ROCKPORT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH'S 200TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Our first celebration activity is almost here! Please join us on Sunday, July 17th, for an Old-Fashioned Potluck! Just like we did in 1822, our circuit rider will be here to preach near the first worship area at the bottom of Mastick Hill. The outdoor 10am worship service will be followed by an old-fashioned potluck, both hosted at the Cottonwood Pavilion (off Valley Parkway, 3rd entrance, south of Mastick and Puritas hills). Please bring a dish to share. All table service, grilled meat, and beverages will be provided. Special recognition of people who have been members of Rockport Church for 25, 50 & 75 years! Sign-up sheet is in the chapel hallway or email the church office at office@rockportumc.org to RSVP.
GRADUATES! If you have Graduated from High School, Trade School, or any form of Higher Learning PLEASE LET US KNOW by June 30th! We want to honor you and would like to feature our Rockport Graduates all of July in the Updates! PLEASE email the office: office@rockportumc.org with your name, where you are graduating from, and any plans you’d like to share with your Rockport UMC Family! We are SO EXCITED for you!
ALUMNI DINNER & CHAT! Sunday, July 24th 7 – 9 p.m. - If you’re a Youth Group Alumni come eat some food and hang out for a couple hours! With the pandemic, we’ve only gathered once in person – WE MISS YOU! Come on in!
HOMEMADE COOKIES NEEDED FOR VBS! We are in need of 10 dozen cookies total! Please let me know if you’re able to bake us a dozen or two! There will be a sign-up sheet on the Christian Ed table in the hallway, or send us an email! THANK YOU!!!! VBS is August 1st through the 3rd, cookies would need to be dropped off Sunday, July 31st!
INTERESTED IN SERVING ON A COMMITTEE? Rockport is looking for individuals who are interested in serving on Trustees, SPRC, Council or any other committee. Those interested, please let Pastor Don or the church office know.
SPECIAL MUSIC: Now that we are enjoying summer worship outside and the choir is off, we are looking for people/groups who enjoy playing an instrument or singing to do special music to enhance our worship service this summer. If you would like to do special music this summer, please let Susan Shick or the church office know! Thanks!
ROCKPORT COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECT CONTINUES… On Wednesday, June 22nd work continued on Holly's house in Fairview Park. Siding on the south end of the house began and they prepared and painted the porch and existing horizontal siding. Anyone who would like to help on future dates, please call Dave, 440-829-3184.
UNAFRAID BIBLE STUDY! (outside on the patio weather permitting!) Join us on Tuesdays June 28, and July 5, 12 from 7-8:00pm. This study is being led by Dan Newman and Bill Eyman. We know Jesus tells us, “Do not be afraid,” but with everything going on in the world, how is it possible not to be anxious? In this Bible based study based on his book Unafraid, Adam Hamilton explores the worries and fears most of us experience. We will learn to identify fears and discover practical steps for overcoming them…all in the light of Scripture and a faith that promises again and again that we can live with courage and hope. All are welcome and please contact the church if you need transportation. God Bless!
PRAY AND BIKING OPPORTUNITY! TONIGHT, THURSDAY JUNE 23 AT 6:30 P.M. Praying and Exercising are two great activities! Please join us to do both! Our prayer focus is the scripture from Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Please see the schedule below and e-mail the church with any questions, we hope to see you then!
Thursday June 23 at 6:30 p.m.: Read the scripture and pray for those that are suffering from cancer and for those that are mourning and thankfulness for God’s blessings via a pray-walk on the prayer labyrinth and then bike (either in the neighborhood or the valley).
BOOK CLUB: Please join us on Monday, July 11th at 7:00pm at Diana Leitch's house, 7 Westfield Lane, Rocky River, for fellowship and discussion. Bring a dessert or appetizer to share. We will be reading the book “The Book of Lost Names” by Kristin Harmel. This book is “Inspired by an astonishing true story from World War II, a young woman with a talent for forgery helps hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis in this unforgettable historical novel from the international bestselling author of the “epic and heart-wrenching World War II tale” (Alyson Noel, #1 New York Times bestselling author) The Winemaker’s Wife.” -People magazine, Best New Books. Hope to see you all on July 11th for food, fellowship and discussion!
JOIN US FOR GAME NIGHT: Are you looking for something to do on a Saturday night? Look no further. Come and enjoy game night here at Rockport on July 9 (Clue Night), 23 and Aug. 6, 20 at 6pm. A light dinner will be provided as well as childcare. Please sign-up on the bulletin board to attend and/or host and let us know if you will need childcare.
COFFEE HOUR: Please sign-up on the bulletin board to host coffee hour. Fellowship is so important to the life of the church. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Methodist event without food! Nothing fancy, just a few goodies will be needed to host and Rockport will provide the coffee and water.
REMINDER: Office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00 - 2:00pm and Fridays from 8:00 - 1:00pm. Rev. Don's office hours are Tuesday and Thursdays from 11:00 - 1:00pm
GOOGLE DRIVE REMINDER Rockport All Church Information and Financial Reports are accessible here or in the church office. April 30, 2022 financials are NOW available.
Annual Conference 2022: Let Us Live LOVE RECAP
JUNE 11, 2022EOC NEWS By Rick Wolcott* Bishop Tracy S. Malone called to order the 53rd session of the East Ohio Annual Conference with 448 clergy and 467 laity gathered in the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio. Director of Multicultural Vitality Will Fenton-Jones then read the East Ohio Area Land Acknowledgment that stated, in part, “We, the people of the East Ohio Area of The United Methodist Church, wish to acknowledge that our communities have been built on lands that many Indigenous peoples once called home.” Annual Conference 2022 was the first in-person conference in three years, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first conference in which members voted using hand-held devices. Walk for Our Lives Against Gun Violence On the day before Annual Conference 2022, Bishop Tracy S. Malone led nearly 150 clergy and laity in a 1.4-mile Walk for Our Lives against gun violence. The walk began with a rally outside the John S. Knight Center, wove through the streets of Akron, Ohio and concluded with a vigil outside Family of Faith United Methodist Church. ”We are putting our faith and our prayers and our feet to action to say, ‘no more’ to violence,” said Bishop Tracy S. Malone, resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. View and download the Walk for Our Lives video. Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion “Trust God with all that concerns you, whatever burdens you’re carrying, whatever pain that grips your heart. Jesus is our rock and our refuge, our shelter, a very present help in the time of grief,” Bishop Malone shared during her sermon in the Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion. “With Christ and through Christ we can have abundant joy. With Christ and through Christ we can live again.” The service recognized 66 clergy, spouses, and laity who entered the church triumphant since last year’s Annual Conference. View and download the Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion video. Episcopal Address “We are more than conservatives and liberals and traditionalists and progressives and centrists and Republicans and Democrats or gay or straight or queer or Black or Brown or white or young or old. There are no box seats in the Kingdom and dare we not, box each other in,” said Bishop Malone in her Episcopal Address to East Ohio Conference clergy laity. “’Let Us Live LOVE’ is moving beyond the doors and the walls of our buildings, getting outside of the pews. We do a good job loving on each other, some churches better than others. But we’re called to let that love spill out into the streets, to move beyond from the pews and the walls and the buildings to let it show up,” Malone shared. “Living love is being disciples, making disciples, and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ. Living love is being agents of transformation, agents of healing, agents of hope in your communities. Living love is reaching new people, younger people, and a more diverse people. Let us live love. Let us do it together. Let us commit and recommit to the ways of Christ and to the ways of being community one with each other.” View and download the Episcopal Address video. Celebration of Retirement The first day of Annual Conference concluded with recognizing the retirement of 28 clergy who served a combined 791 in local church and extension ministry. View and download the Celebration of Retirement video. Friday Morning Worship The second day of Annual Conference began with a powerful message from Pastor Sheena Cameron, pastor of Mount Pleasant UMC and St. Paul UMC in the North Coast District. Her sermon “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” told the story of the life-long impact that domestic violence had on the life of music icon Tina Turner while imploring churches to live love in their communities by being willing to stand with, walk alongside, and resource those in need. “Living love has to challenge us to move beyond a transaction, to move beyond what we are comfortable with,” Cameron said. View and download the Friday Morning Worship video. Saturday Morning Worship In his sermon “A Lesson from the Edge,” Executive Director of Connectional Ministries the Rev. Ed Fashbaugh offered a moving witness on the power of love as he shared about his near-death battle with COVID last fall, saying, “The love of Jesus lifted me, and the love of Jesus can lift us.” Rev. Fashbaugh implored clergy and laity to reach out in love to all, not just to those who look, sound, and act like we do.“If sharing the love of God is the most important thing at a moment in time then the love of God is the most important thing all of the time,” he said. “Rather than drawing lines, lets commit to erasing them and drawing the circle wide around all people.” Service of Commissioning and Ordination Bishop Laura Barbins, resident bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, focused her message on the unknown into which those being commissioned and ordained are being called. “It’s not a once and done sort of choice. Each of us day after day recommit ourselves to being followers of Christ remembering that it is God, the God of love, that calls to us,” she said. During the service, one person was commissioned a provisional Deacon, one person was commissioned a provisional Elder, and 10 were ordained as full Elders in The United Methodist Church. View and download the Service of Commissioning and Ordination video. Teach • Reach • Bless Bishop Malone thanked the clergy and laity of the East Ohio Conference for their generous support of the Teach • Reach • Bless campaign and for raising and collecting more than $1.5 million to build and furnish a new residence hall for female students on the campus of Africa University in Zimbabwe. Because funds for the three-year campaign were collected in two years – despite the COVID-19 pandemic – ground was broken for the new residence hall on April 12. Health Care Premiums “Our health care experience for 2020 was a good one. As we might expect, with hospital shutdowns due to COVID-19, utilization was down for the year. The premiums we billed for each of our participants in the plan fully funded the health care cost,” shared chairperson the Rev. Bill Liming during his Board of Benefits report to Annual Conference before explaining that in 2021 HealthFlex paid out more in claims than it billed the East Ohio Conference for premiums. “This must be made up with a projected increase of 12% to our 2023 health care premiums,” Liming said in making the motion from the Board. Annual Conference members approved the 12% premium increase. Minimum Salaries for Clergy Commission on Equitable Compensation Chairperson Dr. Gloria Brown brought a motion on behalf of the Commission to raise the minimum salary of clergy 5% effective July 1. Brown shared that, “After researching the minimum salaries of every conference in the country, results show that East Ohio ranks second from the bottom except for two missionary conferences, Redbird and Oklahoma Indian Missionary.” Following much discussion on proposed amendments, Annual Conference members voted to increase minimum clergy salaries in 2023 by 10%. 2023 East Ohio Conference Budget In introducing a proposed 2023 budget that is 5.3% less than the 2022 Conference budget Conference Council on Finance & Administration Chairperson the Rev. Dan Bryant said: “God continues to move amidst our uncertainties in these days and, for that, we on CF&A say thank you to the local church leadership for your faithfulness and together we give God thanks and praise. East Ohio Conference can accomplish a great deal through our shared ministry giving that local churches could not accomplish on their own. Yet, at the same time, we know that the most critical investment for mission and ministry are those made at the local church.” Annual Conference members approved the proposed 2023 budget of $9,764,559. Living Into Our Shared Vision Teaching Sessions At the invitation of Bishop Tracy S. Malone, the Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, director of Fresh Expressions for the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church led three teaching sessions that encouraged East Ohio Conference clergy and laity to live into our shared vision in new ways. In the first, Contextual Intelligence: Unlocking the Ancient Secret of Mission on the Frontlines he implored churches to question their current ministry and consider reaching beyond the walls of the building into the community. “Maybe we need some temple tantrums going on today in the House of the Lord,” he offered. “Only the Holy Spirit can show up now and turn this thing around.”
ROCKPORT HAPPENINGS!
Calendar of Events:
Thursday, June 23, 2022 6:30pm - Pray and Bike
Friday, June 24, 2022 9:45am – Al-Anon
Sunday, June 26, 2022 8:30-9:00am - Early Morning Service 10:00am - In-Person Outdoor Worship & Live Streamed
Tuesday, June 28, 2022 7:00pm - Unafraid Bible Study (outdoors on the patio weather permitting)
Friday, July 1, 2022 9:45am – Al-Anon
Sunday, July 3, 2022 8:30-9:00am - Early Morning Service 10:00am - In-Person Outdoor Worship & Live Streamed
Monday, July 4, 2022 (Church office Closed for Independence Day)
Tuesday, July 5, 2022 7:00pm - Unafraid Bible Study (outdoors on the patio weather permitting)
Wednesday, July 6, 2022 10:00am – 2:00pm – Day Camp #1 (Art Camp)
Friday, July 8, 2022 9:45am – Al-Anon
Saturday, July 9, 2022 6:00pm- Game Night
Sunday, July 10, 2022 8:30-9:00am - Early Morning Service 10:00am - In-Person Outdoor Worship & Live Streamed
Monday, July 11, 2022 7:00pm – Book Club at Diana Leitch’s house
Tuesday, July 12, 2022 7:00pm - Unafraid Bible Study (outdoors on the patio weather permitting)
Wednesday, July 13, 2022 10:00am – 2:00pm – Day Camp #2 (Jonah & The Whale, Samson, and Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego)
Friday, July 15, 2022 9:45am – Al-Anon Youth Fudge Fundraiser and lock-in (More details to come…)
Sunday, July 17, 2022 8:30am - Early Morning Service 10:00am - 200th Anniversary Outdoor Worship at Cottonwood Pavilion in the MetroParks followed by an Old-Fashioned Potluck
Prayer List:
(please fill out a prayer card in pews, email church office or call to add to this list)
NEW THIS WEEK Ken Linden, prayers for 2 surgeries. Requested by Gail Linden Prayers for Joan who is facing a grim diagnosis. Sister of Ann DeCrane
ONGOING PRAYERS Earl Shick, prayers for healing after surgery Beverly Cavanah, recovering from knee surgery Rev. Laurie Bruce, is doing better. Thank you for continued prayers! David Stephan, prayers and healing while undergoing cancer treatment Pattie Sinnes, prayers for strength and healing for her health concerns Tom Schultz, diagnosed with brain atrophy. Good friend of the Wilkenson’s Dave Clinton, health concerns Debra, cancer returned for third time. Friend of Lynn Wilkenson Elsie Gaewsky, prayers for healing and strength Dennis, healing and strength. Nephew of Elsie Gaewsky Brandy, healing and strength. Requested by Elsie Gaewsky Karen, bone cancer. Sister-in-law of Marian Banno Betty Jones, prayers for healing Erna Guia, prayers for healing Vicki Moenich, prayers for healing Bill Bowers-Health concerns Donny Nally, recovering from heart & kidney transplants. Son of Diana Nally Katie Patton, single mom of 3 with stage 4 liver cancer. Requested by the Wilkinson’s Jan Tietje, medical concerns
SYMPATHY Family and friends of Joyce, who passed into life eternal on June 12th. Sister of Nancy Geyer
THANK YOU Praise for God’s help in getting my brother Ron to the right place for his health issues. Thank you all for your prayers. Debbie Bryant
MILITARY SERVING OUR COUNTRY Sarah Bungard-Serving our country, Chief Warrant Officer 2 USMC. Requested by the Kopko family
News from our Youth and Children's Ministries
YOUTH: July 15th: Fudge Fundraiser and lock-in! MORE INFO COMING
July 27th: WORKING ON CABINET & Organizing. 6:30 to 9:30 – underground church when we’re done working!
COMING IN AUGUST: YOUTH DISCUSSION GROUP series: Beginning on the last Sunday of the month in August (August 28th) we will gather for dinner & Discussion. Variety of topics, from school to friends to problems we face, to how it all fits into God’s plan… JOIN US all school year!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING ALL SUMMER!
IMPORTANT: WE HAVE A SPECIAL PROJECT FOR THE 200TH ROCKPORT ANNIVERSARY - WE NEED YOUR IDEAS FOR FUNDRAISING!!!!!
CHILDREN AND YOUTH: Day Camp #1: JULY 6th: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ART CAMP! Come & Work on some Art Projects and Crafts! BRING A PACKED LUNCH! Drinks and dessert provided!
Day Camp #2: JULY 13th10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jonah & The Whale, Samson, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! LUNCH (and drinks) PROVIDED!
Day Camp #3: JULY 20th10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Travel around the world and sample food from other countries for lunch! LUNCH (and drinks) PROVIDED!
SAVE the DATE! VBS! August 1st through 3rd! 4 to 8 p.m. Bible Fest! Come and join in on the fun – learn about different Bible Holidays and Festivals… eat dinner together, activities, music, art, games… and FUN!
Registration opening soon! Be watching! 4 yrs old through 6th graders!
*Adults & Youth! Please let me know if you would like to volunteer for VBS in any way!
JUNE CHILDREN & YOUTH BIRTHDAYS:
(If you do not see your child age 0-17th's birthday, please notify the church office.) June 21 Brooklyn Varga June 23 Evan Pinyerd June 24 Christopher Paige June 29 Grace Munro
JUNE WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: (If you don't see your wedding anniversary, please notify the church office.) June 9 Trevor & Carolyn Rowen, 21 years June 13 Bruce & Barb Swan, 52 years June 15 Adam & Erin Mahnen, 20 years June 24 Bill & Janet Eyman, 55 years June 27Joseph & Carol Pare’, 52 years