New Ark UCC New Ark United Church of Christ 300 East Main St. Newark, Delaware 19711

(302) 737-4711 email: newarkucc@verizon.net website: www.newarkucc.org

Reverend Cynthia Robinson, Pastor

NEW ARK NEWS March 2015

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” Psalm 130:5

From a waiting soul… “An Evening at the Table – Part Deux” Sunday, March 8. 4 p.m. – Set up. 5 p.m. – Share a meal of baked potatoes and toppings, plus salad. Worship at the table with songs, prayers, readings, discussion, offering, and Communion. 6:30 p.m. or so – Clean up. 7 p.m. – Benediction and song. Let’s talk about set up and clean up. On a Sunday morning, this is usually taken care of by a crew that signed up to start the coffee, set out some food, then afterward cart the coffee pots and cups into the kitchen, and load the dishwasher. On Sunday, March 8, setting up and cleaning up will be part of our worship. We’ll be setting up the tables and chairs for our dinner, getting out silverware and plates, spreading the tablecloths, lighting some candles, much like we would at home if we were having guests over. The Youth Group will be cooking the meal. Children are invited to decorate our placemats. I’m hoping we will be having guests: friends, neighbors, maybe a hungry college student, a hungry anyone. All of us together will create our worship with our muscle and our willingness, our minds and our hearts, our faith and our questions, and our hospitality. Then we’ll clean up together, ending with our benediction circle and song, kind of like an Amish barn raising, except without the barn and we’re not Amish. What if this Lent we viewed our work, whatever our work is, as worship? Whether we volunteer, or look after grandchildren, or babysit, or go to school or an office each day, or make a business trip, or consult a headhunter, or beef up our resumé, or do a load of laundry, that what we’re doing is worship. To worship is to honor that which made us the way we are and to share who we are with others and receive the gifts shared with us — to make community. Lent begins with these words: You are dust and to dust you shall return. Repent and believe the Good News. In other words, we are not here for long. Think differently about your life and believe that God’s love has the power to transform your life. Be one, be open, be new, Cynthia

CONVENER’S CORNER

Spring begins on March 20, and I am sure many of us are looking forward to some warmer days! This winter we have hosted a record number of individuals on Code Purple nights. It is heartwarming to hear the guests express their appreciation for the warm place to sleep, hot food, coffee, tea, snacks, and the caring and

compassion from the staff. Thank you to Bob Pasteris for the many tasks and contributions he makes in coordinating these nights for our church, in addition to the excellent job he does moving furniture to prepare for

the guests! Thanks to Connie and Mike Cox, Peggy and Harry Dillner, Mindy Dowsett, Terri Hamm, Chris Hyde, Debbie and John Micklos, Gail Pasteris, Storm Longhauser, Flo and Richard Waibel, Barbara Williams, and John and Mary Jo Williams who have served so far this year.

NAUCC’S COMMUNITY IMPACT Each year, congregations are to submit updated facts and figures from their church for the UCC Yearbook. For 2014 a new category was added called “Community Participation.” This is the estimated number of individuals in the wider community (beyond church participants) who have attended church-sponsored events or have been impacted by the church's ministries. This category is meant to assess a church’s local community impact and participation, such as Hope Dining Room, service to clients at the Newark Empowerment Center, Code Purple, Thanksgiving baskets, Adopt-a-Family, etc. After compiling the figures for the various activities/events provided to the wider community, I wanted to let you know that the total number of people impacted by our church’s ministries in 2014 was 4,644! This is a great accomplishment for our congregation and a testimony to our commitment:

“to love our sisters and brothers as ourselves” “to use all of our resources for God’s work as we seek justice and peace in the world”

as stated in our Mission Statement!

CAC ANNUAL MEETING IN JUNE 2015 The 51st Annual Meeting of the Central Atlantic Conference will be held on June 12-14, at the University of Delaware. Special guests this year are Rev. Geoffrey Black, outgoing Executive Minister and President of the UCC, Rev. Dr. Alice Hunt, President, Chicago Theological Seminary, and Rev. Cameron Trimble, Center for Progressive Renewal. A Congregational Vitality Event featuring Rev. Trimble is scheduled for Friday afternoon. You can register for the day or the entire weekend. Please see http://www.cacucc.org/annualmeeting for all information. It is a great opportunity to hear excellent speakers, attend interesting workshops, and to mix and mingle with other UCC individuals! I hope you will consider attending this year. I look forward to celebrating the Lenten season with you! Martha Bailey Convener

Share Your Memories of Past CAC Annual Meetings

As part of the two-year celebration of the Central Atlantic Conference’s 50th anniversary, the Planning

Committee is interested in hearing from persons with memories of annual meetings they attended. Do you

remember your first annual meeting? Which speakers do you remember? What moments inspired you? Please

share this request with members of your congregation, particularly older members who may have attended

some of the early meetings. Any reminisces should be sent to Arnetta Jones at ajones@cacucc.org or by mail

to the conference offices, 916 S. Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD 21228.

Adult Christian Education

March 1

(Lent)

Film: “Not My Life”

We will view the last half of the film and examine some statistics from Delaware and surrounding states about human trafficking.

Peggy Dillner

March 8

(Lent)

EVENING WORSHIP: NO TRADITIONAL CE

March 15

(Lent)

“Art as a SPIRITUAL PRACTICE”

Sarah will share some of her practices and let all participate in an art activity

Sarah Dressler

March 22

(Lent)

“Music as a SPIRITUAL PRACTICE”

Everyone will be asked to share any music that assists in their spiritual journey (listening,

playing, singing, and chanting).

Facilitated by Peggy Dillner

March 29

(Lent)

“Potpourri of SPIRITUAL PRACTICES”

What do you use? (fasting, meditation, devotions, serving, other)

Facilitated by Peggy Dillner

April 5

EASTER

NO TRADITIONAL CE

Youth Group to Fast in “Food Secure Famine”

The Youth Group will be participating in a fast from lunchtime on March 7 through dinnertime on March 8 in order to raise money for two local hunger groups: The Food Bank of Delaware and Hope Dining Room. We are calling this fast the “Food Secure Famine.” We will be gathering at the New Ark on Saturday, March 7 at 5 p.m. for a short prayer service to support ourselves during this time of fasting and to pray for those who are food insecure. Please join us for this “prayer commissioning” if you are available. If you are interested in supporting our project, here’s two ways to do so: 1. Fast with us from lunch on Saturday to dinner on Sunday whether you meet with us to join in our activities or fast on your own. 2. Donate money to our cause. Any amount that you are able to give is greatly appreciated. Youth Group members will be at the “table” on Sunday March 1 to accept pledges for the fast. I encourage everyone to participate, and I encourage you to do your own research into food scarcity in your community. The name of our project stems from the idea that 27 percent of families with children in Delaware are food insecure. This means that they do not know when they will have their next meal. Our famine is food secure because we know that we'll be breaking our fast Sunday night. Over the course of the fast, we will be educating ourselves on food scarcity by researching information and doing activities, such as budgeting a meal plan for $4.50 a day. Fred Greenzweig NAUCC Youth Group

Church Yard Sale and Silent Auction Slated for April 18 To raise funds for the Mission Trip to Pipestem, West Virginia, the Youth Group is organizing a yard sale to be held Saturday, April 18. Everyone can support this activity by donating unwanted/unused items or volunteering to help out. Items that generally sell: Jewelry and scarves Used books Kitchen utensils and cooking items Tools Holiday decorations Craft supplies Linens Small furniture items and lamps Children’s toys and books Unused health and beauty products Lawn & garden care tools and supplies Sports equipment Bicycles and tricycles Glassware and dishes Picture frames Artwork Please begin going through areas of your home and garage where unused items have landed, then get a box and start collecting. In April, we will announce how the materials can be delivered to the church. We will need volunteers to sort and display items the evening of on Friday, April 17. On Saturday, we will need people to collect the cash from those buying, staff our displays, and help people to the car with all of their purchases. This could be a win-win: unused items leave your home, new owners are happy with their bargains, and the money is raised for the Mission Trip. Anyone who volunteers to help Friday evening will have the opportunity to purchase items that night. To take a shift, look for the signup sheet in Wells Hall or use the SignUp Genius link: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0549A4AC2CA1FC1-yard If you have questions about a potential contribution, please ask Terri Hamm or Debbie Micklos. We are looking forward to a good day on April 18!

Do you have a unique talent, a unique item, a unique service that is worthy of more than a yard sale

item? To also help raise funds for the Mission Trip, a Silent Auction is being organized for those same unique

items. Could you prepare an "extreme" meal that could be offered in the Silent Auction, or provide the

entertainment at a children's party, or plan an event for someone? Do you have a piece of art that you no

longer want, yet know that it would look good in someone else's house? Be thinking of what you would like

to offer. See Greg Greenzweig with any ideas that you have. Stay tuned for more details.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Silent Auction to Coincide With Yard Sale

Worship Committee

Lent and Easter Week Services and Activities

Our Lenten theme this year is Re-Lent, because God’s love and grace are relentless.

March 1 – Second Sunday of Lent (worship service at 9:30 a.m.)

March 8 – Third Sunday of Lent – “An Evening at the Table” An informal evening worship service with dinner. Set up beginning at 4 p.m.; additional details in

the newsletter.

March 15 – Fourth Sunday of Lent (worship service at 9:30 a.m.)

March 22 – Fifth Sunday of Lent (worship service at 9:30 a.m.)

March 29 – Palm Sunday (worship service at 9:30 a.m.)

March 29 – Second Annual Peep Diorama and Easter Egg Hunt (see details below)

Maundy Thursday, April 2 (service at 7 p.m.)

A quiet worship service reflecting on Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, including the service of

Tenebrae (shadows) and Communion.

April 4 – Several opportunities for all ages to join in the life of the New Ark: Cupcake decorating for our youth, beginning at 10 a.m.

Flower Cross decorating for all, beginning at 10 a.m. All are invited to bring spring flowers and help decorate the beautiful flower cross that will adorn

our Sanctuary on Easter morning. Flower drop-offs can be done on Friday during office hours or

Saturday morning.

Easter Vigil and Bonfire – 7 p.m. at the Robinson/Kingsbury home, 21 Beech Hill Drive, Newark

(sunset: 7:24 p.m.)

April 5 – Easter Sunday 7 a.m. Sunrise service at Head of Christiana Presbyterian Church

9:30 a.m. Easter Worship in our Sanctuary

April 12 – Bright Sunday: A worship service of humor and joy (worship service at 9:30 a.m.)

One Great Hour of Sharing On Sunday, March 29, New Ark UCC will participate in the One Great Hour of Sharing

(OGHS). The following “frequently asked questions” provides a good introduction to OGHS and to the

many ways it provides relief and assistance to those who are suffering here and in countries

throughout the world.

1. What is One Great Hour of Sharing?

One Great Hour of Sharing is the special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that

carries God’s message of love and hope to people in 138 countries. The UCC works with international

partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-

credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. OGHS

also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster

preparedness and response.

2. Who participates in One Great Hour of Sharing?

Eight Christian denominations – American Baptist Church,

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Cumberland

Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church

in America, the United Church of Christ, and Church World Service

work together to develop common promotional materials thereby

sharing ideas, costs, and a commitment to faithful service. Each denomination receives and manages its respective OGHS offerings.

3. How is the United Church of Christ's offering used?

More than 60 percent of the UCC's offering supports international development initiatives,

including annual support for missionaries. Currently there are seven OGHS supported missionaries

and two Global Mission Interns working in disaster relief, health care, education, and agricultural

development. The offering funds disaster preparedness and response, and disaster related volunteer

initiatives in the U.S.

4. What percentage of OGHS donations are used directly for mission?

On average, of every dollar given to One Great Hour of Sharing, 91 cents is used directly for

mission programming; five cents for interpretation materials and four cents for administrative costs

which include program monitoring and evaluation (for accountability). Most administrative costs are

paid by gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission National Basic Support and endowment funds.

5. How are decisions made to fund the various projects?

Currently, the OGHS Program Committee of the Wider Church Ministries Board meets semi-

annually to review expenditures and to address initiatives to increase the promotion of the offering for

the United Church of Christ. In addition, a leadership committee is in place that reviews grant

requests for special projects internationally. Additional information can be found at http://www.ucc.org/oghs.

Get Your Peeps and Hunting Skills On! Please join us for the Second Annual Peep Diorama and Easter Egg Hunt

event on Sunday, March 29!! Hosted by Kitty, Terri, and Elizabeth Hamm Harrison at their home – 604

Entwisle Court (Westminster), Wilmington – from 12:30-5 p.m. The Easter Egg

Hunt will start at 2 p.m. and the Peep Diorama Judging will happen at 3 p.m. What is a Peep diorama you may ask? It is a scene made with those

infamous sugary Peeps — check them out at The Washington Post as they have a

contest every year. Last year’s entries included King Kong and the Empire State

Building, the Trouble with Peeples (Tribbles), a protest scene from Washington,

and a wedding of the peeps (of the same sex, of course). There are no rules beyond

you must use Peeps as a big component of your scene. The prize? Bragging rights until next year! The Easter Egg Hunt will be in our back and front yards, so bring the right shoes for possible

messy conditions. We will be having lunch here so bring something to share with others and a

lawn chair if you have one. RSVP to Terri or Kitty in person, via phone at (302) 482-2725 or email

the.harrisons@comcast.net. This is an intergenerational event so everyone is

welcome to join.

Please mark your calendar for these future activities. More details will be forthcoming.

Through the first two months of 2015, the church has sold just under $10,000 worth of grocery cards. This

represents a profit of nearly $500 for the church. At this point, we are right on pace with last year’s sales (which

totaled more than $73,000 for the year).

Buying grocery cards is an easy way to give to the church. For example, say you buy $100 worth of grocery

cards for Giant, Acme, Shop-Rite, Super Fresh, Zingo’s, or Pathmark. The church buys the cards at a 5 percent

discount and therefore makes a $5 profit on your $100 purchase. The church made more than $3,000 in 2014.

Since the program was founded 25 years by Dr. John Burgess, the church has netted well over $100,000. The

cards are an important fundraising activity.

If you shop at any of the stores listed, we encourage you to buy your groceries using cards sold by the

church. Everyone benefits! Grocery cards are on sale each Sunday morning in Wells Hall immediately following the

church service. Get yours now!

Upcoming Activities and Events, Programs and Announcements

Grocery Card Update

Warming Winter's Wrath This winter's weather is setting records not only for the low temperatures, but also,

unfortunately, for the number of homeless individuals being served by our Newark Code Purple

mission. Newark churches have hosted 26 nights so far this season bringing the total people-nights to

571. The New Ark provided shelter for 32 guests on Valentine's Day and will be hosting again on Monday,

Feb. 23. Despite the life-threatening temperatures, people continue to make

bad choices. Recently, Marc Marcus, director of the Newark Empowerment

Center (which NAUCC helps finance) went out looking for a person who

normally shows up at the Code Purple locations. He is a camper in the

woods. Marc found him near Route 72 and Chestnut Hill Road, drunk, in the

snow, no gloves, and could hardly walk. Marc called the ambulance, and he

was taken to Christiana Hospital. In all probability, lacking

Marc’s compassion for people in need and always making the extra effort,

this person would not have made it through the cold night. Earlier in the week, a homeless man entered

the Empowerment Center with the fingers of both hands frozen. He is recovering at Christiana Hospital

and may be able to keep his fingers. Please keep these individuals and the other men and women

struggling to cope with the issues in their lives in your thoughts and prayers.

Please also take time to thank Village Laundromat for volunteering their services to launder the

sheets and blankets for each of the eight churches providing Code Purple shelter. NAUCC's last hosting

generated five large garbage bags worth of dirty sheets and blankets needing laundering - a significant

benefit to us and the other churches in our community.

If you would like to learn more about Newark's Code Purple mission and how you can help, please

see Bob Pasteris or Connie Cox.

Be a Greeter Sunday Morning

Greeting those who enter our worship space Sunday mornings is a key part of ensuring we are

a welcoming congregation. One arrives 15-20 minutes before church starts, dons the "greeter" pin,

distributes the bulletins, provides visitors with one of the gift bags located in the cupboard under the

bulletins, asks visitors to sign the guestbook, and most important, welcomes any visitors, providing

some introductions and guidance about us. The greeter also is asked to lock the front doors at 9:45

a.m., and to take the collection baskets with them to their seats, to collect the offering during

worship. Serving as greeter is an easy but valuable job and a fun way to see our fellow parishioners on

Sundays. Gloria Noel is greeter coordinator and would much appreciate your signing up early so she

knows we are covered each Sunday. You can reach Gloria at gnoel425@aol.com with any questions or

to sign up. Or sign up through SignUpGenius: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0549a4ac2ca1fc1-

sunday. It’s quick and simple to do, start by clicking on "Create a Sign up" or log into My Account

then select "Sunday Morning" to see the dates and tasks available. After you have signed up,

please select "Submit and Sign Up."

EASTER FLOWERS

To add to the beauty of our Sanctuary on Easter morning, we like to arrange pots of tulips. They

can be purchased in memory of or in honor of someone and displayed on Easter Sunday. A bulletin insert

will identify the memorial and honoree gifts. The cost is $10 each and a signup sheet is available in

Wells Hall. Those who purchase flowers are encouraged to take them after the Easter service.

Getting Started With the Bible

Would you like some advice on how to learn more about the Bible? Here is an interesting article written by Greg Carey, Professor of New Testament at the Lancaster Theological Seminary. You will find some interesting suggestions and resources to help you explore the Bible. Please see: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-carey/getting-started-with-the-_b_6550246.html.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! We are scheduled to work at the Walnut Ridge project of Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, June 6

from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details to come.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTION: The New Ark recently received a

$100 donation in memory of Ned Hermann.

Upcoming CAC and Chesapeake Association Events April 25: Chesapeake Association at Zion UCC, Perry Hall, MD.

May 9: Spring Congregational Vitality Event – based on the book Real Good Church:

How Our Church Came Back from the Dead and Yours Can Too, by Rev. Molly Baskette,

First Church, Somerville, MA, who will be our presenter. St. John’s UCC, 1000 South Rolling

Road, Catonsville, MD. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes lunch. Fee is $15.

Please let Barbara Graham know if you are interested in attending these events by

calling (302) 737-4711.

SAVE THE DATE: The Quarterly Congregational Meeting will be APRIL 26

8 T.J. Marcellino and Morgan Howard 16 Pat Eber

9 Jan Sparks and David Kingsbury 19 Larry Hyde and Micah Greenzweig

10 Kay Foster and Paul Schaefer 23 Barbara Ramsaur

11 Marty Hodgkins 25 Jillian Rae Chase

12 Jordan Seguin 27 Peggy Dillner

14 Melinda Durr 28 D'Arcy Jeffery

15 John Micklos, Jr. 30 Sheila Cassels

May God Bless You on your birthday! If we’ve missed your special day, please contact the church office

at (302) 737-4711 or email newarkuccc@verizon.net.

New Ark Book Group The Book Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, at the home

of Flo Waibel (41 The Horseshoe, Newark) for discussion of Orphan Train by

Christina Baker Kline. The talk will be led by Shirley Meehan. Everyone is

welcome to attend.

COFFEE HOUR SET UP/TAKE DOWN SCHEDULE

February: Membership Growth Committee

April: Worship Committee

LECTIONARY READINGS

March 1: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38

March 8: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22

March 15: Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21

March 22: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33

March 29: Mark 11:1-11; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16;

Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47

*

SUN

MON

TUES WED THUR FRI SAT

1 Second Sunday of Lent Choir 8:30am Worship & Communion 9:30am Youth meets 11am-2pm Greater Grace 4pm

2 DA4A 7pm OA 7pm

3 Membership Growth 6:30pm Social Concerns 6:30pm Childcare provided

4 Bridge 9am-2pm The Moms Group 6pm

5 Zen 6:30-9pm

6 Chimes cleans 11:30am-2pm

7 Youth Group

“Food Security” Fast

TRMTIE 10am-2pm

8 Third Sunday of Lent Youth Group

“Food Security” Fast

An Evening

at the Table 5pm Greater Grace 4pm

9 OA 7pm

10

11 Delaware Unschoolers 1-6pm

PCRC 6:30pm

12 Worship Committee 6:30pm Finance 6:30pm Childcare provided Zen 6:30-9pm

13 Chimes cleans 11:30am-2pm

Brandywine Recorders 7:30-9:30pm

14 TRMTIE 10am-2pm Greater Grace 9am-6pm

15 Fourth Sunday of Lent Choir 8:30am Worship 9:30am Neutral Pulpit (Peoples’ UCC) Youth meets 11am-noon

16 OA 7pm

17 Coordinating Committee 6:30pm

18 Bridge 9am-2pm The Moms Group 6pm CHADD 6-10pm

19 *Book Group 7pm

Zen 6:30-9pm

20 *Hope Dining Room Chimes cleans 11:30am-2pm

21 TRMTIE 10am-2pm Couples for Christ 1-5pm

22 Fifth Sunday of Lent Choir 8:30am Worship 9:30am Youth meets 11am-noon *Confirmation Class 5-7pm Dining for Women 5:30-8:30pm

23 April

Newsletter

Deadline

OA 7pm

24

25

26 Zen 6:30-9pm

27 Chimes cleans 11:30am-2pm

28 TRMTIE 10am-2pm

Greater Grace 9am-6pm

29

Palm Sunday OGHS Choir 8:30am Worship 9:30am *Easter Egg Hunt/Peep Diorama Contest 12:30pm

30 OA 7pm

31

March 2015 * indicates off site