the epistle of st. paul epistle 2017.pdf · may eventually take a different name (e.g., the “flip...

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Minister’s Message 1 -3

Gifts to the Church 3

Council Minutes 4-7

Council News 7

News & Updates 7-14

SPY News 9-10

Mission Partner News 13

Scouts/Nursery School

14

Birthdays 15

Remember in Prayer 16

Calendar 17

THE EPISTLE

OF ST. PAUL

Inside this Issue:

St. Paul United

Church of Christ

6997 Hamilton Ave.

Cincinnati, OH

45231

Ph. 513-931-2205

Fax 513-931-2206

Email:

[email protected]

Website:

www.stpaulnch.com

Worship Opportunities

Sundays:

9:50 AM Traditional

Worship in Sanctuary

Sunday School

May 2017

Ponderings From The Pastor

For an electronic version of

THE EPISTLE, please visit our

website at: www.stpaulnch.com

WANTED!!

LAST FALL, after much hard work, the national setting of the United Church of Christ (UCC HQ in Cleveland) presented to the church and the world a new set of defining statements, in order to guide the church in these challenging times. Here’s an excerpt from the article by Anthony Moujaes on UCC.ORG (October 24 2016)…

A vision of a just world for all people will guide and shape the future work of the United Church of Christ. It's a vision that the denomination's General Minister and President and unified Board of Directors are prepared to own as part of a refreshed set of Purpose, Mission

and Vision statements.

"I can't even begin to express how proud I am of our beloved United Church of Christ for articulating not just a purpose, mission, and vision – but this purpose, mission and vision," said the Rev. John Dorhauer, UCC General Minister and President. [John was HERE at St. Paul on April 19, a guest of our SONKA Cluster Two churches, where he spoke about these new

guiding statements].

The UCC PURPOSE STATEMENT comes from the Gospel of Mark: To love God with all

our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves [Mark 12.3-31].

MISSION STATEMENT: United in Spirit and inspired by God's grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.

And the VISION: United in Christ's love, a just world for all.

‘Every week I travel the globe witnessing what it looks like when the United Church of Christ

commits itself to love and justice,’ Dorhauer said. ‘I call upon every covenant partner to

embrace fully this call to love and justice; and to share with leaders in the church what that

expression of love looks like in their ministry setting.’ ‘’

PURPOSE MISSION VISION

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THE EPISTLE May 2017

Ponderings From The Pastor (continued)

IT IS NOW TIME to start our VISION TEAM here at St. Paul UCC, where we will be doing this very same kind of work; and as we do so, we will be keeping THESE guiding statements in mind! To this end, the SPUCC Executive Team has empowered me to begin recruiting members for a new Vision Team. We may eventually take a different name (e.g., the “Flip My Church” Team, the “Inside Out” Team, etc.), but the GOAL will be to lead the whole congregation though the process of DISCERNING GOD’S FUTURE for our church. And, this is a good time to remind you—it’s not “Pastor Barry’s vision” we are seeking…nor yours, nor our church Council’s vision…nor any other vision except GOD’S!

WHAT will this new team be doing? HOW will it work? WHO will be on it? HOW LONG will this process take? I’ll be sharing as much information as possible about all this, in every way possible, in the weeks and months ahead…in The Epistle, in weekly bulletins, on Facebook, and on our church’s website (www.stpaulnch.com). I can only briefly touch on each of these questions—all good questions!—here:

WHAT and HOW: internal and external demographic studies (who’s HERE, who’s “out there” for us to minister to, and what are they looking for? With WHOM do we share God’s “extravagant welcome” and seek to love as our neighbor?); organizing small groups and focus groups in the church AND the community; leading the clarifying of our CORE values; engaging in a multi-week PRAYER focus and journaling experience for the whole church (that means every member!); special emphasis on Vision and Mission (“Spiritual DNA”) in worship and preaching; “faith sharing moments (known as “testimonies” in days gone by!) in worship; a consensus process to AFFIRM God’s new vision for us, when we get all this done and added together. It all BEGINS with a new “St Paul Timeline” that will be starting in the next few weeks…watch for details…

HOW LONG: that depends on how quickly the Vision Team can be recruited, trained, refine our process, and begin its work; once it does, we’re looking at a minimum of six to nine months—but again, this depends entirely on the cooperation and commitment of the congregation to take part in all the pieces along the way. The higher your commitment and involvement, the quicker the process will move!

WHO: four or five willing volunteers! We are looking for some very specific people, who are…

Dedicated to prayer and growing spiritually, and are known for their rich faith life;

know and love the congregation;

are respected by more than one facet (faction?) of the

congregation;

are deeply committed to confidentiality;

are positive and have a commitment to consensus (i.e., they

have no particular agenda or personal statement to make;

will commit the TIME and ENERGY it takes for this process;

are willing (with plenty of help!) to address the congregation

and help lead small or large group meetings (as facilitators only, not as “experts”).

We will be seeking, ideally—

at least one: Process-oriented person who can co-ordinate fine details;

at least one: Communicator who can accurately and effectively disseminate

information;

at least one: Numbers person who can crunch numbers/help interpret data; and,

at least one: Prayer Warrior who can activate a team of prayers.

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GIFTS TO THE CHURCH

IN MEMORY OF Charlotte Sess


Linda Woods

This team will be hand-picked by me, and each interested person will meet with me individually

before being confirmed as a VT member; it just has to be this way, since this is such a special-ized (and crucial) “appointment”!

Do you think YOU might be one of these people? If so, I want you…and JESUS WANTS YOU! Let’s TALK!

All boiled down, our newly reborn “Spiritual DNA” (or renewed or restored or resurrected---pick one!) will help SPUCC to be united and then to “share with leaders in the church [and with our whole church community] what the expression

of Christ’s love looks like in their ministry setting,”” as we seek a world of love and justice for all.

In Christ, and Continuing Easter Blessings! – Pastor Barry

Ponderings From The Pastor (continued)

Alice Blum Dot Kahle

Lynn & Paul Kluesener Lois & Dick Manifold

Elaine Sloan Gloria Stagman

Linda Woods

IN MEMORY OF Ruth Kluesener

Elaine Sloan

IN MEMORY OF Marion Zeinner

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ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Council Meeting March 20, 2017

Present: Mike Bartholomew, Rev. Barry Bordenkircher, Linda Woods, Margaret Maybury, Jan Apro, Anne Zimmer, Lois Manifold, Nancy Klusmeier. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M. Pastor Barry offered an opening prayer and meditation. Nancy offered the minutes of the February 20th Council Meeting for review by Council. Linda wanted a few small changes in the wording of her Nurture Team report. The changes were made and a MOTION was offered (Maybury/Woods) to approve the amended minutes. The MOTION PASSED and the minutes were APPROVED as amended. Sr. Minister’s Report (Rev. Barry Bordenkircher)

Pastor Barry distributed to Council his monthly summary report of his activities and mileage. He attended

7 church meetings; made 12 pastoral visits or contacts; conducted 1 funeral/memorial service; 6 Small Group meetings; had 2 special Worship services; made approximately 4 community contacts; and had 3 retreat days. He reported 244 reimbursable miles.

We collected almost $4,000 (cash, checks and pledges) to Mission at yesterday’s Cluster II Choirfest

Program. We filled the lots. Best ever.

Would we be willing to have a bin from Matthew 25 Ministries in our lot for clothing donations? Council briefly discussed it and a MOTION was made (Apro/Maybury) to allow Matthew 25 to place a bin in our parking lot for clothing donations. MOTION PASSED.

Pastor Barry reported that he is still working on pictures being taken for a pictorial directory.

There will be a Maundy Thursday service at 6:30. He is working on having a shorter representation of a

Seder included in the service.

He is working with the SPY on having a sunrise service in the Courtyard and maybe a breakfast before

the 10:00 service.

Discussion on various members who are ill.

Nurture Team (Linda Woods)

Nursery School carnival was a success. The proceeds will go to the Elaine Payne Scholarship Fund.

Karen needs to have a procedure in place if there is a lock down. She is working on writing the

procedure.

Joan had reported that there is a SPY camp-out this weekend and a lock-in on April 7-8. Also, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt after the Easter service this year. They need plastic eggs donated.

Evelyn is wanting to have another inter-generational event and is already planning it at home.

The Nurture Team Retreat is May 13th.

Finance Team (Margaret Maybury)

Margaret reports that we can still use counters. Welcome Team (Lois Manifold)

She spoke with Wayne regarding his resignation and told him if there are bills that in order to pay our bills,

we do what we have to do. Worship Team (Nancy Klusmeier for Vicky Ritz)

Discussed ideas for Seder Service on Maundy Thursday. Nancy and Vicky are the only one from Worship

Team who will be available Holy Week.


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The next Council meeting is Monday, May 15, 2017, 7:00 PM.

Meeting will be held at Perkins Restaurant

ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Council Meeting March 20, 2017

Council Minutes (Continued) Treasurer’s Report (Anne Zimmer)

Anne distributed to Council the Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual and Balance Sheet to Council. The Profit

& Loss is accurate. However, brokerage fees and interest are not on this report. It shows we are $61.40 to the positive over our budgeted net loss of $3,473.99.

As always, copies of financial records are on file in the office for anyone who wishes to see them

Books for “Small Groups” are under Nurture. Will try to sell books that are leftover.

Discussion regarding counter sheet and accounts.

Endowment Report (Jan Apro)

Stocks are doing extremely well.

Last month we saw an increase of $5,000 on the account.

OLD BUSINESS

Executive Team needs to meet regarding employee reviews.

Jan talked with Rick regarding the sewer in the alley way. Rick said he would look at it.

Mike fixed the drinking fountain by Nursery School, at least for now.

NEW BUSINESS

SONKA spring meeting is April 29th at St. John Westminster Union.

Next Council Meeting (April 17th) Pastor Barry and Joan are getting her license renewed and won’t be

there. Also, Margaret said she wouldn’t be there either.

Jan brought up that Vicki Celenza is the only one who checks blood pressure. With her undergoing treatment, she can’t always be there. Discussion regarding if they should continue advertising that. They need to meet.

May 15th Council Meeting is the same night at Nursery School graduation. Mike will check around at

restaurants where Council can meet.

SONKA meeting at St. Paul – New night is April 19th (Wednesday) at 7:00 P.M. Diane will help organize

refreshments. John Dorhauer will speak.

Discussion regarding Council Retreat. A few people have backed out. Looks like we have to reschedule.

Pastor Barry will check around and then send an e-mail to reschedule. A MOTION was made (Apro/Manifold) to adjourn. MOTION PASSED and the meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M. with The Lord’s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Klusmeier Council Secretary


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FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Paul-United-Church-of-Christ-NCH/451020504934791.


JUNE EPISTLE DEADLINE

The Epistle deadline for the June edition is Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Please submit the information either by email to Anne or drop it in the Epistle box in the main office. There is also a folder in the blue mailbox outside the office.

PLEASE HELP US with LIGHTS AND DOORS

Please do your diligence to make sure that the lights are off in the building when you leave. Thank you

The Council is looking for people who would be interested in being part of the St. Paul Council Board. If you would be interested, or know of someone who might be interested, please contact the office. We will then talk with anyone who is recommended or who is interested. We can use your help. Several of our board members are currently in their terms multiple times. Please consider a run for office!

St. Paul United Church of Christ

GRADUATE SUNDAY Graduate Sunday is May 21. Please let the office know by May 10, if you have family members that will graduate high school, technical school or college, so that we may recognize them during worship on this special day.

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Coming Soon …

to a CHURCH near YOU

(and your HEART!)

Mark these dates

on your calendar!

<< Sunday, May 21 >>

Recognition Sunday for SPUCC Graduates

and Our Sunday School Teachers!....and… << Sunday, June 11 >>

Music Recognition/Appreciation Sunday

<< Pentecost Sunday, June 4 >> SONKA Association Minister Preaching and Serving Communion

The Rev. Kathryn Anadein will be here that day!

<< The Sundays of June 25, July 30, August 27 (for starters) >>

Café Worship in the Fellowship Hall

<< Sundays of June 11, July 9, August 13 >>

“Second Sunday Sit-Down” 11:30 to 12:30 NEW! Informal lunch and forum/conversation with the Pastor B (watch weekly bulletins, Facebook and our website for details)

<< Monday, August 21 >>

Total Solar Eclipse Day!

Pastor B organizing TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE viewing (watch for details – possible Evansville road trip!)

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St. Paul Youth

The SPY never rest!

We worked the Fish Fry on Good Friday and

afterwards we skated.

Just for the record, you will never see Pastor Joan on Skates. However if you look really close, you will see the President of Council Mike Bartholomew helping his grandson and rocking the wheels. The SPY enjoyed the lock in on the 8

th of April, as we made Easter Chocolate. Thank you to all who

supported the SPY and bought our Chocolates, YUM! Thank you to all the Youth for helping out on Youth Sunday. You hard work really showed.

In May we will have a car wash, (weather permitting) on Saturday the 20

th. Has winter

been hard on your car, please come out and support your SPYs and Campers.

Also, the SPY will be in the NCH Memorial Day Parade. Have you seen the mountain of water in Pastor Joan Office? Well, the SPY will be handing out that water during the parade. Please come join us, whether you are a walker or a rider (plenty) of room in the truck. This is truly a moment to show off in North College Hill.

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Faith in ACTION! Our church’s old, existing logo is a sailing ship…and sailing ships are meant to SAIL! Ships are vessels…built to carry people and/or cargo from place to place…which means they are made to MOVE, not remain static! A ship just sitting around in port, moored to the dock, might serve as a kind of temporary home…but it is NOT fulfilling its PURPOSE! Our logo reminds us that our church and our faith are meant to be growing, in “movement” and going where the “wind” of the Holy Spirit takes us! To that end, and to help our church “keep under sail” and doing some necessary things during our upcoming season of vision discernment, Pastor Barry wants to create some ad-hoc, short-term ACTION TEAMS. These teams won’t neatly fall under

our existing committee structure (though there might be occasional overlap), and will have limited, specific tasks and goals to accomplish. Once those are accomplished, the teams will disband! The first several ACTION TEAMS will be: the TIMELINE Team, the BARISTA Team, the CURB APPEAL Team, and the BOTTOMS UP Team…

The TIMELINE Team will help set up our church history timeline—an interactive display of our history that will cover some walls!--starting in May. Help will be needed to set up the timeline, and then “man” the interactive stations before and after worship on Sundays (for about 4 to 6 weeks).

The BARISTA Team will help Pastor B make and serve free specialty coffee drinks (lattes, cappuccinos. etc.) for the weekly community meals on Tuesdays. He will train you to be a barista! We may eventually “branch out” to Sunday mornings as well.

The CURB APPEAL Team will take on several small-scale landscaping projects around the church, and help us ratchet up our “curb appeal” over the summer/fall months (good for helping attract visitors!). Helpers will have some freedom of “design” and flexible times to get tasks completed.

The BOTTOMS UP Team will work with Pastor B in establishing some outreach evenings (one or twice a month) in at least one local brewery and/or winery…which means having a beer or wine and shooting the breeze! (tough duty, huh?). These will be “come as you are” events, where anyone can sidle up, have a brew and a bite, and casually talk about ANY ”theological issue” or religious topic they feel like.

Do ANY of these opportunities interest you? If so, or even if you just want more information before deciding to join an Action Team, GET IT TOUCH with Pastor Barry ASAP, by phone (office or mobile), email, or talk with him after worship some Sunday during Coffee Hour. Training for any new tasks will be provided for each ACTION TEAM…and donations will be sought for any needed supplies not covered in our church budget. Let’s set sail…let’s move!

UCSt.

Paul

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Community Fundraiser Night/Day

Friends, Food & Fundraising To Support

Mt. Healthy Alliance Inc. Food Pantry Wednesday May 3rd, 6:00 A.M. -9:00 P.M. Thursday May 4th, 6:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.

Friday May 5th, 6:00A.M.-9:00 P.M.

We’ll earn 15% of Sales when You present this flyer* at

Bob Evans 9970 Colerain Ave (Colerain Ave @ I-275)

or 5245 North Bend Rd. @ I-74

or 8270 Winton Rd. @ Cross County Hwy.

or 510 Kolby Dr. Cincinnati Mills

Please join us

On our Community Fundraiser Night/Day. *Flyer must accompany check for donation! (Includes Carryout & Retail sales as well)

Please do not share the flyer with other guests at the restaurant.


Support the Mt. Healthy Alliance

Food Pantry 3rd week of each month

Monday - Saturday 6 am - 3 pm

Thursday - 6 am - 8 pm

At

SWEETHEART CAFÉ We’ll earn 10% of sales when you present

this flyer at 9894 Colerain Ave. (in Hobby Lobby Plaza)

*Flyer must accompany check donation”

Please do not share this flyer with other guests at

the restaurant.

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This was the 45th school year for St. Paul Nursery School. Where does the time go? Even this year flew by. It seems like it was just September and now the children are moving on. St. Paul Nursery School has grown over these 45 years. When the Nursery School first started, it was upstairs in two small classrooms where the chapel and meeting rooms are now. Now we are downstairs with four classrooms and five teachers and a teacher assistant. Mrs. Susan Ehrhardt has just completed her 30th year here at St. Paul preschool. As I mentioned in The Epistle a few months ago, she is the author of a book called “A to Z Ready for K: A Complete Preschool Curriculum.” Her book should be ready to purchase in the fall. She just heard that Amazon took her book for distribution. We are so proud of her and so happy she is continuing to teach at St. Paul. We appreciate all her hard work and dedication to the preschool. Now for some Thank You’s:

Thank you St. Paul congregation for letting us teach in this beautiful facility.

Thank You to Lynn Kluesener and Roxanne Reed for all their help and support.

Thank You to Jim Maybury for all the little things you do for us. May God Bless You and have a wonderful summer. See you all in the fall. Karen Rieman and Staff

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SCOUTING NEWS The Cubbies are all finishing up their requirements and winding down their school year. Activities are being planned once a month for the summer. The Troop has been busy working on first aid and knots, map and compass reading and orienteering skills. They are planning a hiking trip this month at John Bryan State Park. The Crew has been having some fun. They planned a yoga night. They all had a lot of laughs and fun as they tried to do the various forms of stretching. We heard “How am I suppose to do that? and “ I can’t hold that position” and they lost their balance A LOT! It was fun to participate and watch them. They had lots of laughs and fun, and they all tried. There was talk of doing it again, but maybe starting at an introductory level instead of an advanced level. They shared some apples and tangerines afterwards while they did another team building activity. The troop and crew participated in the COPE course last month. They had a great time together. Here are a few pictures of them working together as teams.

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5/1 5/3

5/5 5/6 5/7

5/8

Bob Dickman Betty Klug Ethan Overholts Pam Leist Linda Stegman Megan Reed Anne-Marie Timme Alice Graber Romone Johnson Lawrence Schnee

Steven Johnson Allyson Jensen Ryan King Barbara Cooper Linda Woods Madyson King Alexis Mittler Brandon Smith Howard Heinkeke

5/11 5/13

5/17

5/18 5/19 5/21 5/22

5/23 5/26 5/27

5/28 5/29 5/31

Michael Cornish Jack Ruele Thomas Bryant Scott Gorsler Eleanor Reed Robin Keller Judith McIlhaney

6/1

6/6

6/11 6/12 6/17

Misti Cornish Christian Hoeweler Mark Heitman Wayne Schleutker Sarah Jester Way Bradford Bryant Robert Gorsler Lucille Walters

Elvera Berger Katherine Zapf Herman Stahmer Jordyn King Cheryl DuPriest

6/18 6/20 6/21 6/22 6/23

6/26

6/27 6/30

Jan Apro Shianna Johnson Roger Kolde William Lowes Jesica Overholts

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If you would like to add

someone to the prayer

list, please call the office.

Please Continue to Remember in Prayer our HomeBound:

Please keep the office informed on the status of those you have placed on the prayer list.

Please Continue to Remember in Prayer:

Elvera Berger Harry Bowman Geraldine Cooper Bob Dickman Gladys Elsasser Marian Faller Mary Lou Heiden Carl Heitman Dottie Mayer Lillian McMillan Albert Mueller Joyce Seesing Carol Sharp Dot Sunnenberg Anne Timme Dolores Ungerbuehler Sharon Wagner Lucille Walters

Nan Grow Marty Schwartz

Our servicemen and women

Peggy Adams

Valery Ramge

Grace Lienhart

Payson Davis

Chad Willcocks

Melody Hoff

Sherry Reppert-Couch

Katie Morgan

Krys Edmonson

Kathy Aker

Ginny DuPriest

Debbie DuPriest

Bob Adams

Nancy Fifer

Will Maier

Kyle Williams

David Smith

Ruth Meissner

Dawn Langdon

Kelly Rasnick

Erma Amrein

Suzanne Roark

Lollie Kasaulones

Herman Schlegel

Don Williams

Brittany Jones

Mike Mathauer

Bob Ferguson

John Allen

Tim Ramge

Ashley Richardson

Jack Frost

Jen Klusmeier

Andrew Campbell

Laura Bierkan

Karon Jackson

Izola White

Dave Lienhart

Randy Schwartz

Jerry Grayson

Sharon Keylo

Doug Foltz

Owen Erickson

Gay Steinhauer

Emilie Schneeman

Mike Cornish

Norma Carrier

Alice Graber

Evelyn Osterbrock & Family

Joanne Terry

Mary Ann Herth

Doug Mossman

Ed Smith

Don Beresford

Rick Manifold

Margie Harman

The Sess Family

Madison Dermody

The Zeinner Family

Ryann Weiter

Ray Bates, III

Tony Mancini

Vicki Celenza

Helen Mason

Dorothy Dumford

Ralph & Florence Boyce

Joann Ernst & Family

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May 2017

Standing Dates: Mondays: Crafty Critters - 10 AM Scouts:6:30 - 9:00 PM Tuesday: Community Dinner 5:00 PM weekly Fridays/Saturdays: AA Meeting 8 PM

FH = Fellowship Hall NS = Nursery School

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3 & 7 PM Making Sense of the Bible

3 6 PM Meditation 7 PM Divine Dance

4

5 6

7 Communion

8 PRC 6:30 PM Pastor’s Study

9 3 & 7 PM Making Sense of the Bible

10 6 PM Meditation 7 PM Divine Dance

11 Nursery School Pre K FH Graduation

12 13

14 Mother’s Day

15 NS 3’s Concert 7 PM Sanctuary 7 PM Council Mtg. At Perkins

16 NS No School

17 Staff Mtg. 10 AM Epistle Articles Due NS 4’s AM Graduation Sanctuary

18 NS 4’s PM Graduation 7 PM Sanctuary Cluster 2 Mtg. 7 PM Trinity Hill

19 20 SPY Car Wash 9 am - 1 PM Weather Permitting

21 Graduation & Teacher ‘Recognition

22 Nurture Mtg. 5:30 PM

23 24 Executive Team Mtg. 6:30 PM

25 26 27 NCH Memorial Day Parade 11 AM

28 29 Memorial Day Office Closed

30 31

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THE EPISTLE

OF ST. PAUL

St. Paul United Church of Christ 6997 Hamilton Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45231 Phone: (513) 931-2205 Fax: (513) 931-2206 Website: www.stpaulnch.com Email: [email protected]

Church Staff: Rev. Barry Bordenkircher, Sr. Minister

Evelyn Osterbrock, Lay Minister to Children

Joan Allen, Lay Minister

Rick Tallarigo, Organist/Interim Music

Director

Anne Zimmer, Office Administrator

Jim Maybury, Sexton

Anne Zimmer, Treasurer

Parish Nurses: Vicki Celenza, R.N., Coordinator Roxanne Reed, R.N.

Office Hours 9:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m. Monday - Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Thursday - Friday

Nursery School Staff: Karen A. Rieman, Director Christine Angst, Susan Ehrhardt, Carrie Josche, Amy Miller

St. Paul United Church of Christ 6997 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45231

the epistle of st. paul epistle 2017.pdf · may eventually take a different name (e.g., the “flip...

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