Worship 10:45
Sunday School 9:30
Need a Ride?
Call Corrine Blum at 242-4951 or call the church at 242-1520 to arrange a ride to church events.
Church as Christmas Gift
Second Sunday of Christmas
January 4, 2008
Rev. Maggie Sebastian will preach from Ephesians 1:3-14 and John 1:1-18.
Did you miss a week? View a recent sermon below or visit the archive of sermons.
Rev. Maggie Sebastian, Pastor
304-559-7637
Roger Cole, Board Chair
Mary Anne Kiss, Church Secretary
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1343 National Road Wheeling, WV 26003 304-242-1520 maggie@revmother.org Rev. Maggie Sebastian, Pastor |
Welcome fellow travelers.
Welcome to all who have journeyed this path for a while.
Welcome to those who are new to the path.
Welcome to those who are not sure where the path is.
Welcome to new visitors and to old friends.
Welcome to the young and the young at heart
To those of all ages and colors, all abilities and cultures, and opinions.
Know that you are welcome here – no matter what.
For this is God’s house and all may enter here!
Welcome to everyone.
We hope that you find peace and uplift in our worship.
This Welcome is offered by Rev. Maggie Sebastian each Sunday morning as worship begins.
And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." Matthew 25: 40 NRSV
Recent
Week of Compassion Update
First Christian Church Youth Walk Through the Night at Local Relay for Life
August 18--The youth of First Christian Church honored the survivors and those who lost their battles with cancer at the annual Ohio County Relay for Life last weekend. Click here to view photos from the event.
First
Christian Participates in Relay for Life
August 2--First Christian Church will again have an overnight
presence at the Relay for Life. The relay will begin Friday evening,
August 10. There are several ways that you can participate in the
relay.
--Sign up to be a walker. We will need walkers for the entire night.
--Purchase a Hope Bracelet
for $3.
--Participate in Survivors' Lap.
If you are a cancer survivor, we would like you to
participate in the survivors� lap at the beginning of the Relay.
Please let Julie Hauch, Wendy Barbeau or Maggie know and we can get
you signed up.
--Contribute to Photo Display. There will be a electronic photo display in honor and memory of
people with cancer. If you want to submit an image, please give it
to Maggie who will scan it (or sent it to her on email.) The cost is
$2 per photo displayed.
--Luminaria. You can purchase a luminaria bag to decorate in honor
or memory of someone with cancer. Bags are $5 each.
FCC will be making T-shirts listing the names of members who have survived, currently battle, or have been lost to cancer. Please see the list in the narthex to check for names of people you know should be on it.
$715 Raised to
Support Mission Trip
July 17--First Christian Church will held a spaghetti supper
Saturday, July 14 to raise money to support Dorothy Brownlee's
participation in the Woman-to-Woman mission trip to Bosnia in
October. Special thanks to Jim Wharton who cooked and organized this
event.
Click here for more information about the Woman-to-Woman Ministry.
Money Raised to
Send Elder to Bosnia
June 25--"We should do this every month!" was heard as members and friends of the congregation prepared their own brown bag lunches for a good cause. The "Brown Bag for Brownlee" fund raiser lunch was held immediately following worship yesterday.
This was a fundraiser to help Dorothy Brownlee go to Bosnia. Brownlee was accepted into the Woman to Woman program through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and will be going to Bosnia this fall.
Click here for more information about the Woman-to-Woman Ministry.
Click
here to view photos of the "Brown Bag for Brownlee".
"Brown Bag For Brownlee" is Sunday
June 22--Following the worship service on Sunday, there will be a "Brown Bag for Brownlee" fund raiser lunch to help Elder Dorothy Brownlee in her Woman-to-Woman trip to Bosnia this fall.
Members and friends may purchase a Brown Bag Lunch for $3. Those purchasing a brown bag will be able to choose from several items to put in the bag. Those wishing to eat together may eat than or may carry the Brown Bag home. This is a fundraiser to help Dorothy Brownlee go to Bosnia. Brownlee was accepted into the Woman to Woman program through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and will be going to Bosnia this fall. Click here for more information about the Woman-to-Woman Ministry.
Church Opens Doors to Orchard Park Yard Sale
June
10--The Orchard Park Child Care Center held their annual yard sale
in the Fellowship Hall of First Christian Church. This is the
second year that First Christian has allowed Orchard Park to use our
facility for this important fundraiser.
New Elder Going to Bosnia; Brown Bag Fundraiser Is Sunday, June 24
June 11--After worship on June 24, members and friends may purchase a Brown Bag Lunch for $3. Those purchasing a brown bag will be able to choose from several items to put in the bag. Those wishing to eat together may eat than or may carry the Brown Bag home. The Brown Bag Lunch is a fundraiser to help newly-elected elder, Dorothy Brownlee go to Bosnia. Brownlee was accepted into the Woman to Woman program through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and will be going to Bosnia this fall. Click here for more information about the Woman-to-Woman Ministry.
Seed Starter Kits for Community Garden Distributed;
More Caretakers Are Still Needed
Mar. 19--The first batch of Seed Starter Kits were distributed to planters and caretakers yesterday. The caretakers are responsible for planting and bringing seedlings to life. The young plants will be dedicated in worship on May 20 and planted in the earth of our community lasagna garden. Click here for more details of this ministry and how you can become involved.
St. Baldrick's Day: Three Have Heads
Shaved for Childhood Cancer Research
March
18--Immediately following worship, three individuals had their heads
shaved to raise funds for childhood cancer research. A fourth
had his head shaved at the community event yesterday.
Levin Marling, Pat Roxby, and Judy Casto lost their hair today. Dave Parson's lost his hair yesterday. Each of the participants collected pledges. The funds will be distributed through the St. Baldrick's Day Foundation for childhood cancer research.
Average Gleaning on Track to Exceed Goal!
Mar.
15--The average weekly gleaning in March is on track to exceed the
weekly goal. The average gleaning for the first two weeks of
the month is 63-1/2 items. This figure represents an increase of 60%
over March 2006. The weekly average in March of 2006 was 38.4 items.
Last
Month:
Weekly Average for February 2007: 33.00 (a 25% increase over
February 2006)
Weekly Average for February 2006: 26.33
Annual
Average:
Weekly Average for 2007 (so far): 41.3 (a 20% increase)
Weekly Average for 2006: 34.54
The Seeds Are Here! The Seeds Are Here!
Mar. 14--The seeds for
First
Christian's community garden arrived today. Folks are
needed who are willing to take a few seeds, some soil, a tray, and
begin the seedlings for the Community Garden.
The harvest from this lasagna garden will provide fresh vegetables for the the 18th Street Mission in Wheeling. "Lasagna Gardening is a nontraditional organic gardening method that relies on a layering method called "sheet composting." The name "Lasagna," comes from the way garden beds are created from layers, the same way you layer ingredients when making a pan of lasagna. Watering and weeding are reduced through the heavy layers of mulch and by planting crops close together." (Source: www.thriftyfun.com)
All materials are supplied. If you have a window sill that could help, please let Maggie or Wendy Barbeau (277-4509) know.
Average Gleaning on Track to Exceed Goal!
Mar.
15--The average weekly gleaning in March is on track to exceed the
weekly goal. The average gleaning for the first two weeks of
the month is 63-1/2 items. This figure represents an increase of 60%
over March 2006. The weekly average in March of 2006 was 38.4 items.
Last
Month:
Weekly Average for February 2007: 33.00 (a 25% increase over
February 2006)
Weekly Average for February 2006: 26.33
Annual
Average:
Weekly Average for 2007 (so far): 41.3 (a 20% increase)
Weekly Average for 2006: 34.54
Children Support Gleaning Ministry
Feb. 26--Gleaning Bags, made by the Christian Children's Fellowship (CCF), were blessed and distributed to the congregation yesterday morning during worship. The CCF gathered Friday evening for pizza, games, and to make bags for the congregation to carry their gleaning offerings of food in to church each Sunday.
Click
here to learn about CCF.
Click
here to view photos of CCF's gleaning bags.
Children Support Gleaning Ministry
Feb. 26--Gleaning Bags, made by the Christian Children's Fellowship (CCF), were blessed and distributed to the congregation yesterday morning during worship. The CCF gathered Friday evening for pizza, games, and to make bags for the congregation to carry their gleaning offerings of food in to church each Sunday.
Click
here to learn about the Gleaning Ministry.
Click
here to learn about CCF.
Click
here to view photos of CCF's gleaning bags.
Gleaning Ministry: Monthly Average Collection Grows
Jan.
17--The average number of items collected each month continues to
climb toward the goal of fifty. In December of 2005, the first
full-month of the ministry, the average collection was 18.8 items
per Sunday. Last month, the average collection was 34.6 items!
The January 2007 average after two Sundays is 30 items. The
food gleaned from this ministry is delivered to the 18th Street
Mission in Wheeling.
Click here to read the Biblical basis for gleaning.
Created by God Begins Tonight
Jan.
11--The weekend-long Created by God ministry begins this evening
with a parent session. The children will begin their study
Friday evening. Created by God is a comprehensive event to
help preteens in the 5th, 6th, & 7th grade gain a healthy, faithful
understanding of human sexuality. Created by God in Wheeling
is a collaborative effort of First Christian, Edgwood Evangelical
Lutheran, Christ United Methodist, Resurrection Lutheran, and Vance
Memorial Presbyterian Churches.
Click
here to learn more about Created by God.
Over Forty Gifts Collected & Delivered to 18th Street Mission
Dec. 18--Thanks to everyone who purchased sweatshirts for older adults served by the 18th Street mission. Sister Constance was absolutely thrilled with the packages. We collected gifts for 40 older adults who would otherwise not have had a wrapped Christmas present. Thank you for your generosity. Maggie
First Christian Offers Free Video Greetings for Soldiers' Families
Dec. 9--Dave Parsons has been a member of First Christian Church for several years. This year, however, something really inspired him. "Our congregation approved a new mission and vision statement in March of this year. As part of it we adopted these Six Marks of Discipleship: Pray Daily, Worship Weekly, Read the Bible, Serve at and Beyond the Congregation, Be in Relationship with One Another, and Give of Your Time, Talent and Resources. There were two marks that I really wanted to work on in particular - how could I serve at and beyond the congregation using my talents."
Parsons has come up with a unique way to give back to the community
using his talents. Parsons will be offering the families of
service people stationed abroad the opportunity to make a two minute
video greeting. The greeting will then be up-linked on the internet
so that the soldiers can access the greeting wherever they are.
"All we need is their email address and we can give them the gift of
a video greeting from their family," said Parsons.
All video will be shot at First Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) 1343 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003. Shoot times will
be Sunday, December 17 from 1-3 and December 22 from 4-7p.m.. If
anyone wishes to make an appointment to film a greeting, they may
call Dave Parsons directly at 233-4467.
They Braved the Rain to Begin Lasagna Garden for Hungry
Oct. 29--The Outreach Committee, a
local group of Boy Scouts, and other members of FCC's family
gathered in the rain Saturday morning to begin preparing a lasagna
garden. The harvest from this garden will provide fresh vegetables
for the the 18th Street Mission in Wheeling. "Lasagna Gardening is a
nontraditional organic gardening method that relies on a layering
method called "sheet composting." The name "Lasagna," comes from the
way garden beds are created from layers, the same way you layer
ingredients when making a pan of lasagna. Watering and weeding are
reduced through the heavy layers of mulch and by planting crops
close together." (Source: www.thriftyfun.com)
Click here to view images of the group
braving the rain.
Gifts Under the Tree: Bring a Gift for the 18th Street Mission
Dec.
12--Members and friends of First Christian are collecting gifts of
sweatshirts for individuals who will not receive a gift this year
any other way. Sister Constance of the 18th Street Mission in
Wheeling has identified the individuals. You're encouraged to
bring a wrapped gift and place it under the tree in the narthex.
Gleaning
Ministry Concludes First Year
Nov. 17--The Gleaning Ministry marked one-year November 12. In one year, the ministry has collected 1,748 items for the 18th Street Mission and Thanksgiving bags. This figure represents an average of 34 items a week.
First Christian's Gleaning Ministry is based upon the ancient practice of gleaning from the fields (see Ruth). Modern examples of farmers allowing their fields to be gleaned for the hungry, included stories of Homer Hall sharing the bounty of his garden with others. Members and friends at First Christian, �glean� an extra can or box of something that they might buy for themselves and bring a weekly offering of food. The food is then shared with the 18th Street Mission in East Wheeling.
Created by God Ministry Returns
Sept.
4--Created by God, the faith-based human sexuality class for 5th and
6th graders that First Christian Church has helped coordinate and
sponsor for Wheeling-area families since 2002, is returning on
November 2-5, 2006. Once again, the event will be led by Dr. James
H. Ritchie, the United Methodist minister and author of the
curriculum and will be held at Christ United Methodist Church.
The program is open to girls and boys throughout the Ohio Valley in
the 5th and 6th grades, and their families. The weekend-long event
begins with a parents-only session on Thursday night and is followed
by student-only sessions (with Dr. Ritchie and small group leaders)
on Friday night, Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon. The
weekend concludes with a student session Sunday afternoon and a
family session on Sunday evening. This year, younger siblings of
Created by God participants will be invited to participate in a
�Good Touch, Bad Touch� children�s workshop, to be led by the Sexual
Assault Help Center.
Christ United Methodist Church, Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church,
and Edgewood Evangelical Lutheran Church will be our partners in
Created by God this year. Other churches are also being invited to
participate. Although we�ve had a strong volunteer turnout already,
we�re still looking for adults to participate as small group leaders
and as �logistics� volunteers (folks to help make copies, coordinate
and serve refreshments, help with �crowd control,� etc.). If you�d
like to help with this program, please contact Wendy Barbeau at
277-4509, or Rev. Maggie Sebastian.
Click
here for more information or to register your child for Created by
God or Good Touch, Bad Touch.
Katrina Anniversary Marks Start of Disciples
Recovery Initiative
August 31--Week of Compassion, the Disciples disaster response unit, is launching a new 2-year, $2+ million long- term hurricane recovery initiative to ensure that Disciples' response to the most disastrous hurricane year on record continues. The initiative calls for Disciples to send 750 work groups to the region between September 1, 2006, and August 31, 2008, to support the work of our five established mission stations and the efforts of several long-term interfaith recovery organizations and to build a dozen Disciples Habitat homes for low-income families who were left homeless. Click here for more information about the Disciples Recovery Initiative.
First Christian Camps Overnight at Relay for Life in Park
August 13--First
Christian set up Camp in Wheeling Park overnight Friday at the Relay
for Life. Marc Kossuth, Don Hinton, and Don Miller, all cancer
survivors from First Christian, took the Survivor Lap Friday evening
and other members took turns throughout the night walking laps to
raise funds for cancer research.
First Christian fielded a relay team in the Ohio County Relay for Life that began at 7:00 Friday evening and continued until 7:00 Saturday morning. Relay for Life is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and is a way to raise money to fight cancer.
Click
here to view photos of the Relay for Life.
Click here for more information about Relay for Life of Ohio County.
Wheeling Island Softball Team Holds Car Wash After Church
August
7--The Wheeling Island Girls Softball team coached by Dave Parsons
and consisting of several girls from First Christian held a car wash
yesterday after worship. The car was was a way to raise money
so that they will be able to field a team this fall. Many of the
girls' families are unable to afford the fees typically associated
with softball leagues. Dave said this gives the girls an
opportunity to help raise money for the team expenses.
FCC Relay Team Needs Walkers
August
2--Walkers are needed for First Christian's Relay for Life Team
August 11. Relay for Life is sponsored by the American Cancer
Society and is a way to raise money to fight cancer. To sign
up to walk call Kent Hinton at 304-242-1671 or e-mail him at
relayforlife@bigroundwindow.com. You may also sign up in
the narthex following worship on Sunday.
Click here for more information about Relay for Life of Ohio County.
Gleaning Collection Sets Record
July 31--Sixty-seven nonperishable food items were collected yesterday. This is the largest number of items collected on any one Sunday since the Gleaning Ministry began in mid-November. To date 1,068 items have been collected. The goal for the ministry is an ongoing collection of 50 items each and every week. Click here to learn more about First Christian's Outreach Ministries.
FCC Fields a Relay for Life Team
July
17--First Christian Church will be fielding a Relay for Life Team
August 11. Relay for Life is sponsored by the American Cancer
Society and is a way to raise money to fight cancer. E-mail
Wendy Barbeau at
outreach@bigroundwindow.com for more information or stop by the
table in the narthex after worship on Sunday.
Click here for more information about Relay for Life of Ohio County.
Prison Health Care Resolution Reported in DisciplesWorld
June
26--The First Christian Church sponsored Resolution
"Compassionate Health Care for Prisoners" which passed by
voice vote at the 119th Regional Assembly of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia is a news item in the July
issue of
DisciplesWorld.
The resolution calls for churches to advocate on behalf of prisoners for adequate health care (as guaranteed by law.) Dr. David Kappel and Rev. Maggie Sebastian presented the proposal to the Assembly and answered questions. First Christian Church will now be preparing implementation packets for churches across the region and will be taking this resolution to the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2007.
Click
here to read the DisciplesWorld news article.
Click
here to read the Resolution (pdf).
Click
here to view the PowerPoint (ppt).
Click
here to print a pdf of the PowerPoint.
How Well Are We Gleaning?
June 26--Our recent slump in gleaning of items improved yesterday as forty-six items were collected. Our goal is to glean fifty items each and every week. The idea is to get into the habit of buying one extra item of nonperishable food each and every time we each go to the grocery store and then to bring the item or items to church on Sunday as an offering for the 18th Street Mission. Above is a chart of our progress during the last seven weeks toward our goal of fifty cans every week. We actually exceeded our goal with 51 items on May 14th, fell off for five weeks but increased significantly yesterday. Feel an urge to go to the store?
Christian Peacemaker to Speak at First Christian
July 20--Beth Pyles, a member of the Christian Peacemakers Team, will be
giving a slide presentation of her recent experiences in Iraq at
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1343 National Road on
Monday, July 24 at 7 p.m.
Ms. Pyles, a West Virginian who practiced law in Parkersburg for 22
years, graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in May, 2005.
Since then, she has traveled to Colombia, and worked in Iraq as a
reservist member of
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) for two two-month stints. CPT
is a faith-based violence-reduction organization, born of the idea
that Christians who desire peace in our world must work with the
same level of commitment and in the same places of conflict as do
soldiers in war.
Ms. Pyles grew up in Fairmont, West Virginia, where her mother
Harriett and oldest son, Benjamin, live as well. She also has two
step-children, Seth and Anna. While seeking a call to a church as
pastor, Ms. Pyles has made appearances all over the country speaking
about the Iraqi people with whom she lived and worked while there.
Seminarian Challenges Community to "Never Forget"
July 19--Andrea Brownlee, a seminary student at Lexington (KY)
Theological Seminary and member of First Christian Church,
Moundsville spoke last evening about her experiences on a recent
trip to Poland.
Brownlee's
presentation included many images of the places she visited and the
story of one particular survivor, Pinchas. As an 11-year old boy who
went to the camps from the Warsaw Ghetto, his father told him to
tell people he was 18 in the hopes that it would enhance his chances
of survival. Over and over again, Pinchas escaped almost certain
death - his initial shower at the camp was actually a shower, he was
sent out on a work detail when the camp underwent a major
extermination, he worked with chemical bombs that should have killed
him, and finally was transferred to a kitchen detail where he stayed
until the end of the war. His story was one of the tenacity of the
human spirit and body and a story that Brownlee contends needs to be
told over and over so that the world will not repeat the horror of
genocide. "It is our responsibility to continue to tell the story of
those who lost their lives and those who survived after they are
gone. If we don't, no one will and it will be like they never
existed. No one will ever know their story and no one will ever have
the courage to fight for what is right if they don't hear the
stories of those who did." Brownlee challenged the audience that the
world community is closer to forgetting than it realizes because
genocides have occurred and continue to occur around the globe such
as in Rwanda and Darfur.
Seminarian Shares Remembrances & Hope After Concentration Camp Visits
July
14--Andrea Brownlee, a seminary student at
Lexington (KY)
Theological Seminary and member of First Christian Church,
Moundsville will be giving a presentation and leading discussion on
the Holocaust on Tuesday, July 18 at 7 p.m. at First Christian
Church, Wheeling. Ms. Brownlee would like to share her experiences
from several concentration camps she recently visited as part of
The March of Remembrance and Hope. The March of Remembrance and
Hope is an educational leadership program, the purpose of which is
to teach students of different religious and ethnic backgrounds
about the dangers of intolerance through the study of the Holocaust,
and to promote better relations among people of diverse cultures.
More information may be obtained at
www.remembranceandhope.com. Refreshments will follow the
discussion.
Global Mission: Carmen Acosta to Speak on Columbian Women's
Justice
June 5--Carmen Acosta, the President and Regional Coordinator of the
Women's Network in Cartagena, Colombia will speak June 12 at 7:00
p.m. The Women's Network is the recipient of the 2005
Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and
the United Church of Christ Award of Affirmation for its work
as a human rights/social action organization that functions in a
Christian context through ecumenical relations and church
participation. The goal of the Network is to equip women through
education, economic development, human rights, leader development,
and training of skills for self-sustenance and physical safety. The
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization on
American States notes that women "are in a difficult situation in
Colombia, as they suffer particularly serious effects of the
violence that affects the entire country."
First Christian Church will host a light reception following Ms.
Acosta's presentation.
Gleaning Exceeds Target Sunday
May 15--Fifty-one food items were collected today to be distributed to the 18th Street Mission. This is the largest number of items collected on any one Sunday since the Gleaning Ministry began in mid-November. To date 702 items have been collected. The goal for the ministry is an ongoing collection of 50 items each and every week. This is only the second time that the target of fifty was reached. Click here to learn more about First Christian's Outreach Ministries.
Compassionate Health Care for Prisoners Affirmed by Assembly
April 30--The First Christian Church sponsored Resolution "Compassionate Health Care for Prisoners" passed by voice vote at the 119th Regional Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia.
The resolution calls for churches to advocate on behalf of prisoners for adequate health care (as guaranteed by law.) Dr. David Kappel and Rev. Maggie Sebastian presented the proposal to the Assembly and answered questions. First Christian Church will now be preparing implementation packets for churches across the region and will be taking this resolution to the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2007.
Click
here to read the Resolution (pdf).
Click
here to view the PowerPoint (ppt).
Click
here to print a pdf of the PowerPoint.
Community Garden Beginnings
April
2--The Faith Formation class has many seedlings started but they
will need help establishing our new Community Garden. The
harvest from the Community Garden will be donated to local soup
kitchens and homeless shelters. If you have expertise, talent,
or a yen for this sort of thing, please let telephone Wendy
Barbeau at 304-277-4509 or e-mail her at
outreach@bigroundwindow.com We will need to be ready to
begin our planting soon!
First Christian Donates 37% of Shoes Needed by SAHC
March 27--George Yoho, FCC member and social worker at the Sexual Assault Help Center (SAHC) thanked the congregation today for their help in collecting 37% of the needed used shoes. The SAHC is joining this effort with nine other rape crisis centers around West Virginia, which are all partially grant funded by the Foundation for Rape Information (FRIS). After collecting and transporting the shoes to Charleston for an April 6, 2006 conference, they will be arranged in a collective dramatic display at the State Capitol building to raise public awareness about sexual assault. After the event, the usable shoes will be donated to various charitable organizations.
Daniel Raises $1600 to Fight Childhood Cancer
March 18--Seven-year-old Daniel Blum had his head shaved of all hair yesterday in the Stone Room at Wheeling Park. This was no haircut of convenience; this was a haircut for which church members and friends pledged money to St. Baldrick's Day if Daniel shaved his head. Funds raised on St. Baldrick's Day are disbursed to help find a cure for childhood cancers. As of yesterday, Daniel had raised $1600. It's not too late to contribute. You can help Daniel meet his goal of $2,000 to fight childhood cancer. Place your donation marked "St. Baldrick's" in the offering plate, mail your contribution to the church, or donate online by clicking here .
Click
here to view additional photos of St. Baldrick's Day 2006.
St. Baldrick's Day Luncheon Canceled; Donations Still Needed
March 11--After much consideration, the Outreach
Committee has decided to cancel tomorrow�s St. Baldrick�s
potluck luncheon. It�s been a tough call, and we�ve asked
ourselves what Bobby Wolen would want. We hope that this
decision, which has been made out of love and respect for his
family, would�ve been OK with
him.
It�s what Rev. Maggie Sebastian has called his �giving spirit�
that�s made it a tough call; several people have suggested that
he�d want us to stay the course and show our support for
seven-year-old Daniel Blum and this ministry.
We can continue to support Daniel � and we hope you�ll do so �
even without Sunday�s potluck: by making a donation to St.
Baldrick�s in his honor; by taking part in tomorrow�s Steelers
blanket raffle (the proceeds from which will go to St.
Baldrick�s); and by turning out to support Daniel at the March
17th head-shaving event at Wheeling Park.
Just this morning, there was a story in
The Intelligencer about a six-year-old Bellaire boy � the
son of a Neffs fireman � who�s been diagnosed with stage four
neuroblastoma. Even before his diagnosis, the Neffs fire
department had planned to take part in St. Baldrick�s. Now this
event has new meaning for them. Please remember that by
supporting Daniel, you�re supporting life-saving research for
children like Cody St. John.
To those of you who�ve worked so hard in preparation for
tomorrow�s dinner � especially Dave Parsons � thank you. If we
can make the opportunity to rally around Daniel (in his new �do)
with a luncheon or dinner in the next few weeks, we hope you�ll
join us then. But tomorrow, let�s pray for a cure for cancer
instead. Wendy Barbeau, Outreach Chair
Six-Year-Old to Shave His Head for Childhood Cancer
Feb. 13--Daniel has offered, and Mom has consented, to have his head
shaved to help raise money for childhood cancer research through St.
Baldrick's Day. Members and friends will seek pledges of donations
if Daniel has his head shaved. First Christian's goal is to raise at
least $2,000. Other churches and the local police department
will also be working to raise money. At a dinner
immediately after service on Sunday, March 12 the congregation will
gather to encourage and celebrate the pledges. Daniel's head
will be shaved on March 17 with other community members at the White
Palace in Wheeling Park. To sponsor Daniel pick up a pledge sheet at
church or you can pledge online by
clicking here.
Week of Compassion: When was it we saw you thirsty?
Feb. 13--Through our gifts to Week of Compassion, we have been able to respond to the inquiry, �When was it that we saw you thirsty?� From Darfur, Sudan to Afghanistan; from Niger to Pakistan; from Indonesia to the U.S. Gulf Coast, through Week of Compassion, we have been giving water to those who thirst and in so doing, give drink to Jesus. Friends and families of First Christian gave over $7,000 to Week of Compassion in 2005.
For those of us in the Northern Panhandle, who could forget the Flood of 2004 from the remnants of Ivan? Just recently to
relocated to West Virginia, I had never been in a natural disaster like the flood. As our congregation went from home
home, shoveling mud,
bleaching walls, and collecting debris, we were thirsty.
These were warm days in September. How grateful we were for cold
bottles of water as we worked. The difference between my thirst
on those warm days and the thirst of those in the devastated
Gulf region or in earthquake ravaged Pakistan was that I knew I
could always go home for water. They had no home, no
infrastructure to bring them water expect for groups like Week
of Compassion.
This year as we gather our nickels and quarters and dollars and
tens and twenties for Week of Compassion, let us remember that
for each person for whom we provide cold water and a safe place
to rest, we do so for our Lord
Rev. Maggie Sebastian
Wanted: Shoes
Jan. 17--The Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center, Inc. (SAHC) is seeking your help with a special project. April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and to represent the 321 new sexual assault victims served by SAHC during the year 2005, the center is attempting to collect the same number of pairs of shoes. The goal is to collect old and/or new men, women, and children�s shoes. SAHC is joining this effort with nine other rape crisis centers around West Virginia, which are all partially grant funded by the Foundation for Rape Information (FRIS). After collecting and transporting the shoes to Charleston for an April 6, 2006 conference, they will be arranged in a collective dramatic display at the State Capitol building. After the event, the usable shoes will be donated to various charitable organizations. There will be a collection box in the narthex. George Yoho will collect the shoes. Click here to read the rest of this story.
(SAHC) has offices in Wheeling and Steubenville and serve several counties in West Virginia and Ohio including Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Jefferson, and Belmont. All services offered at SAHC are free of charge, confidential, and open to men, women, and children both primary and secondaryvictims of sexual assault. Services include but are not limited to advocacy, crisis intervention, supportive counseling, referrals to appropriate community agencies, accompaniment needs, community education, and a 24-hour, 7 day a week crisis hotline. A number of different grants and donations including the United Way support SAHC.
Further information is available by calling the Wheeling office at
(304) 234-1783. The crisis hotline number is (304) 234-8519 or
1-800-884-7242.
Interfaith March for Peace & Justice Sunday in Wheeling
Jan. 9--Congregations from churches
throughout the Ohio Valley will walk in solidarity to
celebrate
the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during an
Interfaith March for Peace and Justice on Sunday, January 15 at 1:00
p.m. The Interfaith March is part of a series of community
events to mark Wheeling's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Community
Celebration.
The March will begin in two places: on the east end of National Road at Wheeling Park and in the west at Temple Shalom. Participants choose which place to start. The two groups will walk along National Road toward Washington Avenue, with church groups and congregations joining along the way. The two groups will meet at Christ United Methodist Church and then proceed along Washington Avenue to Wheeling Jesuit University. The March will end at the University's Chapel of Mary and Joseph where a brief program will be held. A luncheon in Wheeling Jesuit's dining hall will follow the March. (The cost of the luncheon is $3 per person.) The March is open to any group, church, or individual in the Ohio Valley. Call the church at 304-242-1520 or e-mail Maggie at maggie@revmother.org for more information.
Family Settled Into New Home
Jan. 8--The churches of District 1 and the Ohio Valley have responded beyond our dreams. The Montz family is doing well and are lodged in their new home in Glen Dale. There will be NO shower for them as they have most of their needs met. Please pray for Sean Montz (dad) on January 28 as he goes for his agility test the Sheriff's Department. Click here for more information about First Christian's Hurricane Response.
FCC Blankets Wheeling With Christ's Warmth
Dec. 6--Sister Constance Dodd of C
atholic
Neighborhood Missions approached First Christian about participating
in a ministry of the Mission. In an effort to help people keep their
heating bills at a
minimum, Sister Constance will be handing out electric heaters and blankets. By encouraging families to bundle up and keep their thermostats down, she hopes to keep their heat on. First Christian has pledged to help purchase blankets for this community mission. We are currently negotiating with electric blanket manufacturers for the best price on full-sized blankets. Please watch for details. The blankets that we purchase will be blessed at our December 18th service.
"Grocery Gleaning" Continues
Dec. 6--Members and friends are getting into the habit of purchasing
a non-perishable item to share with local food banks each time they
visit the grocery store. The goal is to collect 150 cans each
and every week. 
Background. Recently there was a discussion on the church listserv about the ancient practice of gleaning from the fields (see Ruth). Modern examples of farmers allowing their fields to be gleaned for the hungry, included stories of Homer Hall sharing the bounty of his garden with others. Because of these stories, Tim Graves has suggested that we glean at the grocery. When you go to the grocery , �glean� an extra can or box of something, Tim will make sure the offerings are taken each week to the local food bank. The goal is to collect between 150 and 200 cans every week.
"Grocery Gleaning" Begins with Twenty-Seven Cans
Nov. 21--On the first week of grocery gleaning First Christian Church collected 27 cans for local food banks.
Background. Recently there was a discussion on the church
listserv about the ancient practice of gleaning from the fields (see
Ruth). Modern examples of farmers allowing their fields to be
gleaned for the hungry, included stories of Homer Hall sharing the
bounty of his garden with others. Because of these stories, Tim
Graves has suggested that we glean at the grocery. When you go to
the grocery , �glean� an extra can or box of something, Tim will
make sure the offerings are taken each week to the local food bank.
The goal is to collect between 150 and 200 cans every week.
50 Bags Blessed & Distributed
Nov. 21--As people arrived for worship yesterday, many were carrying grocery sacks filled with full meals for those in need. The fifty bags of food were placed before the communion table and blessed during morning worship. In the afternoon, members and friends went out from the church to deliver the bags to local people.
Empty Bags are Ready to Be
Filled
Oct. 31--The Outreach Committee will again be sponsoring Thanksgiving Bags for families in need the Wheeling area. The need is expected to be great this year.
Lists of items to fill a Thanksgiving Bag include 5 pounds of potatoes, stuffing, bread, canned vegetables, and other fixings. If you wish to sponsor a turkey, Jan Kinser will be selling gift certificates every Sunday until November 13. If you know of a needy family, please call Pat in the office at 304-242-1520 or you can e-mail Wendy Barbeau at outreach@bigroundwindow.com or by phone at 304-277-4509.
|
The West Virginia Disciples Disaster Response website which is found at disciplesrespond.com You can sign up to be on the listserv from the website. |
Disaster Response Region Seeks Better Coordination of Disaster Response October 22--At the West Virginia Regional Planning meeting in Parkersburg last Saturday, the need for better communication during time of disaster was noted. In an effort to improve our response to disaster in our region, a website and listserv has been set up. Click here to find out more about the purposes of this website and list. |
Katrina Response
Household Items Enroute to Evacuee Family in Charleston
|
October 17--John Cole left this morning for Charleston with his truck full of household items donated by the District 1 Disciples churches for an evacuee family that is moving from Camp Dawson to an apartment in Charleston. Click here for more information about Katrina response. |
|
|
|
 |
John Cole begins moving items from the church narthex (above left), just a few of the many "items of everyday life" ready to go to Charleston (above center), and John Cole secures items in his truck (above right) before leaving for Charleston. Click on a photo for a larger image.
Kids Respond to Katrina
Kids Collect Heart to Heart Kits
The
children (and adults) of First Christian Church are
continuing to collect and create both Heart to Heart
Kits. Kids wishing to participate in this community
outreach project can bring full kits or individual items
to be used in creating the full kits. Bring your
items or full kits to church on Sunday.
Click
here for directions on how to put together a full kit.
Click
here for a list of items for the kits (scroll to page two).
Congregation Offers to Host Refugees
September
2--At our time of prayer on Wednesday, Nancy from Island Christian
suggested that the churches in District I work together to host a
refugee family from the affected area. I have contacted Jennifer
Riggs at the Division of Homeland Ministries who is in charge of the
Disciple refugee program.
Currently the Disciples are working with Church World Service, other
sister organizations, and the US government to set up a refugee
program. I do not know if this will be a permanent relocation
program or emergency or both. I think we are up to either. At this
point, she cautions that she has no idea of what the government will
allow - I guess they get to decide what parts of the country are
allowed to accept
refugees. Anyway, it will take several weeks to get this together -
she has taken my phone numbers and email as a point of contact. As
she sends out updates, I will let everyone know. Once we have any
kind of inkling of what will be necessary, we can have a meeting of
people from
each of the interested congregations to bang out a plan of support
and response.
I am overwhelmed by the willingness of so many in our congregations
to reach out to the stranger. God is indeed in our midst! Maggie
Click here for more information on Katrina Response.
Week of Compassion: Grants Still Being Sent to West Virginia to Help with Ivan Relief
August 29--Since the summer of 2001, West Virginia has received ten federal disaster declarations. Last year, the state, which is one of the poorest in the U.S., was especially hard hit with floods and mudslides after the worst hurricane season in more than forty years. The West Virginia Council of Churches, which includes the Christian Church in WV, has been deeply involved in recovery work. The Council, with the support of Church World Service disaster staff, has been instrumental in organizing six long-term recovery groups to address ongoing unmet needs and carry out other long-term recovery initiatives. In addition to emergency grants to a number of local Disciples congregations and the Council in the immediate aftermath of last year's hurricanes, WOC has just sent another grant to support these long-term recovery projects of the Council. Click here for more information about Week of Compassion's work in West Virginia and around the world.
Northern Panhandle Long Term Recovery Committee Update
August
24--NPLTRC met on August 22 to continue to hear cases in need of
assistance. Les Davidson reported that he has handled a total of 268
himself � 71 cases that are currently open and 15 new cases in the
last two weeks.
One triumph that Les reported was a walking bridge completed for a
family near Short Creek. Over 147 people-hours were donated to
restore this family to safety. Many new cases are being opened as
people living in FEMA trailers are being told that they will have to
leave soon. Without other options many have to deal with their
damaged homes � some of which FEMA �condemned� and have been closed
up since Sept. 17, 2004.
The stories behind the cases range from routine, to humorous, to
heart-breaking, to miraculous. The committee needs church teams who
are willing to help with labor still. If interested call 233-0880,
ex. 468.
Storms Strike Again
Monday, November 7, A.D. 2005
Early Sunday morning unseasonal but powerful tornadoes ripped across
the Ohio River near Henderson, KY, and Evansville, IN. At least 23
people were killed and 200 injured. Especially hard hit was the
Eastbrook Mobile Home Park just east of Evansville, where more than
100 homes were destroyed. These were the deadliest tornadoes to hit
Indiana since 1974, when twisters killed 47 people and destroyed
more than 2000 homes.
Week of Compassion has been in contact with local Disciples pastors,
and the impact on our churches and members appears to be slight,
though assessments are continuing. WOC will be working with our
congregations and Church World Service to assist local interfaith
response and recovery efforts.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Hurricane Wilma recently affected much of southern Florida. Many
Disciples churches are still recovering from last year�s hurricanes.
As they now recover from yet another storm, we ask for your prayers
and expressions of support for our Floridian brothers and sisters.
Week of Compassion has been working closely with the Florida Region
to respond to the needs of our Disciples congregations and families.
We are happy to report no injuries, but there was minor structural
damage to many of our churches. We are also happy to report that
power has finally been restored in most of the affected areas. In
power-less periods like the last few weeks, we praise God for cell
phones that allowed us to be in touch with our Disciples family!
The following churches whose facilities were affected have already
received grants:
First Christian Church, Naples
Central Christian Church of Coral Gables
Good Shepherd Missionary Christian Church, Miami
University Christian Church, Miami
Royal Palm Christian Church, Coral Springs
First Christian Church, Fort Pierce
Tropical Sands Christian Church, Palm Beach Gardens
In addition to these grants, we have also shown our solidarity with
families needing assistance in the following churches:
Faith Christian Church, Hollywood
First Christian Church, Lehigh Acres
Fort Myers Christian Church
First Christian Church, Vero Beach
Mt. Zion Christian Church, St. Petersburg
First Christian Church, Naples
Parkway Christian Church, Davie
Tropical Sands Christian Church, Palm Beach Gardens
Royal Palm Christian Church, Coral Springs
Week of Compassion has also provided a $4,000 grant to Tropical
Sands Christian Church, Palm Beach Gardens, for them to present to
our partner organization, Christian Manor Senior Community.
Christian Manor suffered significant damages to its facilities,
including three destroyed roofs, and many residents are in great
need. We were pleased to present this expression of our support and
compassion to this community.
We will continue to be in touch with all of our affected families
and churches in Florida as they clear trees, debris, fix roofs,
patch holes, and otherwise rebuild. While Wilma did not claim any
lives among Disciples, it did affect the lives of all living in the
hurricane�s path � even if only for a few hours, days, or weeks.
Recovery, as we know, can take years. After so many other hurricanes
in past years, it has been especially difficult to fully recover.
Thank you for your ongoing support that enables Week of Compassion
to respond immediately and directly to our sisters and brothers in
need, whether in Florida or elsewhere around the world.
Johnny Wray
Twenty from First Christian Church Join Others Seeking to Reclaim Neighborhood From Drug Dealers
Wheeling, April 29--Twenty from First Christian Church linked arms and participated in a Holy Ground Action sponsored by Hopeful City of Wheeling this evening. The Action began at Agape Baptist Church and included a march on street corners where drug deals are known to occur. An ecumenical group of clergy, including Rev. Sebastian, led prayer and rituals sanctifying this area as Holy Ground and off limits to drug dealing.
Mission Work Includes Raising Funds, Bald Heads, and
Lots of Mud
From participating in relief efforts in the wake of December�s
devastating Indian ocean tsunami, to shaving their heads to raise
money for childhood cancer research, parishioners of all ages have
engaged in helping others.
Rev. Maggie Sebastian stated, �Living the Gospel message of Jesus
means reaching out to those around you. In so doing, the people of
First Christian not only continue to witness to their faith, but are
growing and learning from the very people they reach out to. Mission
should never be one way. It is a mutual experience.�
The
church automatically gives twenty percent of their $162,000 annual
operating
budget in mission. Additional funds are collected for
denominational mission projects that totaled over $4,400 in 2004.
Organizations that benefit from local mission giving include Faith in
Action, Soup Kitchen of Wheeling, House of Carpenter, American Red
Cross, Catholic Charities, The Gideons, Health Rite, Historic Bethany,
Meals on Wheels, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Habitat for
Humanity, and Salvation Army.
West
Virginia
Disciples
Disaster Response
Wheeling and the Ohio Valley were hit very hard by the remnants of Hurricane Ivan.
The following links may be useful:
Federal
Emergency Management Agency
What to do about a flood damage home? (American Red
Cross)
How
to donate (American Red Cross)
Small
Business Administration Help for Hurricane Recovery
Emergency Recovery of Photographs
Recovery of Valuables and Heirlooms After a Flood
What is the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
doing to help with flood relief?