No matter who you are or where you are on Life s Journey, you are welcome here.

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1 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ORANGE CITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Issue 10 October 2018 Pheonix Prochilo posing for a beautiful photograph taken by DeVeda Prochilo on their canoe on Lake Sandy Pond, Richmond, New Hampshire No matter who you are or where you are on Life s Journey, you are welcome here.

2 Greetings, In a recent issue of The New York Times there was a disturbing article about human rights violations in China; in particular, violations concerning religious freedom. A Muslim sect called Uighurs seem to be bearing the brunt of the persecution, with an estimated one million of them being held in detention camps, but they are not the only religious minorities facing persecution. Technically, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Islam are officially sanctioned by the government, but that does not mean they function in complete freedom. I, personally, have testified in federal court on behalf of Chinese Christians seeking asylum in this country, and am aware of the challenges they face. We may complacently wonder what this has to do with us, China being half a world away, but human rights violations anywhere are violations everywhere; and the church is One Body An attack on some Christians is an attack on all Christians. I m sure we can say the same for our brothers and sisters of other faiths. If one religious minority, such as the Uighurs, can be so flagrantly violated, what is there to stop the same treatment of other groups? We must also be aware that ours is not a country devoid of religious intolerance. Though it is not government sanctioned there are religious groups who feel the sting of hostility and discrimination. So much of it is grounded in a lack of knowledge, as well as misunderstanding, which should be countered through education and meaningful dialogue. We may not be in a position to influence the policies of other countries, but by being truly faithful to our own first amendment guarantee of religious freedom we can model for others that which benefits a society when those of different creeds and beliefs cohabitate in mutual respect. Pray for an end to all violations of human rights throughout the world as well as peace between the religions! Peace, David

3 MEMO FROM THE MODERATOR Here we go! For several weeks we have been talking about New Beginnings and we are eagerly awaiting the visit of our assessor on Wednesday, October 10. John Derby, our assessor, is coming from the San Francisco Bay area and we will all have the opportunity to meet with him during the day. Here is the schedule: 10 a.m. Church buildings tour (Trustees) 11 a.m. Review Finances (Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Chair of Trustees) 11:30 a.m. Lunch (Pastor, Moderator) 1:30 p.m. Windshield tour of the community (Jack Fielding, Ed Pritchett) 3 p.m. Appreciative Inquiry Session (All members and friends who are interested in the future of our congregation that would be all of us!) John will then take all the information he has gathered and the information that we have already sent him (statistical data, financial, historical, etc.) and prepare a report for our church. We should receive the completed report in early January and it will be used as we begin discussions about our church s future. The Council will meet on Tuesday, October 2, at 4 p.m. to make sure we are prepared for John s visit. We will also discuss choosing House Meeting Leaders. These will be the individuals who will lead us through the sessions as we discern the future of our church. There will be an all-day training session for these leaders on Thursday, January 17. We will be seeking leaders who are comfortable facilitating a group of approximately eight other church participants and can lead the group through a series of discussions. If you would be interested in becoming one of these leaders, please talk with me before October 2. This would be an excellent way to be involved in the future of the church please prayerfully consider this opportunity. I ask you to join me in praying that the New Beginnings process will provide our congregation with a spark to move forward and see where we are led to continue the 135 year tradition of being the First Congregational Church of Orange City United Church of Christ. Peace and Blessings, Jo Pritchett SAVE THE DATE!... Wednesday, January 16, we will have an opportunity to learn about the next step in the New Beginnings process. Please mark this date on your calendar and plan to meet with Jill White, a Facilitator who will do our Leadership Training on Thursday, January 17. This will be our opportunity to learn about the next steps in the process and learn about the report from the assessor.

4 The Deacons Corner Gene Stephenson, Doris Ford, Barbara Peters, Sharlene May, Cyndy Voner, and DeVeda Prochilo, are all here to serve our Church. The Deacons with the Pastor have set up a schedule for regular monthly visits/calls in If you know of anyone who is in need of or would like a visit please let any of the Deacons or David know. If there are ever any concerns, ideas, or suggestions or if you think someone might appreciate a card, please let any one of us know. We are only too happy to help. Worship Services October 7: 10:30am Worship Service (Twentieth Sunday after Pentecots, Communion) October 14: 10:30am Worship Service (Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost) October 21: 10:30am Worship Service (Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, Rev. Dale Stewart) October 28: 10:30am Worship Service (Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost, Rev. Dale Stewart) REV. DAVID WESTCOTT will be in the office and available for calls/visits on Weds from 10am-2pm and Thurs from 1pm-3pm. If these days are not convenient other arrangements can be made

5 Mission Board OCTOBER MISSION PROJECT IS NEIGHBORS IN NEED (NIN) OFFERING Neighbors In Need (NIN) is a special annual mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. The offering will be received at our church on October 21 st. One-third of the offering supports the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Historically, forebearers of the UCC established churches and worked with Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa. Arickara and Hocak tribes in North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and northern Nebraska. Today there are 20 UCC congregations on reservations and one urban, multi-tribal UCC congregation in Minneapolis, MN. Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants awarded to UCC churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities. This year, special consideration will be given to projects focusing on serving immigrant neighbors and communities. Neighbors In Need helps make a Just World Possible For All. For this to occur, it needs our support. Please give generously using the special envelopes provided. MISSION UPDATE for members who were away this summer: In August Michael Pleus, City Manager of DeLand, visited our congregation. He is the coordinator for the day center currently under construction for the homeless in West Volusia County. The center has been appropriately named THE BRIDGE. It will hopefully be completed in It will be staffed and managed by the Neighborhood Center. Local churches have been asked to assist with its operating expenses. Our Mission Board has agreed to support this much-needed project by a once-a-year drive to collect funds for those expenses. This year the drive took place in August. If you missed that opportunity to participate, you may do so at any time. There are envelopes at each entrance to the Sanctuary for that purpose. TEDDY BEAR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16, Many thanks to all who brought TEDDY BEARS to church last Sunday. The firefighters were VERY appreciative. Coming next Sunday, Sept. 30, Special collection to go to UCC Disaster Services, to be used to assist victims of hurricane Florence and floods on the eastern coast of the US.

6 Church News LEADERSHIP MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, October 2, 4 p.m. NEW BEGINNINGS Wednesday October 10, 3:00 PM JMH MISSION BOARD Thursday October 11, at 10:30 am (JMH) DIACONATE: Thursday October 11 th, 1:15pm (JMH) TRUSTEES: Wednesday October 3, 11 am (JMH) COUNCIL MEETING: Tuesday October 30th at 4 pm in JMH (Budget) CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: Sunday Nov 11 th, Following Worship COMMUNITY GROUPS MEETING AT OUR CHURCH Every Sunday Sobriety First (AA) 7:00 8:00PM (FH) Every Monday Grateful Group (AA) 7:30 PM (JMH) Every Tuesday Sisters in Sobriety (AA) 6:30 PM (JMH) Every Wednesday beginning Aug 1, Alcoholics and God (AA) 6:30-8:30 PM JMH) Every Friday COA Respite Group (JMH) 8:30 AM 3:00 PM Every Thursday Orange City Step Group (JMH) 7:30 9:30 PM Every Saturday Woman s Weekend of AA 10:30 AM (JMH) Monday Friday Meals on Wheels (Council on Aging) 9:00 AM 12:30 PM (FH) First Thursday of the Month VIA Orange City Women s Club (October-May) Second Sunday of the Month Volusia Music Club (FH) (Sept-May) Fourth Monday of the Month District 19 5:15 PM (FH) Saturday Volusia Community Symphony 9:30 AM NOON (FH)

7 A Note from DeVeda Hello to all my Church family, I just wanted to share some photos for you all to see what I ve been up to over the summer...the Picture of the mountain is the blueberry picking area; The blueberry jam, I made one with your name on it Sharon.; peaches that I got for jam; the brook where Phoenix likes to go in; Turkeys in the front yard; children playing in our field; The church picnic and baptism was held on our property in Richmond, New Hampshire. The pastor Dr. David Pierce & our former pastor Rev. Arnie Johnston celebrating a baptism on Lake Sandy Pond, Richmond, NH.

8 A Note From The Church Office.. I just wanted to share a special letter I received this month from Mildred Kolb a long-time member of our church... Dear Sharon and David: This is intended to be a congratulatory card for your anniversary, but my selection is limited and I cannot always hop in the car and get to the card shop. Therefore, this will have to do. I hope that you two may enjoy many, many more happy and productive years as the special couple that you are. You both have been very special friends to me, and for that I am eternally grateful! In extension, this is also a note to my church. I hope that it may grow and prosper, and that young people will find a strong support within its doors. It is still my church, as long as God determines that I should live. At 96, I'm not sure how long He plans, but I will continue to try to do His bidding, as long as He requires. I have so many wonderful memories of Joe and I, either both of us or individually, working at so many projects and enjoying the experience, conducting yard sales, raising funds for the fellowship hall, handling a phone - calling system, being a deacon, participating in the parades, being the minister's first secretary, working on the mission fund. So many wonderful memories. I do enjoy receiving the Newsletter each month. Mildred CHECK YOUR FOR NEW *SPECIAL CHURCH NEWS/ UPDATES!! Please send in or any photos or information that you would like to share with your Church family for our monthly newsletter. Let s see some fun or interesting things or places we have visited over summer. firstucc_ocy@yahoo.com STEWARDSHIP Just a reminder pledge cards have been distributed and are due on or before October 5, everyone should have received one. If not, there are spare in the church Library or in the church office.

9 OCTOBER SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 Sisters in Sobriety (JMH) 6:30 PM COUNCIL 4;00PM JMH 3 TRUSTEES 11 AM JMH AA Alcoholics in God JMH 6:30-8:30pm 4 O/C Step Group (JMH) 7:30 PM 5 COA Respite Group 8:30-3PM (JMH) 6 Women s Weekend AA (JMH) 10:30 AM VCS (FH) 9:00-Noon 7 Choir Practice 9:30am Worship 10:30AM Sobriety First (FH) 7PM 8 Grateful Group (JMH) 7 PM 9 Sisters in Sobriety (JMH) 6:30 PM 10 AA Alcoholics in God JMH 6:30-8:30pm 11 MISSION BOARD 10:30am JMH O/C Step Group (JMH) 7:30 PM 12 COA Respite Group 8:30-3PM (JMH) 13 Women s Weekend AA (JMH) 10:30 AM VCS (FH) 9:00-Noon 15 Choir Practice 9:30am Worship 10:30AM VMC 2:30pm (FH) Sobriety First (FH) 7PM 16 Grateful Group (JMH) 7 PM 17 Sisters in Sobriety (JMH)6:30pm 18 TRUSTEES 11 AM JMH AA Alcoholics in God JMH 6:30-8:30pm 19 DEACONS 1:15pm (JMH) O/C Step Group (JMH) 7:30 PM 20 COA Respite Group 8:30-3PM (JMH) 21 Women s Weekend AA Group (JMH) 10:30 AM VCS (FH) 9:00-Noon 22 Choir Practice 9:30am Worship 10:30AM Sobriety First (FH) 7PM 23 Grateful Group (JMH) 7 PM 24 Sisters in Sobriety (JMH) 6:30 PM 25 AA Alcoholics in God JMH 6:30-8:30pm 26 O/C Step Group (JMH) 7:30 PM 27 COA Respite Group 8:30-3PM (JMH) 28 Women s Weekend AA Group (JMH) 10:30 AM VCS (FH) 9:00-Noon 29 Choir Practice 9:30am Worship 10:30AM Sobriety First (FH) 7PM 30 Grateful Group (JMH) 7 PM District 19 (FH) 5:15-7:00 PM 31 COUNCIL 4;00PM JMH budget 2019 Sisters in Sobriety (FH) 6:30 PM

10 Birthdays in October 2 Mert Stephenson 4 Barbara Fields 8 Clayton Kaster 9 Louise Stewart 26 Betty Roselle 29 David Putnam Anniversaries in October 4 Sam & Dawn Bass 15 Clayton & Clara Kaster Information for the November Newsletter is due on Monday October 22, you can put information in the secretary s box in Jane Murray Hall, or you can call Sharon at or you can it to firstucc_ocy@yahoo.com Please send in or any photos or information that you would like to share with your Church family for our monthly newsletter. Let s see some fun or interesting things or places we have visited over summer.