenyasKids" was most interesting and educational as
well. So many of us do not realize the hardships those in third
world countries face. The amount of the offering was amazing. To end the gathering with communion was also very
meaningful. PTL! Again, thank you and may God continue to
bless you all and the ministries of Emden Lutheran
Church." Joyce Smith, Faith Lutheran, Moline.
An offering of $1228 was received "4 Kenya's Kids",
and St. Peter's WOW Council will add to that amount
to make it $1500. A generous supply of in-kind gifts
for Lincoln Correctional Center was also received.
The pumpkin demonstration Gail gave for the children's sermon Oct. 12 was just part of the devotional
that she, Julia, Krista, and Bianca presented at the
retreat. Very inspirational on the importance of passing down the faith to the next generations.
A big "thank you" to everyone who helped in any way
to make it such an enjoyable day!
As the churches shared their ministries through displays and conversations, it was decided to set up a
Facebook page so we could continue sharing ideas
and information. Holly has it up and running
at: LCMC NALC Illinois Women of the Word, Lutheran Ladies. Check it out!
"HE RESCUED ME"
THEME OF LIVING ALTERNATIVES BANQUET
Deb Batterton, Julia Cross, Betty Gail Wagner, and
Carol Reiners attended the Living Alternatives Banquet on
October 7.
St. Peter's WOW Council contributed $250 in support and celebration of hearts touched and lives
transformed through Living Alternatives Pregnancy
Resource Center. Speaker, Tari Penley, shared her
story and her passion to share the love of Christ and
the good news of the gospel with all the women God
places in her path.
THANKS FOR CARING AND SHARING THROUGH
LWR
Thank you to all who contributed to our Lutheran
World Relief Ingathering. Quilts, Blankets, Kits and
Soap were packed on October 23 and taken to St.
John's Lutheran Church, Bloomington, on October
25, where boxes were loaded on semis bound for
Minneapolis. A complete report of what was sent
from St. Peter's will be included in next month's Parish Paper. Every gift given will be a blessing to
someone and shows God's love for them.
There will be no
Lutheran World Relief Quilting
in November and December.
Thanks to everyone who worked hard to
make these quilts that will go to people
around the world.
We finished 43 quilts this year!
For those ladies who do garage sales for
Lutheran World Relief, we are still
collecting baby socks from
newborn to 24 months.
Thanksgiving and Praise
“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” -- Psalm 92:5
by Holly Schurter
Early Thanksgiving morning, I have a date with a turkey. The turkey is plucked and clean, ready for seasoning and a
long morning in the oven. I am sleepy, tiptoeing out to the garden to pick a few sage leaves, drinking in the quiet.
I savor the quiet. Usually the sky still holds the deep blue of night; faint light on the horizon, streaked with pink and orange, suggesting night is ending, and morning is coming. Often it is chilly, with perhaps a light frost.
Later in the day, it won’t be quiet at all. There will be a lot of joyful noise, a lot of thanksgiving. The house will be humming with people; the table will be laden with good food; the family will be in full celebration mode. Cousins will be chasing one another, conversation and laughter will fill time and space, and the dog will hide from it all.
Still later there will be the cleaning up. Left-overs will be packaged; dishes washed up; one by one, families will say their
good-byes and go back to their own homes. Even then, there is a bit more to do: putting away serving dishes and linens,
sweeping up crumbs, replacing furniture to its everyday position. John and I always enjoy this part of a party; it gives us
an opportunity to relive the fun.
Our American celebration of Thanksgiving is fun and meaningful. Fun, because even though all our children are grown
up with homes of their own, they still like to “come back home” and spend time with us, with their sisters and brothers
and all the extended family and friends; our time together is filled with laughter and love. Meaningful, because giving
thanks to God for the abundance of blessing in our lives is part of the celebration, as we all recognize and share how
much we have to be thankful for.
In a way, a Sunday worship service is a celebration of thanksgiving. When the Psalmist invites us to “come into his presence with thanksgiving” he isn’t just making a suggestion; he is explaining that giving thanks to God is how we enter our
Lord’s presence. We are welcome in God’s presence because of Jesus; as we recognize and remember that truth,
thanksgiving is a natural response.
The connection between thanksgiving and praise seems to be a direct one, at least according to the Psalmist. Praise
can be hard to come by when we are filled with complaint, self-pity, or fault-finding, but an attitude of thanksgiving shortcircuits those negative emotions.
Thanksgiving and praise create expectancy, a sense of something good happening – that same feeling of expectancy
we have as we look forward to a delicious feast with family and friends.
Come to think of it, that’s a good definition of worship.
Stewardship Sunday
November 24
Stewardship Sunday 2015
Estimate of Giving
Please prayerfully consider the
upcoming Stewardship Sunday
Name_______________________________________________
and fill out the slip to the right and
return it on November 24th. If you
forget this slip, there will be extra Address_____________________________________________
in the Narthex.
$________________weekly
______yes I would like envelopes
$________________monthly
______no envelopes
$________________yearly
Helping Hands
Romans 12:5...so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members
one of another. And since we have gifts that differ according
to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly.
ACOLYTES
11/02-Ashton Rademaker & Kassy Eskew
11/09-Anna & Austin Hayes
11/16-Lexi Barry & Abbie Hoerbert
11/23-Payge McCree & Gabby Mutchler
11/30-Nic Poelker & Addam Hoerbert
ALTAR COMMITTEE-November & DecemberJanice Campbell & Janet Eeten
COFFEE & FELLOWSHIP SERVERS
11/02– Mark, Angie & Nelda Vannaken
11/0911/16-Walter & Marilyn Harmsen, Bob & Julia Cross
11/23– Bob & Alberta Gardner, Melinda Swearingen
11/30DEACONS
11/02-Tom Cross & Jim Klokkenga
11/09-John Cross
11/16-Jim Klokkenga
11/23-Tom Cross
11/26–Wed. Thanksgiving Eve/Advent-John Cross
11/30-Jim Klokkenga
FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR
11/0211/0911/16-Bruce & Donna Struebing
11/2311/30GREETERS
11/02-Deb LaMar & Cathy Zumwalt
11/09-Kent & Ally Leesman
11/16-Jim & Diane Lindgren
11/23-Tom Mikelson
11/26-Wed. Thanksgiving Eve/Advent
Wayne & Janice Moldenhauer
11/30-Scott & Joey Mutchler
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
LECTORS
11/02-Betty Gail Wagner
11/09-Joyce Aggertt
11/16-John Cross
11/23-Lynn Cross
11/26-Wed. Thanksgiving Eve/Advent -Tom Cross
11/30-Dara Entwistle
NURSERY
11/02-Lori Cross
11/09-Sarah McCree
11/16-Connie Rayburn
11/23-Megan Neikirk
11/30-Betty Gail Wagner
ORGANISTS & PIANISTS
11/02-Jane Mikelson
11/09-Gail Ubbenga
11/16-Jane Mikelson
11/23-Jane Mikelson
11/26-Wed. Thanksgiving Eve/Advent-Gail Ubbenga
11/30-Joe Garcia
TAPES
11/02-Walt Neikirk
11/09-Dorothy Komnick
11/16-Bob & Julia Cross
11/23-Alan & Carol Reiners
11/30-Walt Neikirk
USHERS
11/02-Gordon, Alan K., Kevin, Andy, Alan M. Mark
11/09-Chris, Eli, Kaleb, Walt, Jim
11/16-Gordon, Alan K., Kevin, Andy, Alan M. Mark
11/23-Chris, Eli, Kaleb, Walt, Jim
11/26-Wed. Thanksgiving Eve/Advent
Gordon, Alan K., Kevin, Andy, Alan M. Mark
11/30-Chris, Eli, Kaleb, Walt, Jim
November Birthdays
11/01
11/02
11/03
11/04
11/05
11/06
11/07
11/08
11/09
11/10
11/12
11/14
11/15
11/17
11/18
11/21
11/22
11/23
11/25
11/26
11/27
11/28
11/30
Fred Nessler
Nancy Baumgartner
Jake Wiseman
Brian Boerma
Britney Boerma
James Lindgren
Erin Hoerbert
Piper Leesman
James Campbell
Alex Timms
Celia Cross
Blanche Aper
Cody Anderson
Lincoln Smith
Chelsey Rankin
Nora Reiners
Brenda Barney
Mary Heineken
Harry Klokkenga
Duane Klopp
Ann Rademaker
Mark Baker
Michelle Billings
John Cross
Marla Timms
Melodye Crabtree
Todd Crane
Marianne Komnick
Nikki Schleder
Linda Haffner
Drew Pieper
Betty Gail Wagner
Noah Klopp
Nathan Klopp
Mary Rankin
Blaine Hellman
Zac Klokkenga
Jamie Carlock
Tonya Bassett
Dawn Boundy
Cody Christian
Matthew Klopp
Alexis Huffman
Daniel Rush
Molly Hayes
Barb Cross
Christy Cross
Melinda Reiners
Mitchell Daugherty
Jacob Struebing
JoEllen Westen
November Anniversaries
11/01/1975
11/02/2002
11/03/2001
11/12/1988
11/20/1965
11/23/2007
11/23/2013
11/25/1951
11/26/1950
11/28/1992
11/29/1953
Bruce and Amy Eads
Kendall and Kathleen Fitzpatrick
Case and Natalie McGee
Jim and Jorene Boerma
Dr. William. & Nancy Baumgartner
Jerry and Dara Entwistle
Andrew & Hannah Fitzpatrick
Louis and Donnabelle Anderson
Tom and Dorothy Komnick
Darrin and Cindy Schempp
Harry and Joanne Klokkenga
How Are the Children?
submitted by Gayle Klopp, Charles Hall Youth Services, Bismarck, ND
Among the most accomplished and fabled tribes of Africa, no tribe was
considered to have warriors more fearsome or more intelligent than the
mighty Masai. It is perhaps surprising then to learn the traditional greeting
that passed between Masai warriors. “Kasserian ingera,” one would always say to another. It means, “And how are the children?”
It is still the traditional greeting among the Masai, acknowledging the high
value that the Masai always place on their children’s well-being. Even
warriors with no children of their own would always give the traditional answer. “All the children are well.” Meaning, of course that peace and safety prevail, that the priorities of protecting the young, the powerless, are in
place, that Masai society has not forgotten its reason for being, its proper
functions and responsibilities. “All the children are well” means that life is
good. It means that the daily struggles of existence, even among a poor
people, do no preclude proper caring for its young.
I wonder how it might affect our consciousness of our own children’s welfare if in our culture we took to greeting each other with the same daily
question’ “And how are the children?” I wonder if we heard that question
and passed it along to each other a dozen times a day, if it would begin to
make a difference in the reality of how children are thought
of or cared for in this country.
I wonder if every adult among us, parent and non-parent
alike, felt an equal weight for the daily care and protection of
all the children in our town, in our state, in our country...I
wonder if we could truly say without and hesitation, “the children are well, all the children are well”.
And, how are the children????
Excerpted from a speech by the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O’Neill,
First Parish