July 7, 2011 South Central Mission Area Minutes

The July 7 meeting of the South Central Mission Area Council was called to order by Chairperson, Robert Bennett at 6:00 p.m.

The following SC MAC members were in attendance: Mike Lowe and Barbara Traven, St. Mark’s, Shelby; Sharon Blaydes and Sally Parsons, St. Paul’s, Mt. Vernon; Damon Hickey and June Hulit; St. James, Wooster; Toma Lord and Robert Bennett; Harcourt Parish, Gambier.

Minutes from the May 5th meeting in Shelby were approved and seconded. They will be emailed to Martha Wright, Communications, of the Diocese in Cleveland.

Short break for everyone for the evening meal prepared by Harcourt members. Robert Bennett said a prayer for the evening meal and safety in our travels.

Reports as follows:

Harcourt Parish, Gambier: Their priest, Rev. Helen Svoboda-Barber is on sabbatical until September. Robert is traveling. There is a rummage sale in the fall. The Ohio Episcopal Celebration was held at Kenyon Thursday, June 23 through Sunday, June 26. Main speaker was Rev. Tom Brackett, the Program Officer for Church Planting, Ministry Redevelopment and Fresh Expressions of Church at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City, spoke.

Robert Bennett is the diocesan coordinator for Education for Ministry (EfM). Harcourt, in the past, has had EfM which runs four years. Both Toma and Robert completed and graduated from this course. Those who sign up for Adult formation/Christian adult education will be sent information. There are not enough members to begin the program for this year. Robert will try to get it going again in the future. EfM was founded at Sewanee (The University of the South) approximately 40 years ago. Work in small groups and is international. Groups study the Old Testament, New Testament, History of Christianity and Modern Theology reflection. Later on there might be a discussion about the “Unbinding” programs. Also, there is a possibility of starting a group at one of the men’s prisons in Marion, possibly by a deacon named Fred Shurley from southern Ohio. Lots of activity in supporting the Parish House via Canterbury students, wedding receptions, etc. at Harcourt. Keeping Harcourt in repair is horrendous. To repair the drainage issue under the porch is estimated at $3,000. Maintaining the structure will be a major undertaking planned for this fall.

St Paul’s, Mt. Vernon – Fr. Karl is moving today. Parishioners offered to help him move today, but he preferred to do it himself. Karl will be driving back and forth between Mt. Vernon and Columbus. Karl is adjusting his routine schedule and so is St. Paul’s adjusting and changing their schedules and routines so Karl does not have to drive back and forth daily. Possibly increase involvement of parishioners to visit those hospitalized and in nursing homes, not that this will replace what Karl does when he is in Mt. Vernon, but to help alleviate some of the burden on him.

Sunday Suppers are continuing. This is not just for the disadvantaged but also for those who cannot cook for some reason, who are lonely or do not get out much. Anyone is welcome to come but we feel there is increase due to the economy. Food can be taken home if they choose. There are a lot more people with little kids. Whereas traditionally on the third Sunday the number attending was in the 40’s and now it is in the 60’s. Mid-Ohio Food bank saves “our buns” in giving us a great deal of help. St. Paul’s and others can purchase food/meat at a very low price. Last year there was 220,000 tons of chicken for the state of Ohio available for free. Some food is received via Mid-Ohio Food Bank out of Columbus and Second Harvest (Feeding America). The program at St. Paul’s is known as the “Sunday Suppers” but is part of the Hot-Meals Program. St. Paul’s sets up a schedule to have different teams for different Sundays. This last weekend being the 4^th of July weekend and also the first Sunday of the month usually has the lowest number attending because peoples’ checks come to them on the first or the third of the month but this year on July 4^th, 66 people attended.. Last July 4^th, 25 people were served. There is a significant increase. There are nine churches participating, taking their designated turn.

It helped a great deal when a freezer was donated. Produce can be frozen in summer in individual people’s freezers if they have room. Several people volunteer their freezers for food storage. It is a wonderful ministry and it is certainly a needed ministry. Local markets provide bread. During the summer there are fruits and vegetables donated and in the winter, there are potatoes.

The Winter Sanctuary has been in operation for three years. It is only available during the winter months from November through April. Opens at 8:00 p.m. and they can stay until 9:00 a.m. Breakfast is provided. In the past there have been only men, but now there are women and children. The men’s shelter is now in the basement of the church and the women and children are in the parish house. Through a donation from Harcourt Parish of $5,000, there is now a shower facility in the parish house. The entire community has been most helpful; there is a great deal of cooperation and support. The local “Y” has offered the men a place to shower. The Recovery Center provides facilities for laundry and showers. In the past, there has not been any paid staff. However, a part-time administration director has been hired. Still have to have 84 volunteers for several shifts. There has been a great deal of support from different churches, both financial support and volunteer support. For the first couple of years, there was a dependence on donations from the diocese and other organizations. The shelter can now receive as much as $30,000. A non-profit organization is not eligible for federal grants until you have a t501c3. However, a church organization cannot receive federal funds. In the past, it was operating on $14,000 a year. Fortunately the Winter Sanctuary received two big grants. The people involved have not been able to get the city or the county to recognize there is a need. Recent statistics are showing this need. St. Paul’s continues to provide an overnight shelter for the homeless.

Dog food comes in also. The Whisker Connection has pet food. Mars now owns Pedigree and they too have donated pet food.

St. Paul’s has to apply now for a Diocesan grant which will come in February. Last year the money requested was about half of what St. Paul’s originally received. There is a different church (there are approximately nine churches) every night of the week that participates. It is a great deal of work. St. Paul’s has not received much help from the Salvation Army. They have received help from Knohoco (Knox-Holmes-Coshocton)-Ashland which is a Community Action agency who has received stimulus money. They are a community service block grant organization. They have two homeless apartments up in one of the villages. They (the organization) would get people in, especially women and children, and would refer them and in turn they would find them permanent housing. It’s government help but it’s a collaboration of efforts. The whole state of Ohio is divided into districts and each district has a Community Action agency. The philosophy is: we are not a handout, but a hand up. We are not a traditional homeless shelter. At least 50% of the individuals were able to get into permanent housing and also they were able to find jobs which were the most rewarding part of the whole thing. The people in need have benefitted.

St. Paul’s had Farm Week for Vacation Bible School which ran four or five days. The event was done at a local farm. There were spiritual studies and a camp out on Friday night. The parish supplies food and cookies. The kids love it. St. Paul’s former Rector started this VBS at a farm and it continues.

There will be a capital expense campaign to fix the ditch that is flooding the Parish House which is currently estimated at $6,000 to $7,000. The upstairs bathroom is being repaired at the church. There is a leak in the vestry room and, at this writing, St. Paul’s is not sure if it is the roof or the back wall.

St. Mark’s, Shelby: Mike Lowe had communicated via email with Karl Stevens (St. Paul’s – Mt. Vernon) and Karl gave him statistics regarding their shelter and food they provide. Mike is on vestry and also on Outreach. It was brought to their vestry and voted on by St. Mark’s and Mike brought a check for $2,500 for St. Paul’s “Winter Sanctuary” (homeless shelter). St. Mark’s continues to stay busy helping people around their community. Their biggest fundraiser was about one month ago which was a rummage sale netting $400.00. Rather than putting a price tag on each item, folks were asked for donations. St. Mark’s feels they made more money by asking for donations rather than pricing each item. Within the last month or more, St. Mark’s gave $3,500 to the daycare center in Shelby and $500 for playground equipment. Gave $5,000 to the Community Center in Shelby. The Community Center was out of debt and did not owe anything on their building; however, some major expense came up and they needed a second mortgage. St. Mark’s donated $5,000 towards their mortgage payoff. Gave Church of God $500.00 to help with expenses in sending kids to summer camp. The Church of God has a very active youth program and St. Mark’s had some of their young people also attending the camp. The money also paid for some extra kids that wanted to attend the camp but could not afford to attend. St. Mark’s also donated monies for the victims of tornadoes. They donated $930 for the victims in Alabama and $500 for the victims of the tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Mike mentioned also for Shelby, St. Mark’s gave a $5,000 scholarship to a Shelby senior at the high school’s award presentation. The high school called the student advising him to dress up with a shirt and a tie…they told him nothing more. There were other scholarships presented but St. Mark’s was the highest scholarship given at that presentation. The student receiving the scholarship did not have to be Episcopalian but had to be associated with a church and a written letter of recommendation from the student’s pastor.

Shelby hosted the first night of the Bishop’s Bike Ride this year. The bike ride started in Oberlin. St. Mark’s rented a picnic site in the park and they had a potluck for the bike riders. There were 39 people for dinner. Barb stated some parishioners were on vacation and allowed the bicyclists to use their houses for the overnight stay. Some bicyclists stayed overnight at the church. St. Mark’s has a newly renovated apartment that had not been rented out yet and approximately six of the bicyclists stayed in the apartment. They supplied accommodations for a total of 28 bicyclists.

St. Mark’s philosophy is “give from your heart.” They do not pledge nor do they have several fundraisers. A Sunday service at St. Mark’s might have as many as forty-five attendees. They receive approximately $1,000 a month from the two apartments they rent out. They help people who need help.

Mike heads the Outreach Committee at St. Mark’s. There is a young man he knows, Matt Holiman, that found out six months ago his kidneys are shutting down. Crystal, Matt’s sister, is a match and will be the donor. Matt has to have $4,000 in the bank before he can be considered for the transplant. First interview is in August and it is about finance. His sister, Crystal, will have to miss work for a couple of weeks. Mike hopes to be able to donate $2,000 to their fund. The surgery will take place in Columbus. The sister needs help with money since she will be off of work and not receiving a paycheck. Crystal is married and has children. Toma suggested they seek an organization called Lifeline of Ohio who is a financial wizard in finding help for their situation. Toma shared her own experience when Harcourt had the Laying on of Hands and the anointing of oils before Toma’s surgery. It was quite an experience not only for Toma but for those participating.

On Monday’s St. Mark’s has a Prayer Room where folks sit around and pray. Cards requesting prayers have been completed and deposited into Sunday’s collection plate. The folks sit in silence and pray for the people whose names are on the cards.

St. James, Wooster – Much of St. James Outreach is through a collaborative effort through various agencies and with other churches. Vacation Bible School just finished and all the downtown churches participated: United Church of Christ; First Baptist, Disciples of Christ; St. Mary’s Catholic; First Presbyterian; Central Christian and Zion Lutheran. St. James’ church office is located in a house down the street from the church. There is an apartment upstairs in this house called “The Upper Room at St. James” that is available for use by religious professionals for personal retreats. Donations to use the “Upper Room” are voluntary. The first person to stay was the acting Dean of Bexley who was one of Evelyn’s former teachers. Evelyn is at Chautauqua on vacation. One of St. James’, elder long-time members, Lowell Reynolds, recently deceased, had been ill with cancer for quite a while, was confirmed by Bishop Hollingsworth when he came to St. James for a visitation. Lowell mentioned to Evelyn he had never been confirmed into the Episcopal Church and wanted to be before he died. The Bishop spoke at the two Sunday services, had brunch, spoke with the Vestry and then went out to Orrville to the care center to confirm Lowell. It was very generous of the Bishop to drive to Orrville to visit and confirm Lowell and it was a very touching experience to many in our congregation.

We are gearing up for People-to-People Ministries Back-To-School Drive. There will be a collection (donation) of back-to-school items in July for distribution in August for kids returning to school. People-To-People Ministries is the agency sponsored by the local churches and local people, which distributes food, clothing and other necessary items to those in need. St. James is also involved in Brown-Bag concerts which our music director, Ned Brooks, arranges for the various talented (volunteer) musicians to perform at St. James every Thursday at noon during the fall and spring months. The freewill offering from these concerts is donated to Viola Startzman Free Clinic.

Other News: The junior warden and senior warden of St. Paul’s, Marion were at Ohio Episcopal celebration at Kenyon. They have formed somewhat of a connection with one of the Lutheran churches in Marion. They have about 35 people attending on Sunday. Folks from St. Mark’s in Shelby went down to visit St. Paul’s in Marion. At the June meeting at St. Paul’s in Marion; Joe Ashby made a proposal to obtain $40,000 from the Diocese for St. Paul’s, Marion, St. Mark’s of Shelby would contribute $5,000 and Grace in Mansfield would donate $5,000 and St. Paul’s would contribute $30,000 each year for three years. Not sure if this has been passed by or approved by the Diocese. There is discussion about hiring a priest for St. Paul’s in Marion, who could also be chaplaincy for the OSU campuses in Mansfield, Marion and North Central State located in Mansfield and Shelby.

Jo Richards and Damon also visited St. Paul’s in Marion. The Diocese is very interested in Marion and the Bishop and his staff have spent a great deal of time with Marion as he has with any other parish. What is crucial……..keep Marion connected to the rest of us. Devil’s favorite tool is isolation. Diocese continues to be in touch with St. Paul’s as well as folks from Grace, St. Mark’s, and St. James.

Robert has not heard from Sister Nadine regarding our next South Central MAC meeting. The meeting is currently scheduled for Thursday, September 1 at Tabor Cottage in Butler, Ohio.

Dates for future South Central MAC meetings were discussed and they are as follows: November 3, (correction) 2011 in Marion (if possible) at St. Paul’s instead of Grace in Mansfield; January 5, 2012 in Ashland at St. Matthew’s; March 1, 2012 at Grace in Mansfield and May 3, 2012 at St. James in Wooster. South Central MAC meetings are held the first Thursday of every other month. At the September SC MAC meeting a new liaison for the Diocesan Council will be elected to replace Damon Hickey, the current liaison for the Diocesan Council. The new elected liaison will hopefully attend the Diocesan Convention in November.

Damon will obtain an URL (internet link) for everyone that will enable us to see/view the list of different committees in our diocese. The nominating committee will be working up to the last minute before Diocesan Convention to get people lined up to serve on those committees.

Two of the committees are the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Council. Robert served a term on the Standing Committee. He thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very interesting. The Diocese elects every year one lay person and one clergy person for four-year terms and the Standing Committee serves as the Bishop’s Council of Advice. Some of the items the Council deals with is property matters, giving consent to candidacy, ordination of deacons and priests, involvement in disciplinary matters pertaining to clergy, and designs and manages the search and election process when a new bishop is needed.

The Diocesan Council serves as an advisory group to the Bishop, works in committees to support Diocesan staff and Diocesan ministries. Members serve for a three-year term; some are elected by Convention and others by their mission areas. There are approximately twenty people on the Diocesan Council.

Some of the other committees include Congregational Development Commission which offers continuing education grants to active lay members in the life of a local congregation for the purpose of developing skills for ministry within their congregation and more. Christian Formation Commission (CCFC) offers grants so that congregations can offer to its own members adult Christian formation opportunities that are beyond its own means to fund. Commission on Ministry works on changing resolutions of clergy compensation, the canons, etc.

Robert will be going to Butler to visit the sisters of Community of the Transfiguration at the Tabor Cottage. Hopefully they are interested in being part of the South Central Mission Area Council. Is there a possibility the sisters will work with the various colleges and student organizations?

In regards to youth groups, Lauren and Ryan Bennet work with both Harcourt Parish and St. Paul’s in Mt. Vernon. Would like to know what youth groups there are in other churches and parishes and what are some of the things they have planned for their youth.

Barbara Traven led the closing prayer.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

Next meeting, one of the items to be discussed, “Do we want to do something social and collaborative as South Central MAC?"