Laura Hershberger at the Norwood Health Center would like our VC community to be aware of what’s available right here in Norwood.

Neighborhood Health Care and The Jaymie Jamison Foundation for Hope bring you:

Cervical Cancer Awareness & Action January 2012 Kickoff 6 out of 10 cervical cancers occur in women who have never received a Pap test or have not been tested in the past five years.

You can schedule your Women’s Health Exam today at one of our five Neighborhood Health Care health centers or pass the info on to a neighbor! Locations in Mt. Auburn (close to University of Cincinnati), Walnut Hills/Evanston, East End, Norwood (close to Xavier) and Harrison.

Low Cost to No Out of Pocket!!!

Call 221-4949 to make an appointment.

Stephen JohnsonGrove would like to extend an invitation to the VC Community to be a part of a Nonviolent Peacemaking Training

January 28, 2012 - 9:00am - 4:00pm

When: Saturday, January 28, 9am-4pm

As we have communicated over the last few weeks, the season of Advent will represent a shift in our life together as a church family. Our worship gatherings over the last nine months have been a blend of traditional worship elements (singing, prayer, message) and the worshipful commitment to honest, respectful conversation about the path forward for Vineyard Central. During the season of Advent, we will relax back into the season, with our worship gatherings shifting in focus away from our communal discernment and into the themes, scriptures, and songs of Advent. During these weeks, there will be short updates about the Discernment Process, a covenanting ceremony on December 11th, and an election of elders following worship on December 18th; but the main focus will be spending Advent together with one another and with the wider church in the world.

Here’s the layout of the next few weeks for your preparation:

Nov 27th: First Sunday of Advent
Worship gathering: 10 am
Last day for membership covenant commitments
Evening worship gathering for singing and praying: 5 p.m.

Dec 4th: Second Sunday of Advent
Worship gathering: 10 am
Last day for elder nominations
Evening worship gathering for singing and praying: 5 p.m.

Dec 11th: Third Sunday of Advent
Worship gathering: 10 am
Covenanting ceremony for members during worship gathering
Evening worship gathering for singing and praying:  5 p.m.

Dec 18th: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Worship gathering: 10 am
Elders elected directly following worship gathering
Evening worship gathering for singing and praying: 5 p.m.

Dec 24th: Christmas Eve
Worship gathering: 5 pm

Dec 25th: Christmas Day
Worship gathering: 10 am

From Beth Reed:

Unfortunately this year (due to an internal audit & new management) the Norwood YMCA will no longer be offering discounted memberships to Vineyard Central members.  If you are already a member, they will waive the one time $50 activation fee, but we will have to pay regular rates now, like everyone else. They do, however, offer a sliding scale payment if that is helpful.
Here are regular prices:

Membership Type / Monthly Rate

Adult $56
Family/Household $83
Two Adult Household $73
Senior Adult $39
Senior Family $50

Here is their link if you want more information:http://www.cincinnatiymca.org/our-ys/branches/re-lindner

As we continue the good and honest conversation we started last week about our relationship with our neighborhood, there are five passages that we want to put out there for meditation and reflection in preparation for this upcoming Sunday: Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 10:25-37, 1 Cor 13, 2 Cor 5:11-6:2, and James 2:14-26. These passages will be incorporated into the reflection and conversation on Sunday, so we wanted to give you a head start in being able to reflect on what they tell us about how we are to relate with those around us!

Last week my good friend Thom Stout brought 22 teens from Grace Community Church in Washington Court House, OH to our neighborhood. They spent a couple days among us helping in whatever ways they were needed. They slept on the floor in a hot church building, brought almost all of their own food, and put in about 12+ hours of hard labor each. With the two adult chaperones included, the whole group gave away about 300 hours of work to serve us!

Much of their time was spent preparing gardens (especially the new one at Upper Milcrest Park) and cleaning out the basement of the church building.

It would be great if we as a family wrote their youth pastor, Thom Stout, and thanked him / them for the great gift they gave us. You can reach him at violentruth@gmail.com

Peace to you,
Dave

Please note that while this is posted by Nathan, the words below are directly those of the Pastoral Council addressed to the wider Vineyard Central community.

The Pastoral Council received a few questions over the past week regarding the status of our Discernment Process and whether or not a new Pastor had been selected to lead VC.

VC has not offered a new paid Pastor role to anyone. Under our current Charter, the VC Board of Trustees is the only group that has the authority to hire paid staff. Related to the discernment process, informal conversations have occurred regarding the effectiveness of past leadership models, and the potential of possible leadership models going forward. No invitations however have been discerned or extended, and will not occur outside of the discernment process. The VC BOT has not met to formally consider this question of paid Pastoral leadership, but will do so as our discernment process progresses.

Our path forward regarding how we choose to be led as a Church includes continuing our Discernment Process about what kind of Church God has called us to be. Assuming we are called to be a Church, it seems likely we will call a Pastor. What the Pastor will be called to will come out of the congregation’s Discernment Process.

Dave, Greg, Jeremy, Owen

Quick note — there will be an Ash Wednesday service tonight at 5pm up in the St. E balcony.

Formed is a yearlong curriculum for Christlikeness based around 12 vows, connected in a prayer book that immerses us in the Psalms and Gospels. Each month of the curriculum is based on one of the vows, and kicks off with a guest lecturer.

On Saturday, March 5th we’ll gather on Xavier University?s campus at the Conaton Learning Center (CLC), room 412 to learn about SERVICE with Bart Campolo, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, $15 ($10 for students), vegetarian lunch included.

Look for Formed on Facebook or email us at Formed.Together@gmail.com

All are welcome.

From Elizabeth Hatchett:

Hello Church!

Jill, Josh and Karis Stoxen welcomed their newest, littlest family member, Micah, into the world this week, and we’re excited to start the meal brigade this coming Monday.  Here is a link to the calendar we’ve set up to help plan their meals together. It also included helpful info like delivery times, phone numbers and food preferences. The days highlighted in green are available. The days in blue are taken (incidentally, you can click on the blue dates to see what folks are bringing if they choose to fill it out) Just make an account (very simple, email + password, and they promise not to spam you), click on a green date when you’d like to share a meal, then type what you are bringing so others can know how to plan. Jill and Josh will get an email with the date and menu you’ve chosen, along with your email address if they need to contact you for any reason.

BUT, if any of this online planning business freaks you out, just let me know and I will sign you up on a date that works for you. You can contact me by phone: 513.202.3889 or email: elizabeth@bettyhatchettdesign.com

Thank you!

Save the dates! This year the four Sundays of Advent are: November 28, December 5, 12, 19. Our community will gather either in the Speckled Bird Café or St. Elizabeth’s — somewhere on the corner of Carter / Mills — from 7:00-8:30 on those evenings for common prayers, reflections on the themes of Advent, and a time to connect. One exception: our Advent celebration on December 5 will start at 6:30 and serve as a release party for Common Prayer: Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals.
For more info.

The 2010 Pastoral Council has experienced substantial transition since its formation early this year.
This is a short update on the state of the leadership positions that were identified.
If you feel called to any of the vacant or interim positions, please reach out (communication@vineyardcentral.com).

Interior Pastor: Dave Nixon
Exterior Pastor: Josh Hanauer
Admin/Support: Janet McNeel
Finance: Greg York (INTERIM)
Communications: Sam Hatchett / Mandy Mclaughlin
Facilities / Building Maint.: Jeremy Eyre
Newcomers: Christiane Sears
Children (under 8): Maurie Hanauer

House Churches / Leadership Community: VACANT
Gatherings: VACANT
Children (8+): VACANT
Building Preservation: VACANT

7/11/10

Present:  Janet McNeel, Josh Hanauer, Sam Hatchett, Jeremy Eyre, Owen Brock, Dave Nixon

Meeting led by Josh Hanauer.

Brief updates:

Sam and Mandy(Communications) – Two new member profiles (Laura Menze and Natasha Beljin) can be found on VC’s website entitled “New Faces”.

Janet (Admin/Support) – Recently provided laminated guide for table meals which Dave Nixon will be sharing with participants.  Also, completed several informational sheets to be shared with newcomers.  Christiane will be using these in the packets.

Dave (Pastor – Internal Focus) – Has been overseeing the group exploring options for St. Elizabeth building.  Expressed some concern about staying with specific focus versus recent discussion about needing to raise money for match if we accept the GCEA grant.

This update brought up some discussion about the ongoing need to identify someone to take responsibility for this area.  This was an identified position at the start of the year, but to date has remained unfilled.  Some thought has been given to trying to find someone and possibly offer some payment.  General consensus is that we are not ready for this yet.  Owen reminded PC members to pay attention to progress that we have made this year and not be discouraged by what remains to be done.

Jeremy (Facilities) – An energy audit will be needed if we accept the GCEA grant.

Josh has completed an unofficial fire inspection, noting possible concerns.  Jeremy’s Bldg. committee has compiled a list of projects which can be made available to any volunteer group offering help. There is still a plan to have a local music group offer a benefit concert in late summer or fall.

Agenda Items:

Debriefing of town hall meeting –

Helpful in encouraging leadership to step up and communicate challenges.

Everyone here attended meeting.  Any interested parties who did not attend can contact Sam and listen to the meeting which was recorded.

Finances –  This was discussed at Town Hall meeting that we are in better shape currently.  Concern expressed re. challenges to Sarah being able to continue in this role.  Dave will talk to her and offer possible solutions.

Orientation – Christiane will focus on putting together newcomer packets and finish out the year. Kevin Rains and Josh have been planning for a new orientation group in the near future.

Kevin Gilles has resigned from his position on the Pastoral Council and also will not be taking on the responsibility for the Leadership Community.

The Pastoral Council has been encouraged to look for others to fill some of the vacancies we now have.  Try to come up with list of names/recommendations by next meeting.

Concern was expressed about poor attendance at the Town Hall meeting and what to do about this in the future.

Question raised by Josh—“What do we do if something breaks?”

—-concerns about coffeemaker that is broken which belongs to L. Bourgeouis

—-expanders missing that belonged to J Thompson

Need for signage re. items left in the church being at risk

Post these signs in strategic places throughout the bldg.  (Mandy will oversee)

Meetings re. the building -  St. Elizabeth Exlorers (S.E.E.) – minutes will be available to anyone who is interested.

Discernment meetings – discussing what God is doing in our community; concern about how to introduce someone to VC and what are “next steps” for anyone who shows interest in being a part of VC – Participants are Kevin Rains, Sandy and Owen Brock, Greg York, Dave Nixon, and Josh Hanauer.  Look at first step as a phone number where an interested party can call (likely to be a conversation with Josh or with Mandy) .  Next would be an introductory meal with families or individuals who have volunteered to be hosts for this purpose of sharing more about VC.  There would be preset information which every host family would cover.  Next VC newsletter will ask for volunteers.

Member conversations – Owen will share more about what are important points at future meetings of the PC.

Next Pastoral Council meeting – August 15, 2010, at the Speckled Bird – 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Vineyard Central would like to recognize two of our newest friends, Sabrina Trosper and Dan French, in our community. We extend a warm welcome to you!

Inroducing Sabrina Trosper

Sabrina grew up on the West side of town. She moved to Norwood about four years ago to be closer to her job at Critical Mass Media. This past September she was laid off because the company closed. Since then she’s worked at Busken Bakery, and is currently doing temp work. Sometimes she works a week, then she’s off a week. Her birthday is June 2nd and her favorite color is orange. She loves to read, enjoys learning, likes art and experiencing new things. She’s been attending Vineyard Central consistantly since the June fesitival and is thankful to everyone at VC who have been very kind to her.

Inroducing Dan French

Thanks for welcoming me into Vineyard Central. I met Dave Nixon a few years ago at the Vineyard in Florence, Kentucky. He seemed to share my deep interest in Thomas Merton and the contemplative life so as I finished up three years of helping start a new Vineyard in Grant County, Kentucky, my pastors recommended I contact him for guidance on “what’s next”. Dave’s advice was as sound as Jesus’ and Philip’s (and I’m sure others): “Come and see.” The home church, neighborhood model will get us through all that is and is coming as it has for millennia.

There are obstacles to overcome of course. My hope is a rapid transition in relationships, obligations, and work that would allow me to find an apartment and move into the neighborhood this fall. Tertullian said, “All sin is a result of impatience with God.” Along these lines, I ‘bin perty bad. Time isn’t what it used to be.
For me happiness is a good cup of coffee, the presence of my Lord Jesus, and brothers and sisters to share it with. I promise to try to be happy!

Notes from the PC meeting on 5/2/2010

Present:  Sam Hatchett, Josh Hanauer, Mandy McLaughlin, Bethany Rogers, Kevin Gilles, Christiane Sears, Janet McNeel, and Dave Nixon

Meeting led by Josh Hanauer.

Brief updates from each member.

Sam and Mandy (Communications) – VC has a new phone number which is 549-1757.  This phone is now answered by Google Voice (transcribed and emailed to the communications team instantly).

Bethany (Gatherings) – Will be enlisting help and participation of house churches for the gatherings by late summer.  (Dave Nixon volunteered Hearth to be the first and this will occur in August).

Jeremy (Facilities) – There will be a meeting this week (5/6) at 7 p.m. to discuss maintenance schedule and other related matters.

Kevin (House churches) – Working on transition from Josh to Kevin.  Will eventually be taking on the responsibility of the Leadership Community meetings.

Dave (Internal focus) – Will begin 15 week series tonight on various topics related to discipleship.

Christiane (Orientation)- Will push back start date due to no response to recent notice to begin group.  Is interested in putting together packet of basic information for newcomers – hope to use at gatherings also.

Janet (Admin/Support) – Attending meetings with Dave and various others, offering assistance as needed.

Josh (External Focus) –  Will be meeting with the PE teacher at Norwood Middle School regarding rugby becoming a part of the curriculum.  Will also be moving forward with the prison ministry known as Step Up.  The recent mtg. which brought in a nationally recognized speaker went well.  This was attended by Josh and Nathan Myers.

Items of discussion –

Josh met with Mills House Church.  Concerns raised re. finances and status of St. E’s (the building in disrepair).  Concerns about care, maintenance, restoration, vs. preservation.  Concerned about these critical issues.  Will hope to discuss at least in part at next Town Hall meeting on 5/23.

Sam presented a brief tutorial on Google Wave for members.  We also heard a demonstration of the Google Voice answering the new VC phone number.

Sam shared information about a grant opportunity brought to our attention by Ben Eilermann.  This is for some monies made available to nonprofit religious organizations for improvements in energy efficiency in older buildings.  The grant would be through the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance.  Sam and Ben will work on this and submit by the deadline of May 19.

Discussion of our ongoing financial issues.  Seems that there is a need for the establishment of some standard operating procedures as there is lack of clarity re. how money will be used.  Some voiced the question of whether or not we need to hire an accountant, systems consultant, etc.  Mention was made of an individual at Vineyard Church who might be able to help with this.  The PC passed a motion to recommend to the Board of Trustees that someone be hired as a financial consultant to help institute better financial processes.

Brad Rogers has resigned from his role as overseer of ministries for older children.

Pastoral Council needs to commit to finding someone who will help us determine the future of the St. Elizabeth building.  The Board of Trustees will be meeting in the near future and this will be identified as an agenda item for this group to review.

Next meeting of the PC is scheduled for June 13 from 1:00 – 4:00 at Tilden.