APRIL 2020

A SPECIAL FEATURE FROM PASTOR LAWRENCE AND PASTOR MARC

UPCOMING EVENTS Since things are changing daily, even hourly, for the latest information on upcoming ministry events, please check The Church Calendar oxfordpresbychurch.org/calendar/ Visit Our Facebook Page facebook.com/ OxfordPresbyterianChurch Contact The Church Office.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy Faithfulness... in all times and places, we affirm these words. In times of great change, we put our trust in the message of this cherished hymn and the truth of scripture:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

After much prayerful discernment, the church office is currently closed due to the precautions in place for COVID-19. Our faith teaches us we are connected to one another beyond social distancing and safe physical boundaries. Please continue reaching out to any of our staff members through a phone call - 513.523.6364 or email. (See page 15)

“Honestly hadn’t planned on giving up quite this much for Lent.” That was a recent tweet by theologian Andy Crouch on March 13th. It’s a pretty funny joke (as tweets go), but like many great jokes there’s a kernel of truth underneath it. This is not the Lent that we had imagined. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been asking a lot of questions about this “new normal” in the time of Coronavirus. How long will this last? How long do we have to

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“quarantine?” Where can I find toilet paper? What’s going to happen with that family trip we had planned? With that wedding? With Easter? Many of the questions seem to be variations of a deeper question underneath them all: “What does this all mean?” We don’t think any of us can really know for sure what the answers to all of those questions are. Life in the time of Coronavirus is a wilderness time. The season of Lent, in many ways, is symbolic of the wilderness. As we move together through this forty day liturgical season, we are reminded of the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness. During this time he was cut off. Isolated from friends and family. Limited access to food (if any). Maybe even a little bit tempted by the devil. A few years ago, the Old Testament theologian Walter Brueggemann once told Marc that intentional times of spiritual discipline (such as Lent or Sabbath for that matter) are not supposed to be convenient. They are intended to disrupt and break our ordinary patterns of behavior. We do not believe that God caused this Coronavirus, nor do we believe that this pandemic is God’s will. However, we do believe that even in the midst of pandemic, we (as people of faith) can find new opportunities to draw closer to one another and to ultimately draw closer to God. This is a very different season of Lent. We honestly had not planned on giving up

quite this much. We had not planned on giving up seeing our friends. Going to restaurants. Getting coffee with campus students. Enjoying our fellowship with one another. We had not planned on giving up worshiping in traditional ways with our beloved community. At the same time, we are also amazed at the ways that we have seen faithfulness breaking through. As we scroll through Oxford Talk on Facebook, we have been inspired by the stories of teachers organizing to deliver meals to their students. Employees at grocery stores working overtime to help make sure people have what they need. Doctors, nurses, and caregivers going the extra mile to care for the sick. We hadn't planned on giving up this much...but we had also not planned on seeing a community come together this closely and perhaps (in our own way) drawing closer to God together. John’s gospel offers a record of one disciple who drew closer to the Lord. The extraordinary account begins in John chapter 13 as Jesus gathered to celebrate the festival of Passover with his disciples. Modeling service and humility, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. During this season of the COVID-19, when we send that letter, or deliver those groceries, make that phone call, or share these stories in our community, we mimic Jesus' act of humble love and servanthood for one another. Recalling the great story of salvation and deliverance from slavery, they shared

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

the Passover meal. Following the meal, the disciples settled down for one of Jesus’ teachings. Little did the disciples know that it would be Jesus last - and among his greatest teachings. Let’s zoom in on one disciple as recorded in verse 23. Early Christian interpretation offered that St. John was the disciple who leaned against Jesus. As Jesus taught, John heard the heartbeat of God. How is Jeus inviting - calling - you to lean in and listen to the heartbeat of God during this most unexpected season? With worship services live streamed for the foreseeable future, how will you prepare for a Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter unlike any you’ve probably known before or will ever experience again? Intentional acts of mission? Contemplative walks in nature? Reading through a gospel? Keeping a journal? Praying with a friend through a video call? How will we recognize the empty tomb? How will we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Let us be the church of new life! Let us lean in to joyfully rediscover God’s heartbeat at the heart of our own lives and in all creation!

FROM THE WORSHIP AND MUSIC TEAM

In light of the fact that the Coronavirus epidemic shows no signs of abating, we will continue to live-stream our Sunday worship services as long as the current emergency persists. This means that we will be observing Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday in very nontraditional ways. Watch for future communications regarding special activities aimed at helping you with your personal and family worship practices during these holy days. We plan to hold a traditional, celebratory Easter worship service later in the year when it is safe for us to gather to do so.

Greetings from CE ~ Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Lenten Series is cancelled. If you have the Lenten Series book, “Beatitudes from the Back Side - A Different Take on What it Means to be Blessed”, we encourage you to continue reading it on your own. This year’s Lenten devotional Becoming a Beloved Community: A Matthew 25 journey to the cross is a great way to stay connected to this Lenten season at home. The devotionals can be picked up from

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YOUTH NEWS Youth Group Online!

Beginning Sunday, March 29th, Youth Group will be meeting digitally over Google Hangouts on Sunday nights at 6:30 P.M. for a time a of conversation, checking in, and discussion led by Elliott. If you would like to participate, please add your e-mail address to the Google Sign-Up sheet at https://tinyurl.com/OPCYouthGoupHangoutSignUP. If you don't have a Google account, please contact Pastor Marc, and he will work with you to get something set up for you to participate. We will continue to keep you updated over the coming days and weeks via e-mail and social media. Please take care of yourselves. Stay safe, and stay healthy! Pastor Marc

CCNS NEWS

We have great news to share! Priority enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year opened on February 2nd. We are very excited to announce that within the first 24 hours, Sarah had enough applications to fill both classes for the upcoming year. The 2020-2021 school year will begin after Labor Day on September 8th. We will have 15 children in the Monday,

the bench in the portico. We are still planning on hosting the 3rd Grade Bible Breakfast on Sunday, April 26 9:00AM. Any 4th or 5th grader who has not yet received their bible will also be invited to this event. The status of this event will be shared in early April with families. Families with children ~ We are thinking of you during this time of seclusion! We invite each of our families with children who are Pre-K through 6th grade to pick up a Lenten lessons and activity book and a Christ is Risen! lollipop located on the bench in the portico (located by the front glass entrance way). Families with youth 7th-12th graders ~ We are thinking of you too! Check out the youth news shared in this newsletter. Many thanks to Debbie DeGennaro for teaching the 3rd-5th grade Sunday school class in January and February and to Amy Bartel for teaching the first Sundays in March. During this time of pause of our Sunday school program, we also want to take this opportunity to thank the teachers to teach every Sunday - Rhonda Krehbiel (Pre-K), Sarah Miller and Deb Sayers (K-2nd), and Prue Dana 6th-8th). Our Christian educators dedicate a tremendous amount of time and energy to teachings and we will have an opportunity to recognize them during service in May.

Thinking and praying for everyone during this time. Jenn Walter

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OXFORD PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Tuesday Afternoon Circle. Will not meet in April. Homework Assignments: Please review lessons 6 and 7 in the book Love Carved in Stone. Lesson 6 is on the 7th Word- “You shall not commit adultery”. “The wound addressed by this Word is pain caused by superficial and exploitive relationships”. Lesson 7 is on the 8th Word- “You shall not steal”. “The wound addressed in this Word is taking the easy way to get what we want at the expense of others”. Please pray the Mizpah blessing we say at the end of each of our gatherings in your homes. “May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from the other”. Amen! Lynn Cronk

Tuesday Evening Circle Will not meet in April.

Wednesday and Friday class and 13 children in the Tuesday and Thursday class. Sarah Lake has been upgrading our educational materials for the classroom- new STEM toys, classroom furniture, dollhouse, sensory bins and more. Currently, the CCNS 2019- 2020 children are working hard to prepare for kindergarten and our preschool graduation. Everyone is invited to join the ceremony on May 18th at 6:00 p.m. Stay tuned for any changes due to the Cornavirus. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our preschool! We are very excited to see what the future holds. Sarah Lake

RUMMAGE SALE Due to all of the uncertainties resulting from the virus shutdowns the spring rummage sale has been canceled. This will reduce the OPW treasury and affect the OPW support of our worthy missions. If you feel so moved please consider contributing directly to OPW in lieu of working at the now canceled rummage

THE THREE HARDEST TASKS in the world are neither physical feats nor intellectual achievements, but moral acts: to return love for hate, to include the excluded, and to say, "I was wrong.”—Sydney J. Harris Thanks to Sue Wilson for sharing.

CHURCH SERVICES AT THE KNOLLS

The corona virus means Becky will not be showing OPC services at the Knolls, but she will be thinking of you all. Take care. (Answer to the Question of the Month: S O N. The sequence is the first letter of the months of the year. September, October November are the next in order.)

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CARES, CONCERNS, JOYS AND THANK YOUs

IN OUR PRAYERS: Keep these friends in your prayers: Betty Barnhart, Jim Baird, John Curry, Bob Douglass, Nancy Gates, Genee Hesse, Chris & Hank Krueger, Ruth Miller, Jan Reinhart, Becky Rudolph, Sarah Soika, Joan Teckman, Stacey Winn, John & Jean Woodruff.

JAMIESON AWARD OPW is accepting applications for the annual Jamieson Award for high school seniors. Please contact Nancy Parkinson for more information. The required application is available on the church website: http://oxfordpresbychurch.org/. Please return application to Nancy Parkinson at parkinns@miamioh.edu by April 20, 2020 at 5:00pm.

JOYS

Leanne Staley and David Woods are engaged!!! CONGRATULATIONS!

MORE JOY WE ARE NEW GRANDPARENTS! Elias Steven Schilling was born to Ben & Amanda Schilling on Feb 27, 2020. They live in Colorado Springs but Ben grew up in the church. Thanks. Sherry & Bill Schilling

SOME THOUGHTS ON GRATITUDE And Filling A Little Space

Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation in awe of everything you see around you. Go outside and turn your attention to the many miracles around you. This five-minute-a-day regimen of appreciation and gratitude will help you to focus your life in awe. Wayne Dyer Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for. Zig Ziglar Today, I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible.”— Anonymous Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melody Beattie

sale. You can write a check to OPW and send it to the church in care of our Treasurer, Debbie Davidson. Thank You! Blessings, Sue Wilson and the Rummage Team

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MARCH SESSION MEETING Session did not meet in March due to COVID-19. But we can still report some highlights. A general note for all. Over the last several months the use of our church facilities has increased by both the congregation as well as community organizations. The occurrence of finding the buildings unlocked has also increased. For the safety and security of our staff, members, as well as physical facilities – it is imperative that every entity using either facility after office hours ensures that every door is securely locked upon exiting the building. Everyone utilizing the Memorial Church or Seminary Church is responsible for ensuring you are leaving the building safe and secure.

COMMITTEES OF SESSION Highlights

WORSHIP AND MUSIC The committee has carefully planned for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday dinner and worship service and of course Easter Sunday, with flowers and an Easter egg hunt. Sadly, it doesn’t look like we can all be together for these joyous events.

STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE

Special prayers of thanks were made for Greg, Peggy and Alex Hughes as Alex’s neurosurgery at the Mayo Clinic was successful and he begins the healing process.

February Take Five: Nick Fears has done an incredible job of taking on the Financial Secretary duties while we work to fill this position permanently. He has taken on this responsibility just in time to take care of the year end financial reporting, the giving statements, and setting up QuickBooks for 2020 on top of all of the other usual finance tasks - while still holding his regular full time position outside of this church – and clearing our sidewalks and all of the other volunteer tasks that Nick does for us. Thank you! March Take Five: Brent Bader and Greg Hughes have represented S&F on the Journey Outward Team. It was decided to dedicate $6,000 per year from the Brill account towards future mission trips to include both adults and youth. The Intergenerational Journey Outward Mission Fund (IJOM Fund) has been created for this funding. The Mission and Outreach and the Christian Education committees will oversee this fund. Additional contributions from the church family are joyfully accepted! MISSION AND OUTREACH Take Five: Prue gave an excellent presentation of Habitat, of the past, present and a possible future. Updated on Journey Outward Team’s focus, particularly on more youth participation. Matthew 25 Congregation discussion reflected active collaboration between Mission and Outreach and Called to Life leaders. (Continued… on page 10)

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The Rose Window

SAFE!

Photo by Pastor Marc

Jean and “Dutch” Derickson

Read their story on page 12

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Bishop Igor may have been speechless, but his smile says it all!

See page 11

Our relationship with our sister church is indeed a blessing.

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DEACONS

Deacon Lenten Food Drive: Our traditional Lenten Food Drive would have taken place through Palm Sunday, April 5. The following items are needed and much appreciated: peanut butter, spaghetti, tuna and personal items customers are not able to purchase with SNAP benefits such as, body wash (no bar soap, please), shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent and toilet paper. Please consider dropping off items directly at the Food Pantry, 400 W. Withrow St., hours: Monday and Thursday 5-7pm, Saturday 2-4. Monetary donations are welcome too. Best idea: give a call before you go: (513) 523-3851 Do you know someone who needs a Prayer Shawl? Shawls are given for comfort in times of illness or grief, as well as for celebration in times of joy. If you have a friend or relative to whom you would like to give a Prayer Shawl, please contact Cornelia Browne, 513-524-7716.

COOK, EAT AND READ Several years ago I compiled a book of What To Do When The Grandchildren Come of recipes coordinated with book selections. I found my copy of the book and thought I would send in these recipes for our kids and parents of young children. Lynn Cronk Resurrection Buns Roll a piece of thawed bread dough until it is flat. Wrap each flattened ball around a large marshmallow, making sure to seal all openings. Dip the ball in melted butter, then in a cinnamon sugar mixture (1/2 cup sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon). Place on a greased baking pan. Let rise until doubled. Bake at 375 for 18 to 20 minutes. (Place on tin foil to bake or grease the cookie sheet well). (Crescent rolls could be used- no need to let rise).

Bunny Rabbit Salad 1 pear for the head 2 triangles of cheese for ears 1 cherry for the nose 4 pieces of black licorice for whiskers Two raisins for the eyes. Read:Hopper Hops for Spring or Peter Cottontail Butterflies Cut celery stalk in to 4 inch pieces. Fill (Continued…on page 10) with peanut butter. Place a large twist-type pretzel on either side of celery to form butterfly wings. You may press peanut butter into pretzel. Use chow

(Highlights…continued from page 7) TRUSTEES Chester of North Shore will replace the new Seminary back door and kitchen door as soon as they arrive, and will install the recently obtained railing in the Memorial corridor outside Pastor Marc’s office.

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mein noodles for antennae. Add raisins to make eyes or body decorations. Read: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Easter Treats Raisins, chocolate chips, cheerios, a few jellybeans. Mix together and divide into cupcake liners. Use pastel m and m’s and pastel jellybeans. Read: In My Easter Bonnet

MISSION AND OUTREACH Spotlight on:

Our Sister Church in Russia For a week in late February, Oxford Presbyterian Church was blessed by a visit with Bishop Igor Maksakov as a representative from our sister church in Zlatoust, Russia. During the 2019 Russia Mission Partnership journey, five members from Oxford Presbyterian Church learned of an outreach our sister church in Zlatoust has with those in their community who live with cognitive and developmental disabilities. We also learned that the churches around Chelyabinsk seek to faithfully respond in their region to the global challenge of drug & alcohol addiction. For Igor’s visit in February, we sought to create learning journeys that might elevate an exchange of ministry ideas as we deepen our mutual mission partnership. We visited a needle exchange and harm reduction program in Middletown. Later in the day, we meet with the director and staff of a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center in Hamilton. At both locations we felt the safety and care of true sanctuaries for body, mind and soul.

We toured Safe Haven Farms, a community of choice for adults with autism and other developmental disabilities over a setting of 60 beautiful acres. Walking along the stables, through the green houses, and into the day programs at the Hatton Center, we felt the holy ground beneath our feet. Since this was Igor's fifth visit to OPC, it was a reunion with old friends as well as an introduction to new friends. We learned again of his walk with Christ. Igor became a Christian when he listened every night at 10:45 p.m. to an evangelist on Voice of America with his grandmother in the mid 1980’s. When he was 18 and had to enter military service, his grandmother told him to pray with her at 10:45 p.m. every night regardless of the time zone he was in. He did so all throughout his military service. Igor’s time in Oxford was richly filled with worship, fellowship, learning and shopping (yes, Igor did purchase shoes!) and more including: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner, Ash Wednesday dinner and worship, tours of Kumler Chapel and the Freedom Summer Memorial, and a Miami University hockey game. A true highlight of the visit took place during our luncheon on Saturday. Following a delicious meal, Igor shared the latest news from our sister church in Zlatoust. As Igor’s news for us drew to a close, representatives from the church stepped forward to share very exciting news with him. At that time we presented Igor with the total gifts raised for the renovation of the church facility in Zlatoust. So great was his surprise and gratitude, Igor found himself without words for the first time throughout all the years of our

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MEL “DUTCH” AND JEAN DERICKSON,

2650 Oxford-Millville Rd. 523-8481, # 9 Mel and Jean were married by Edwin Fairman in the Seminary Church in 1952. They have been married 67 years. Mel grew up on a farm, working with his father managing a herd of dairy cattle. As such he was given a deferment during the early years of WWII. But by 1945 he was drafted into the service and sent to Oakland, California for basic training. After he finished basic training, he was given a leave to come home before being shipped out. The war with Japan ended while he was home visiting his parents. Nonetheless, the Army still wanted him for service, so he was recalled and eventually sent to the Philippines, where he caught Malaria and spent a month in the hospital. While in the hospital, he met a fellow who had gone to school with his brother. He volunteered to get Mel transferred to the Quartermaster’s unit while he was in the Philippines. So, Mel served the rest of his time in the Quartermaster’s Corps.

When Mel finally returned to the US, he planned to return to his family’s farm. As he was settling down, he went to a basketball game at Hanover High. There he noticed a very attractive cheerleader who later became his wife, Jean. She had been alerted to Mel’s return by her father, who had met him at a farm implement show. Her father told Jean that Mel looked like a talented and honest young man whom she might want to know. Jean was still in high school and had lots of activities on her plate at that time. She was planning to go to New York where she had been accepted in modeling school. In fact, Jean and her mother did go to New York in preparation for a career in modeling, but before they got there, Jean decided that New York was not for her. So, they turned right around and came back. Her mother was delighted with her decision, as was Mel. In 1952 Mel and Jean were married and they have been together ever since. They have enjoyed great happiness together and great sorrow. Their first son died in childbirth. Their only daughter, Joy, died of cystic fibrosis at age 18. Yet they consider themselves blessed that their second son, Tim and his wife, Kelly, live next to them in their former house, when Tim is not in Columbus at his job as Assistant Director of Agriculture for Ohio. Tim and Kelly’s daughter, Katherine Joy Noble, lives in Middletown with her husband, David Noble, and with Mel and Jean’s two great-grandsons: John Timothy Noble and Henry Oliver Noble. Tim and Kelly’s son, Matthew John Derickson, lives in Lebanon with his wife,

partnership. The luncheon ended with all those present blessing Igor, the gift he carried to our sister church and our brothers and sisters in that ministry as they carry out the good news of Jesus Christ. Carol Schaber and Pastor Lawrence

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Megan. Matthew is an engineer while Megan is a nurse. After Mel and Jean’s marriage, Mel continued farming. He first established himself on Dunwoody Road, working for Joe Ayers. After three years he bought his own land and began his own farm. He raised corn, wheat, and soybeans and ran a dairy with about 118 cows. He continued dairy farming until about 1980 when the federal government had a dairy buyout and bought his herd and those of the other dairies around. It was very difficult for Mel to say goodbye to his herd after so many years. Four years after this buy-out, Mel was approached by real estate agents who wanted to build a golf course on his land. This proved to be initially a losing proposition when the clubhouse burned down with Mel holding the mortgage on the course. But it eventually worked out when the course was sold to local investors and put on a profitable basis. Mel had good luck with his farm in other ways. Shortly after he bought the farm, he was approached by Gulf Oil Company, which wanted land on which to build a filling station. He was happy to sell them the corner plot. Later, the electric company bought 10 acres and later 3 more acres for a sub-station. Farming was supplemented by land development and the family prospered. In the meantime, Jean had her own career. After deciding that New York was not for her, she returned to Hamilton and

worked for the County Treasurer for several years. Then after her children had grown, she began working for Baldwin Piano and Organ Company, teaching organ. The company had a program that with the sale of each organ, they supplied a course of 10 lessons. Jean was the teacher. She taught for 10 years. Then she took over the management of one of the Baldwin Stores. Eventually, she managed and did sales training in several other stores as well. After 10 years of managing these stores, she became the organist for Eaton Manor, in Hamilton, on Friday and Saturday night. She played there for 10 years as well. Following this, she spent the next 10 years helping her son and daughter-in-law run the Colonial Wood Furniture store which was located on the corner of their property. After 10 years doing that, she felt it was time to retire. But she still plays both her grand piano and her electric organ, which is much appreciated by her Presbyterian Women’s Circle members. Mel and Jean Derickson are delightful and interesting people who have lived prosperous and productive lives. They are both 50-year members of the Oxford Presbyterian Church. Jean served as Elder in the church while Mel was an usher for 20 years. They have both devoted much of their lives to the Oxford Presbyterian Church, and they feel themselves blessed with their lives together. Arly Allen

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WE ARE CALLED! AND—MAY JOIN IN A RACIAL IMMERSION SEMINAR! OPC is now a Matthew 25 Congregation, with the following areas of focus:

1. Eradicating systemic poverty. 2. Dismantling structural racism. 3. Building congregational vitality.

Currently our primary focus is Eradicating Systemic Poverty. However, the issue of Dismantling Structural Racism is ever present in the world in which we live and relates directly to the issue of poverty. As part of OPC’s Journey Outward, those who are interested in learning more about racism through experiences may want to consider the following learning trip, titled HIGHER GROUND JOURNEY TO ALABAMA. This is a five day/four night journey, stopping at significant civil right locations in Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma. The itinerary will include visits to locations such as Birmingham’s Civil Rights Institute and 16th Church Baptist Church, Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge, and the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute. Also included will be Montgomery’s National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legency Museum. Participants will meet Caroline McKinstry, author and survivor of the bombing of the 16th Baptist Church and view Mike Wiley’s production of Dar He; The Lynching of Emmett Till.

If you have read Bryan Stevenson’s book Just Mercy, or seen the film on which it is based, you will have a sense of what you may encounter as you travel back in time to a painful era that haunts us still. This you will see at the sites in Montgomery. The trip begins in Montgomery, AL and, given its duration and cost, we suggest that those who wish to go and experience this journey, register individually on the following website: https://highergroundjourneytoalabama-2020.evenbrite.com You will note this trip is in mid-August, 2020, an appropriate sequel to the National Civil Rights Conference being held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio June 22-23, 2020. Also, the leadership team for the Presbyterian Women’s Connection will be held Aug. 14-16 at Montreat, NC, just before the Alabama journey. On a personal note, Rick and I plan to go after hearing from my brother David and his wife, Jeannene, how remarkable the trip was last summer. They are both graduates of Princeton Seminary; he is a Presbyterian pastor and she is a spiritual director. Both are former missionaries. We think we know what racism is, but we often find that there is still a lot buried deeply, yet to be uncovered. If you have questions, please contact me. Anne Bailey baileyae@miamioh.edu

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Youth Ministry Intern: Elliott Boyle Director/Teacher C.C.N.S.:

Sarah Lake: ccnsoxfordpreschool@gmail .com

Newsletter Editor: Nancy Moeckel, moeckenj@miamioh.edu Custodian: Priscilla Parks

SESSION Class of 2020: Candace Crist, Danny Cross, Pat Gifford, Richard Munson, Steve Flee Class of 2021: Lisa Brunckhorst, Carol Klumb, Gene Krebs, Virginia Layton, Katie Payne Class of 2022: Buzz Green, Nancy Moeckel, Judy Schiller, Bill Scott, Melanie Zeigler

DEACONS

Class of 2020: Cornelia Browne, Jill Grajewski, Stephanie Hartman, Becky Quay

Pastor: Lawrence Bartel Associate Pastor: Marc van Bulck Music Director: Kent Peterson Organist: Lynn Jacobs Pastor Emeritus: Dr. Joseph R. Hookey Parish Associate: Rev. Diane Ziegler Clerk: Julia R. Fisher Administrative Assistant: Bridgite Dickerson: office@oxfordpresbychurch.org Financial Secretary: Nick Fears finance@oxfordpresbychurch.org

Class of 2021: Arly Allen, Lee Fisher, Ginny Scott, Karen Shearer, Mickey Simonds Class of 2022 Cia Beal, Chuck Crain, Debbie Davidson, Mary Jane Roberts, Carol Schaber

TRUSTEES Class of 2020: Rick Bailey, Scott Parkinson Class of 2021: Nick Fears, Joy Russell Class of 2022: Russ Logsdon, Keith Payne

Oxford Presbyterian Church Staff web page: www.oxfordpresbychurch.org

Office Hours: 8:30-4:30, M-F Telephone: 513-523-6364

Fax: 513-523-8215 Seminary Building: 513-523-7411

OFFICERS OF OPC

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APRIL BIRTHDAYS

2 Chris Poetter 3 Austin Lake 3 Nathan Pacey 5 Deb Sayers 7 Pat Gifford 7 Steve James 7 Jane Kelly 8 John Woodruff 9 Mary Jane Brower 9 Emily Platt 9 Samuel Poetter 11 Branden Butterfield 11 Dick Nelson 11 Ginny Scott 12 Dick Keebler 12 Bo Stephenson 13 Nicholas Payne 15 Elizabeth Johnson 15 Jan Krebs 17 Thomas Payne 21 Alex Hughes 23 Jean Woodruff 24 Marietta Bowlby 24 Kathy Hardy 25 Ruth Miller 27 Richard Quay 28 Bill Scott 29 Jenny Hunter (Missionary) 29 Susan Maxfield 30 Rodger Cromer 30 Cora Murray

APRIL ANTIVIRUSES April 22 is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. I love deadlines. I especially like the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by. Stock market news:

• Elevators rose • Mining equipment hit rock bottom • The market for raisins dried up • Balloon prices were inflated • Helium was up

Never refuse homemade brownies. Count your blessings. Call your mother.

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.

Tattoos done while you wait. After his claims that he could "remember when rock was young", geologists have now estimated Elton John to be over 4 billion years old.

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

What are the next three letters in this sequence? J F M A M J J A _ _ _

Find the answer hidden somewhere in the newsletter.