THE WINDOW
OF NOBLE ROAD CHURCH
“Reaching Up, Reaching Out”
Noble Road Presbyterian Church
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
(216) 382-0660
Rev. Francis P. Miller II,
Pastor
September 2011
Join us September 25
for the
Community Meal at
11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Please bring a dish to share.
Christian Education for our children and youth
will begin on September 18th. We will hold our
classes on the first and third Sundays of each
month. The schedule for this year will be:
September – The Great Commandment
October – Jonah
New directories are available in the
church office. Let Carol in the
office know if you would like one
mailed to you.
November – Fishers of Men
December
January - Epiphany
February – Conversion of Paul
March – Abram/Sarai
Yoga returns
JOIN US FOR - - YOG@CHURCH
the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month
September 11 & 25
8:30 – 9:30 A.M.
April – Psalm 23
May – Jesus Calms the Sea
If you are interested in teaching any of these
stories, please let Ann Randall know.
VACATION
Rev. Francis Miller will be on vacation the first
weekend in September. Maria Bernardo will be our
guest preacher on Sunday, September 4.
Prayer Families of the Month
September 2011
1 – Jenny Wherley
2 – Rick, Barbara, & Jimmy Wherley
3 – Susan Wherley
4 – Tom Wherley & Michelle Burns
5 – Dan & Sharron Wills
6 – Elizabeth Wills
7 – Kerry Wills
8 – June Wirth
9 – Nick Young
10 – Megan & Eben Zimmerman
11 – Patricia Arnwine
12 – Marcelo Atanasio & Andy Keller-Gipson
13 – Michael Barkoot, Jr.
14 – Cordia Beeks
15 – Judith Beeler
16 – Marie Bell
17 – Maria Bernardo
18 – Bettye Bogan
19 – Christine Boja
20 – Ethel Smith Bowen, Scott, Carys, &
Samuel Bowen
21 – Ed & Nancy Brown
22 – Phyllis & Jay Brown
23 – Cassie Budin
24 – Rob Butler
25 – Bradley Campbell
26 – Christoph Carter
27 – Mandi, Sean, Andrew, Jacob, Carli,
& Jillian Casey
28 – Stacy, Ryan, Aiden, & Austin Chambers
29 – Boris & Shirley Dioneff
30 – Sandra, William, Kelly, & Stephanie
Doran
Lectionary for the Lord’s Day
September 4: Exod. 12:1-14; Ps. 149;
Rom. 13:8-14; Matt. 18:15-20
September 11: Exod. 14:19-31; Ps. 114 or
Exod. 15:1b-11, 20-21;
Rom. 14:1-12;
Matt. 18:21-35
September 18: Exod. 16:2-15;
Ps. 105:1-6, 37-45;
Phil. 1:21-30; Matt. 20:1-16
September 25: Exod. 17:1-7;
Ps. 78:1-4, 12-16;
Phil. 2:1-13; Matt. 21:23-32
Gift Cards
We will be ordering gift cards on
September 12 (a week later than usual cause of Labor
Day) . Please see R.J. Miller or Maria Bernardo for
order forms by September 11.
Mission Statement
The mission of Noble Road Presbyterian Church is
to welcome all people into the presence of Jesus
Christ. We have embraced a vision of
unconditional love and hospitality for all. We
welcome and include persons without regard to
cultural boundaries including race, age, gender
identity, mental condition, sexual orientation or
economic class. We partner with communities of
peace, justice and inclusion. We share our gifts of
time, talent and treasure to serve in this
community and to grow. In this day that God has
made, we can rejoice and be glad.
Dougbe River Presbyterian School update
Isaac spent most of July in Liberia, a lot of
it at the school site in Twarbo Region. He went to
observe the progress on the classroom buildings
and see if he could find a way to speed it up, and
also to renew and expand our contacts with
government officials and other people who can
help us. We've made some progress but it's still
going more slowly than we had hoped. This has
no negative effect on the finances of the project,
because the construction contract is for a flat fee
and more time doesn't mean more money. But
we'd like to get the school started, so our feelings
about the progress of construction are mixed.
The other news is all pretty good.
Highlights:
A representative of the United Nations who
is stationed in Zwedru, Jacques C.O. Adegdidi,
visited the site with Isaac and said he was moved
by conditions in what he called "the forgotten
villages." The United Nations can help us with
equipment (helping us move building supplies, for
example) and by working to improve the
infrastructure in the area. One immediate piece of
help: When it was time for Isaac to fly home, he
got a ride from Zwedru to Monrovia in a U.N.
vehicle. That's a 13-hour trip if things go well,
and they don't always go well. This time Isaac
rode in air-conditioned comfort and got saluted
repeatedly by people who didn't know who he was
and apparently thought it was safest to assume
they should salute.
The construction plan for the first phase of
school operations (without dormitories) has been
changed and expanded. Instead of a single
classroom building, we're now building two
smaller ones. There will still be eight classrooms,
an office and a library. We're also building a
house on campus for the principal and guests. The
plan is for other teachers to live in the villages and
walk to and from school with the students.
Also, on July 25, the Presbytery of the
Western Reserve endorsed the Dougbe River project
as a validated mission of the Presbytery. Fourteen
churches in the Presbytery have contributed to the
project. We think this is an important
acknowledgment that what began as a mission of
Noble Road has grown far beyond that, and we hope
it will increase our credibility with potential funders
as we work to raise the money to build the dorms that
will enable us to serve a far wider area.
There's more news and a lot more photos of
Isaac's trip at www.drpsl.org.
John Luttermoser
Secretary of the General Board
Dougbe River Presbyterian School
Rummage Sale
Is your memory of the sale as pleasant as
mine? Everything seemed just right: the weather, the
customer turnout, the quantity and variety of sale
items, our profit - even the clean-up.
As always, your participation was the key to
its success. I do believe that the only Noble Roaders
who weren't part of the Rummage Sale were out of
town (and they missed a good time)!
Special “above and beyond” thanks to Ann,
Chuck, and R.J. who were always at church doing
what needed to be done and more!
Karen
Wonder Garden
As I write this, we're planning our final
lesson because we'll soon be losing our young
gardeners to school. We've had a highly
successful garden this summer for many reasons.
The garden has produced vegetables
beyond our wildest expectations! We invite you to
take a look soon if only to see the 7' tall corn.
We think the children are now aware that a
balanced, healthy diet is good for them and why.
We hope their future food choices will have been
influenced by what they grew and learned this
summer.
The magic, excitement, and wonder of a
garden is always evident. I love it when a child
says, “Did you see the ___?”!
And, as if a bountiful garden weren't
enough, our introductory information for each
class has been nothing less than outstanding.
Thanks to Joanne, we adults have learned many
garden-related concepts too. How is it possible
for water to travel to the top of a 300' tree? Why
are bees attracted to yellow flowers? You may
want to ask her. Joanne's knowledge and passion
for teaching are invaluable to this project. Also,
through her, friends Kathie, Ann, and Margy have
joined our regulars Carolyn and Audrey.
Noble Road is truly blessed by the wealth
of talent and experience in this group of women
and the delightfulness of our school-age children.
Karen
P.S. I'll be looking for help in putting the garden
“to bed” in October. Please see me if you're
interested. Thanks.
BIBLE STUDY
Presbyterian Women will study the
Beatitudes during the 2011-12 program year. The
study content focuses on connecting faith with daily
life, addressing the most difficult world issues. The
historic content of the scriptures in both Matthew and
Luke will be explored also. The study's author,
Margaret Aymer, is an ordained minister of Word and
Sacrament and an associate professor of New
Testament at Interdenominational Theological Center
in Atlanta, Georgia.
We will continue to meet on the second
Monday of each month unless otherwise indicated in
announcements. Our activities are open to all
women. Cost of the Beatitudes study is $8.00. If
interested, please call Carolyn Sugiuchi: 216-3826576 by Sunday, September 11, 2011.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On August 22, the Mission Small Group (Barbara,
Judy, Caryl and Joanne) plus Cassie, Noelle,
Courtney and Caitlin spent the evening serving
dinner and providing activities for four families
staying at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian
Church through the Family Promise organization.
(New Life Community and Interfaith Hospitality
Network are now united under the Family Promise
name.) The chicken dinner was very popular and it
was a good thing there was lots of food since there
were many children and most of them were old
enough to eat heartily. After dinner the children (and
some moms) enjoyed blowing giant bubbles outside,
and playing Uno and other games inside. One boy
made granola for breakfast. This group was well
behaved, enthusiastic and enjoyed interacting with
each other - making for a very fun evening.
Jim Nagle -
A Storyteller for the Lord
Jim Nagle believes that you and I
encounter Jesus Christ every day of our lives.
Only he comes disguised as another human being a man or a woman . . . a child or a senior citizen.
Did you recognize Jesus when you met him along
your way today?
Come hear Jim Nagle as he shares his presentation
“Stories from the Road . . .
Encounters with the Living God.”
Noble Road Presbyterian Church
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
September 28th, 2011
7:00 P.M.
Free will offering will be accepted and appreciated
on behalf of the Dougbe River Presbyterian
School in Liberia, Africa. Thank You.
About Jim: Jim Nagle has been given a gift. He
can turn a phrase. He knows how to tell a story.
some funny and entertaining. Others heartfelt and
inspirational. All of them true. The truth
saves...so does humor. We can count on Jim for
both. His stories celebrate that exciting moment
when the human spirit connects with The Spirit of
God. Yes, Jim Nagle has been given a gift. He
finds joy in stringing together words. He finds
miracles in sharing stories.
Peacemaking Offering World Communion Sunday October 2, 2011
I know, this is the September
Window...why are we talking about an October
event? As you can see, World Communion
Sunday is early in the month this year and so this
is our time to talk about the Peacemaking
Offering.
Living peacefully includes the protection of
individuals' integrity and human rights For some of
us, peace means access to education and the
elimination of poverty, homelessness, injustice, and
violence. For some, peace is the ability to openly
express our opinions or to practice our religious
beliefs without the fear of imprisonment or even
death. In our homes, our communities, and our
world, we are called to be makers of peace. The God
who grants peace and wholeness calls Christians to
understand and address the root causes of violence
and injustice so that we may share in mending the
brokenness that exists in our increasingly conflictridden world. Peacemaking is the human response to
God's gift of peace giving.
Make this year a time to renew your commitment to
peacemaking as part of your calling as a follower of
Christ, who not only taught us the ways of peace, but
who is our peace. Watch your Sunday bulletins from
mid- to late September for specific ways the offering
is used. And remember that 25% of the offering stays
right here in our church to be used by us to foster
peace locally. Also remember that your donation to
the Peacemaking Offering is welcome at any time. It
does not need to be placed in a special offering
envelope and it will be welcome on any Sunday in
September as well as October 2!
Thank you for giving generously.
Finance Team
SESSION UPDATE
At the August 11 meeting, Session gave some
money away. Church treasurer Barbara Wherley had
raised a concern during the previous meeting about
the balance in the Pentecost offering fund, which was
$1,220.33 – not counting money from this year’s
offering. The deal with the Pentecost offering is that
60 percent goes to the General Assembly and 40
percent stays with the congregation that collected it,
but it’s supposed to be used to support ministry with
children at risk. We haven’t been spending nearly as
much as we’ve been putting in the fund.
So after some brainstorming at the June
meeting and decisions at the August meeting, Session
allocated $225 to Cleveland Heights-University
Heights school social workers for crisis intervention;
$200 each to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender
Community Center of Greater Cleveland, the Suicide
Prevention Education Alliance and a mission to
Native Americans in the Dakotas; $172.40 (from
this year’s offering) to EPCAT International, a
group that fights child pornography, prostitution
and trafficking; $100 to Youth of Coventry, a
group that is working with Cleveland Heights City
Council to address the problems that have led to
the curfew in that area; and the balance of the
fund, just under $300, to the planned farm at
Dougbe River Presbyterian School.
The meeting also included more discussion
of the long-standing desire to put some sort of
elevator or lift in the building to improve access to
the Sanctuary. Francis told Session he has
“revived” the grant proposal that was submitted a
couple of years ago to the Administration Ministry
of the Presbytery. The elevator was the third
phase of that three-part request, and Francis said
he told the Administration Ministry that it has
been re-prioritized as phase two. Phase one dealt
with building repairs that have now been
completed (the new doors, for one thing) and the
other phase is for paving or otherwise remodeling
the parking lot. Kitty Borchert and Ed Bettendorf
of the Administration Ministry have recently
toured the building.
John Luttermoser
Clerk of Session
some ideas that are often confused with faith, such as
morality, belief, feeling and religion.”
Terrence Tilley, Ph.D., is Professor of Theology and
Chair of the Theology Department at Fordham
University in New York.
Programs in October Hildegard of Bingen: A Timeless Message of Faith by Linn Maxwell
In November The Gospel of Mark - A Live Solo Performance - by
Wayne Turney
Free programs co-sponsored by the Cleveland
Ecumenical Institute for Religious Studies.
The Meaning of Faith Terrence Tilley, Ph.D.
Sunday Evening Lecture,
September 18, 2011 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Free
Ursuline College, Klyn Hall 2550 Lander Road - Pepper Pike - 44124
Dr. Tilley's lecture might best be summed up in a
review of his book Faith: What It Is and What It
Isn't by Winifred Whelan in
catholicbooksreview.org: “Faith is a topic that is
surrounded by vague ideas and uncritical
definitions. Tilley does a superb job of clarifying
it, saying what it isn't, and giving examples of
Birthdays in September
1
3
6
7
8
11
14
18
19
21
Rick Wherley
Mandi Casey
Courtney Koch
Bradley Campbell
Martha Horlak
Leslie Sugiuchi
Katie Pescho Finney
Lynne Miller
Susan Kucera
Ethel Smith Bowen
22
26
30
Tom Wherley
John Luttermoser, Francis Miller
Madalyne Levenson
Reminder: the church office has e-mail.
Our address is nrpc@sbcglobal.net.
Francis’ e-mail is noblepastor@gmail.com
If you have an e-mail address please let the church
know so important info can be passed along via email. Our fax number is (216) 382-2881. Check
out our website at
www.noblechurch.wordpress.com.
Office Hours: Carol Phillips, the church office
secretary has Friday's off. She is in the office
Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 am to 2:00
pm. Francis' day off is also on Friday.
Communion Servers
Shonna Cook, Ann Johnston, Tom Monah, Bob
Pescho
Ushers/Greeters
Marcelo Atanasio
Offering Collectors
Tom Monah, Matthew Monah, Scott Monah, Andrew
Keller-Gipson, Elliot Miller,
Adrian Miller, Lillian Miller
Fellowship Hour Hosts
Presbyterian Women, the Johnston Family, Men of
Noble,
Joanne Westin for Presbyterian Women,
Joan Webster
Lawn Care
Chuck Szaniszlo, Francis Miller, R.J. Miller, Troy
Koch, Willie Johnston
Deadline for the October issue of The Window
is September 19.
LOOKING AHEAD -
Among Those Who Served
in July & August
Dance in October
Pancake Breakfast in November
Assisting Laity
Joanne Westin, Marcelo Atanasio,
John Luttermoser, Nan Dorer, Dan Wills, Joan
Webster
Why I Do Yoga - An Invitation
I now have a 15 year old who is playing high school soccer. As part of
Adrian's preparations for try-outs, he stayed in playing condition while we
were on vacation with a running regimen at the beach. I decided to try and
do his workouts with him - usually several steps behind. As has become my pattern, I concluded each
run with the yoga exercise called "Sun Salutation." (This was an apt exercise at the beach!)
As Carol, our yoga instructor explains, Sun Salutation is a good daily practice because it works muscles
throughout the body. It's also a gentle, and thorough, way to stretch after running. Carol also tells us,
that the exercise is not complete until one takes time to lie flat, and allow the heart and breath rates to
power down to their resting states.
After I completed the yoga on the beach one morning, I explained the practice to my cousin-in-law
(who is also a pastor). I told him how we we have been doing yoga before worship twice a month for
several years. I shared how it is a great way for me to prepare for worship and to integrate body, mind,
and spirit. He thought it sounded pretty neat. When I explained the part about resting at the
completion of Sun Salutation, it occurred to me that this practice is very similar to the routine
established in Genesis of taking a sabbath rest after six days of work. (Interestingly, there are six
complete breaths taken in one round of Sun Salutation, before one moves on to the rest.) We work, we
should rest...a restorative rest.
Granted, vacation rest doesn't happen all that often, so it's important to grab breaks when you can.
That's one of the reasons why I do yoga: it's one hour twice a month when I am reminded to be still, to
breathe, to integrate.
So, the invitation: we will resume our schedule in September, practicing in the Chapel on the second
and fourth Sundays at 8:30A. No experience is necessary, and Carol is a wonderful, gentle,
encouraging instructor. The cost is @ $7-8 a session; even less, the more who are involved. Please
consider this opportunity for renewal, and share the invitation with a friend.
In peace,
Pastor Francis
Join leaders from Greater Cleveland’s faith
communities…Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity,
Hinduism, Indigenous, Islam, Jainism, Judaism,
Sikhism, Unitarian Universalist, and more…to
gather for a public interfaith remembrance and
commemoration of the September 11, 2001
attacks. All are welcome.
"Out of Many, One" – An Interfaith
Remembrance and Commemoration
Sunday, September 11, 2011
3:30 p.m.
The Atrium at 200 Public Square
(formerly the BP Building), Downtown Cleveland
Check out the YouTube video and join the Facebook group. For more
information, contact Sister Donna Wilhelm, ssj-tosf at 216.702.3411 or
sisterbear@roadrunner.com.
Representatives from the following organizations helped plan and organize this event (list
in formation):
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Lake Erie Professional Chapter,
AJC-Cleveland, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, BAPS Temple, B'nai Jeshurun Congregation,
Carl Stokes Brigade, The Church of the Covenant, Cleveland Conference of Religions,
Congregation Shaarey Tikvah, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Digizoom Media,
The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, Euclid Avenue Congregational Church,
Federation of India Community Associations (FICA), First Cleveland Mosque,
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Baha’i Community,
Greater Cleveland Congregations, Guru Gobind Singh Society, Guru Nanak Foundation,
InterAct Cleveland, Interfaith Settlement Foundation, Interreligious Peace Makers (IPM),
Interreligious Taskforce on Central America, Islamic Center of Cleveland,
Jain Society of Greater Cleveland, Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Kol Halev,
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Notre Dame College’s Abrahamic Center,
Nueva Luz, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, The Park Synagogue, Pax Christi,
Pilgrim United Church of Christ, The Rainbow Peace Ministry, Satyam Consulting LLC,
Sensei Dean Williams, Shiva Vishnu Temple, Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine,
Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Sisters of St. Joseph - Third Order of St. Francis,
Songtsen Gampo Buddhist Center of Cleveland, St. Paul United Church of Christ,
The Temple-Tifereth Israel, Trinity Cathedral, U.S. Attorney's Office - Northern Ohio District,
United Church of Christ, The Unity Center Masjid, Uqbah Mosque,
West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, Zoroastrians of Cleveland
Financial Happenings
General Fund Income and Expenditures for July 2011
Income
$10,977
Budget
$10,856
+ / - Budget
$121
Expenditures
$14,066
Net Income
($3,089)
General Fund Income and Expenditures YTD 2011
Income
$73,010
Budget
$74,845
+ / - Budget
($1,835)
Expenditures
$82,998
Net Income
($9,988)
Discovery Preschool Income and Expenditures for July 2011
Income
$31,931
Budget
$28,722
+ / - Budget
($3,209)
Expenditures
$40,039
Net Income
($8,108)
Discovery Preschool Income and Expenditures YTD 2011
Income
$191,747
Budget
$201,057
+ / - Budget
($9,310)
Expenditures
$192,437
Net Income
($690)
Per Capita Apportionment Status YTD
$1794 per year (individual apportionment $23.00)
Pentecost Offering - Final
Received
$785
$431
Rummage Sale - Final
$1,345
Fundraising and Extra Gifts YTD
$1,643
Submitted by B. Wherley, Treasurer
Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of the Western Reserve
Fall Gathering
Saturday, October 8
8:30 – 2:00
Fairmount Presbyterian Church
2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights, OH
MISSION MEMORIES
Virginia McCook of Maumee, OH, will share her experiences visiting with our
Native American faith sisters. She was a participant in the PW 2010 USA Mission
Experience trip to the Dakota Presbytery representing the Synod of the Covenant.
HEAR
SHARE
CARE
We will hear Ginny's presentation, share what Mission Projects are going on in our
own churches and share in a mission project together.
Make your reservations now!
------------------------------REGISTRATION FORM
$8.00 in advance $10.00 at the door
Make checks payable to PW PWR and mail to registrar, Nancy Szabo, 2020 Tillotson Rd.,
Ashtabula, OH 44004 or register by phone at: 440-992-4632.
~ Indicate if child care or special dietary needs will be required ~
Please print name, church, address & phone number
Name:__________________________________________________________
Church:_________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________
Telephone No:___________________Email _________
Disbursement of NRPC 40% Share of Pentecost Offering – For Children and Youth at Risk –
Voted on by Session at Meeting of 8/11/11
$200.00
LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland
- Youth Programs
$200.00
Suicide Prevention Education Alliance of Northeast Ohio
Saving Teen Lives Campaign
$200.00
ECPAT International – Headquartered in Thailand
End child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children
for sexual purposes.
$125.00
CH/UH Board of Education – Faiths Alive Initiative
- Family emergencies as determined by the Noble Elem. social worker
$100.00
Youth of Coventry
Organization formed in the aftermath of the flash mob controversy to
advocate for youth in the city of Cleveland Heights. We are holding these funds
until the group attains 501c3 status.
$125.00
Wholeness Center, Flandreau, South Dakota
Serving members of the Sioux tribes who are victims of domestic violence and
sexual assault.
$125.00
Oglala Lakota College, Kyle, South Dakota
Provides education and training to members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Located on
the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
$317.73
Dougbe River Presbyterian School of Liberia
Noble Road Presbyterian Church
2780 Noble Road
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44121