A brief look back at some past events.
Omelette Sunday
Hearth House Church hosted an Omelette Breakfast Sunday, June 20th, 2010 at the Speckled Bird as a way of showing hospitality and encouraging community. Donations given raised money to purchase fruit trees that will be planted in the community of West Norwood. They plan to continue hosting future events, so stay tuned. There will be more omelettes, baked goods, and gourmet coffee to come.
What: Alaict (As Long As It’s Called Today, Heb 3:13)
Who: Women of VC and surrounding community (It does not matter where you are spiritually or in your disciplines, only a desire to seek and respond to God through prayer and scripture.)
When: Wednesdays 7:00-8:30PM, (If you are interested and this time does not work for you, let us know as we would love to connect with you.)
Where: 4505 Carter Ave., above the Speckled Bird
Questions: communication@vineyardcentral.com Continue reading…
VC Community! Our first “Town Hall” meeting of 2010 will be held on Saturday, July 10, at 6pm, in St. Elizabeth’s.
Join us there for a quick rundown of what the Pastoral Council has been working on in the following areas:
This should take approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours. Please come with any questions related to these topics. If you have a pressing question that doesn’t fit in this meeting, send them this way.
There’s still time to cast your vote on the naming of these events! (survey is not scientific)
Over the past year, as VC has worked towards firmer structures of leadership and accountability, we have also been increasingly aware of the need to address the building structure, St. Elizabeth’s. In May, Ben Eilerman, a member of the community and an architect, filed (along with Sam Hatchett) a grant proposal to the Greater Cincinnati Energy Commission that could be used to make the building more energy efficient. They are pleased to announce that Vineyard Central was chosen as the recipient of up to $15,000 in matching funds. Currently Ben and David Thompson are attending sessions to become energy inspectors, and Ben is attending regular meetings to allow VC to take full advantage of the grant monies. There are a number of limitations on the grant, however, and a new exploratory commission has been formed to assess long term strategies for building maintenance as well as best uses for this money. The grant is structured to provide a 15-20% subsidy to the total cost the energy efficiency upgrades so in the next couple of months, VC will need to raise matching money or in-kind donations to receive the entire grant. More info will be coming, but we will need the help and financial support of all who use and love the St. E’s space to make this opportunity a reality.
This coming Sunday we’ll be meeting for our monthly gathering. Being the 4th of July, we’re calling it the Festival of Peace and focusing on the ways the Kingdom of God subverts the kingdoms (and even democracies) of the earth. Join us at St, E’s for worship, teaching and potluck, starting at 10 am. Childcare is provided for ages 8 and under. Please sign up for the potluck with our easy doodle.
Kate Hanisian and Ramsey Ford are working in southern India to create an international design fellowship program that would link designers to communities, working on design related solutions to better standards of living for those around the world who need those services the most. They have an opportunity to compete for a $10,000 grant through the Nau ”Grant for Change” competition that could be applied directly to the placement of design fellows with social sector organizations.
Kate and Ramsey were a part of our house church for a couple years before moving to India, and we were immensely blessed by their presence. They are brilliantly alive with the love of God and full of compassion for others….and they’re pretty dang smart. If I could vote for their initiative over and over again all day I would, because I trust that beautiful things will come from their efforts and skills. Since I can not, I wanted to ask y’all to take a moment, read a little about their work and consider casting your vote for their cause. Voting is open only til July 6th, so there’s not much time left.
It’s super easy and quick. Here’s how it works:
1 .Go HERE
2 .Read our short overview.
3 .Click “vote/share” .
4. Click on “vote for this nominee”. (you will be asked to register, it only takes a few seconds.)
Thank you!
Elizabeth Hatchett
The Board of Trustees of Vineyard Central is (legally) responsible for overseeing the care and maintenance of property owned by the church. In our case that means St. Elizabeth’s. We understand that the issue of the building’s physical state needs to be addressed in a serious and sustained manner. Beyond the needed repairs we face a growing liability issue.
In order to begin this work, the Board has established an ad-hoc committee that will meet regularly through the remainder of the summer to explore ideas for moving forward. This team isn’t a decision-making body. Instead it will generate ideas and attach some levels of feasibility to each of the ideas based on research that it does (homework required!). At the end of the summer it will present its ideas and suggestions to the Board of Trustees and Pastoral Council. Those two groups will then determine how best to present the committee’s work to the rest of the community, soliciting input and further ideas.
The following people will be serving on behalf of Vineyard Central:
Sam Hatchett, Angela Pancella, Ben Eilerman, Elizabeth Herron, Jeremy Eyre, Janet McNeel, Greg York, Drew Allan, Kevin Rains, and Matt Dawson
Your prayers for them and the team’s work matters.
On behalf of the trustees (Owen Brock, Janet McNeel, Greg York),
Dave Nixon
VC Block Party: June 22nd, 1:30 – 3:30pm
You are invited to an afternoon of FREE entertainment and fun activities for the entire family. 500 hotdogs to be given away! FREE popcorn, snow cones, bottled water, and several games with cool prizes. Kids can jump in the MoonBounce and a DJ will be playing great music. Parents can even register to win a FREE microwave.
For more information, please contact Christiane at Cantwait2surf@hotmail.com
Facebook event page Here.
Pray and Play returns for a second round on June 22 at 11:30 am. Following that, we will meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month (So July 13 and 27) .
Bring a packed lunch and join us for some stories and prayers, appropriate for the 0-5 crowd and their caregivers. We will meet in the St. Elizabeth’s Children’s room (entrance off Lincoln). Questions: Mary Ellen Mitchell.
The Springdale Vineyard is hosting the following event:
Parents,
Looking for an opportunity to help your kids grow in God? You won’t want to miss this special family event coming here to the Vineyard on October 1!
Your kids will experience tons of fun with a great message, and you’ll probably find yourself singing right along! This is a great event for your kids to invite their friends to.
Mark your calendars and check in to getting free tickets!
See you at VeggieTales Live!
Karen Stefacek
Family Pastor, Vineyard Community Church
513.671.0422 Ext. 162
stefacek@vineyardcincinnati.com
Patrolman Matt Boettcher from the Norwood Police Dept. wanted to reach out specifically to the Vineyard Central community and alert everyone to a few events they’re hosting. These are especially kid-friendly events, and they’re hoping to draw a lot of children. Sounds like fun – the first event is this Friday, and we’ll send out a reminder before the National Night Out event in August.
If you’d like to help out by volunteering for any of these events, we can put you in touch.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Friday June 18, 6-8pm
Grill-Out at the Norwood Community Center, 1810 Courtland.
Free food will be provided.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Tuesday August 3, 6-8:30pm
National Night Out. Norwood Community Center, 1810 Courtland
Encouraging any and all children to attend. The kids will get to meet police/fire personnel, view equipment, food/drinks, games, and activities.
Cincinnati Zoo Presentation (with animals) @ 6pm
(Night Out website)
Babies and Toddlers rejoice!
Just a quick reminder (original post here). Starts Tomorrow @11:30a.
For the 0-5 crowd, kind of like library story time meets sunday school.
Hurry up and contact Mary Ellen.
Morning prayer, using the Phyllis Tickle Divine Hours, is now meeting at 7 am Monday through Friday in St. Elizabeth’s. The Liturgy of the Hours is an ancient practice of prayer drawn from the Psalms which is used by Christians worldwide; everyone is welcome to join this “cascade of prayer.” Contact Angela at apancella@gmail.com for more info.
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.
Network Gathering This Sunday! 10am – 12pm … Celebrate and bring a dish (remember to sign up).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Vineyard Central’s Family Appreciation Day is this Saturday! Stop by to meet Snoopy and have your picture taken with him. Play games, have your child’s face painted, enjoy some yummy refreshments and socialize with several families in the community. See you on June 5th, from 3pm-5pm!
We could use a few more volunteers. If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact Christiane at Cantwait2surf@hotmail.com. Thanks!