Author: Jason Thompson

THE GOOD NEWS
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF WEST PARK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Spring 2023

3909 Rocky River Drive
Cleveland, Ohio 44111
216.671.7228 phone
WestParkUCCOffice@gmail.com
WestParkUCC.org

Following Christ, Caring for All, Growing Together

IFTAR DINNER
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins on the evening of March 22. During this month, many Muslims fast from food and drink during the daylight hours. On Wednesday, March 29, our Muslim friends from the Northern Ohio Intercultural Association will break fast with us and teach us about their faith. They will provide an assortment of traditional Turkish foods. We will begin at 7:00PM with dinner served promptly at 7:49PM (sunset). We need help with set up and break down. If you can help out, please arrive at Bartter Hall at 6PM. No need to sign up. ALL ARE WELCOME.
TURKEY AND SYRIA
EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
Donate through the United Church of Christ to aid relief efforts.

IN MY HEAD
thoughts from Pastor Jason
The season of Lent was not
generally observed in the church
of my youth. The community
of faith that raised me was not a
liturgical group; we only celebrated
Holy Communion two times
each year. Perhaps this is why
the Lenten season is so special to me as an adult. Lent, for me, is a time of deep prayer and introspection: Where have I sinned against our God and how can I repent?
I am reminded of the vows I made at my baptism; the vows we all make at baptism or, if we are children, the vows we affirm at confirmation. At baptism and confirmation, we promise to renounce the powers of evil, to receive the freedom of new life in Christ, to profess Jesus Christ as savior, to resist oppression, to show love and justice and to witness to the work of Jesus in our world. That’s a tall order! And one that we don’t take lightly.
I kind of think of Lent like my annual physical with my doctor – a necessary and important part of taking care of my spiritual health. Lent can be like a tune up – a time for us to adjust and correct, a time for us to dedicate more time to our relationship with Jesus. During Lent we also observe a season of fasting. Christian fasting is biblical (based on Jesus’s forty day fast and temptation in the wilderness) and has a long history in the Church . The first observances were in the early 4th century.
(continued on facing page…)

Is fasting during Lent necessary for our salvation? No. But it can bring us closer to our God and create a great sense of empathy for God’s people.
There is another part of our baptismal vows over which we have no control. In the United Church of Christ we offer to support others at their baptism. As gathered witnesses, we vow to be a community through which the baptized can discover the meaning of Christian faith. And we promise to help the baptized discover the gifts God has given. This, too, is a tall order. Baptism in the UCC is a three-way covenant between God, the baptismal candidate and the congregation. How many times have you witnessed a baptism? How many times have you vowed to offer support to the one baptized?
In the early Church, baptisms were usually done on Easter morning. The weeks leading up to Easter were a time for the baptismal candidate to study and pray. For centuries, we have generally avoided celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism during Lent, setting these forty days aside for penance, fasting and prayer. I ask you to join me this year as we again walk the road to the Cross as a community of God’s people. Yours in Christ,
Pastor Jason
(pictured is the site on the Jordan river where many believe John baptized Jesus)

SABBATICAL YEAR
Sabbath is a gift from God, because rest is as important as work for the health of all of creation. The seventh day was consecrated as a day of rest, and God ordered all of creation to cease from work on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11). God commanded the people to let the land lie fallow every seven years and replenish itself (Leviticus 25:1-5). Jesus frequently left his followers and his disciples to pray by himself, spending time reflecting on his call, listening to God’s Still Speaking voice, and receiving strength and direction for his ongoing ministry.
Rooted in these Biblical commands for Sabbath, a sabbatical is a significant time of rest, renewal and refreshment for pastors. A sabbatical is not a vacation, but a time to nourish their relationship with God, recommit to their call, and provide renewed vision and focus for ministry while temporarily stepping back from the daily work of ministry.
During this last year, we have talked a bit about sabbatical and what that means in the life of our church. Our last sabbatical was well over ten years ago when Pastor Larry Craig was serving as Senior Pastor. Our sabbatical team is hard at work planning special church activities and events for later this year. Pastor Jason’s sabbatical will take place from Labor Day to New Year’s Day.

New format to newsletter

All church retreat
Save the dates June
Pentecost
Strawberry social
Pride parade
Ash Wednesday
Lenten program
Holy week
Easter
Open doors
Volunteer morning
Spotlight on staff
Spotlight on new members
Funeral planning info
Coronavirus planning
Bible study
m

MITTEN LINE UPDATE
For over ten years, we have collected mittens, hats, scarves, gloves, etc. to help keep neighbors warm during the cold winter months. The items are packed in bags and placed in the front of our church as an offering to any and all who may pass by. Each item is packed with a simple note: I AM NOT LOST. I WAS MADE JUST FOR YOU. We offer thanks to all the volunteers who take time to stock the line throughout the week. So far this season, we have gifted over 350 items to local neighbors!
ALL CHURCH RETREAT
The annual All Church retreat will take place over Memorial Day weekend, May 26-28 at Templed Hills camp in Belville, Ohio. This time of intergenerational community building and refreshment is a great way to build new friendships and strengthen old bonds. Anyone who would like to attend this year’s retreat planning session is invited to meet in the parlor after church on Sunday, March 12. For more information and to sign up, visit the GROW page of our website or call the church office.

MODERATOR’S
CORNER
Clarence Chavers
Hello Church Family!
I am happy to speak to you in our wonderful news letter. After a year of careful nurturing from Moderator Margaret Owens, I am ready and willing to take up the reins of office. Last month’s Church Council meeting went without a hitch, and in one hour and ten minutes. So far so good!
On Sunday the 19th of February, we had our Annual Meeting in Bartter Hall after several years of restriction. I conducted the meeting and prepared the entrée. It was a big day for yours truly, but with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Vice Moderator, Mandi Salvino, and former Moderator, Margaret Owens, and of course other friends who baked and generally helped out, this event was a blessing!
Our beloved Pastor Jason will go on sabbatical later this year, bringing forth unusual challenges, but once again, I depend on the Holy Spirit and the love of the members for WPUCC and each other to carry us through this headwind.
I would like to thank all of you for entrusting the Moderator's gavel to me. It is the answer to a prayer I didn't yet know I was praying. This type of service is in my family, and I am proud to fulfill that destiny in such a worthy institution. Philippians 2:3 states: "Let nothing be done through strife and vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem each other better than themselves." This is what I feel and see at WPUCC, and pray I can help us down that pilgrim path.
Thank You and God Bless Us All,
Clarence Chavers, III
Moderator

UPCOMING EVENTS
For many years, we have collaborated with our friends from Beth Israel: The West Temple in various worship services and community events. They share our commitment to serve God and God’s people. Their longtime leader Rabbi Enid Lader will retire in June after years of service. Retirement celebrations will take place on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20. More details to come.
THE ALBER SCHOLARSHIP
Applications are available for active church members who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors in a post-secondary accredited educational institution. Application deadline is Sunday, April 2. You can pick up a paper copy in the narthex beginning February 19. Scholarships will be awarded during worship on You may also find the application our the church website at westparkucc.org/grow. Completed applications should be emailed to the church office: westparkuccoffice@gmail.com.

New format to newsletter

All church retreat
Save the dates June
Pentecost
Strawberry social
Pride parade
Ash Wednesday
Lenten program
Holy week
Easter
Open doors
Volunteer morning
Spotlight on staff
Spotlight on new members
Funeral planning info
Coronavirus planning
Bible study
m

LENTEN SUPPER STUDY
This year’s Lenten program will be a joint Potluck and Study with our friends from Christ United Methodist Church. We will gather in Bartter Hall on Wednesday nights during the season of Lent at 5:30PM for a shared meal. Please bring your own plate, cutlery, and drinks as well as a dish to share. Our study will begin at 6PM. If you prefer to join the study virtually, there is a Zoom link on the EVENTS page of our website. Rather than a traditional book study, we will walk through the Scriptures as follows:
March 1 — Genesis 12
March 8 — Exodus 17
March 15 — 1 Samuel 16
March 22 — Romans 8
April 5 — Acts 10 & Matthew 28
MOBILE MAMMOGRAM
On Friday May 5, we are hosting the Cleveland Clinic mobile mammogram bus at our church. This life-saving service is offered free of charge. See Margaret Owens for more information.
ALL ARE WELCOME!

Things happen around our church that few ever notice. The Church Mouse sees all! Here are some recent excerpts from Myrtle’s diary.
December 18, 2022
Santa visited the church today. At first, I thought he was only going to talk to the small hoomans. But I was very happy that he took time to ask me what I wanted for Christmas. I asked for lots of cheese! Cheddar is my favorite, but I really like them all.
January 21, 2023
I think I want to learn to play rugby. A local rugby team came to volunteer in the food pantry. They seemed really nice and were a great help to Sara this morning. I want to be like them. The only team I know is all rats, though. Is there a local team for mice?
February 13, 2023
Finally, the respect I deserve. Mr. Bob installed a door just for me in the Sunday School room so I can come and go without having to wait for the big doors to open. Hope I don’t’ startle the little hoomans when I come in.

(RE)INTRODUCING…
THE WEST PARK UCC CHURCH MOUSE
The church mouse has a long history at West Park UCC, appearing in the first iterations of our original newsletter: THE INK WELL. The church mouse notices and comments on the lesser seen activities in our church. Since her reintroduction last year, we have received much affirming feedback from the congregation, including participation from younger friends. Our children and youth have now given the mouse a name: MYRTLE. Keep an eye out for her when you’re in church. You never know when she might be watching!
March Volunteer Opportunities
Wednesday, March 8: 12:30pm - Truck Day
Friday, March 10: 3:00pm - Prep Day
Saturday, March 11: 9:00am - Pantry Day
Friday, March 17: 3:00pm - Prep Day
Saturday, March 18: 9:00am - Pantry Day
April Volunteer Opportunities
Wednesday, April 5: 12:30pm - Truck Day
Friday, April 7: 3:00pm - Prep Day
Saturday, April 8: 9:00am - Pantry Day
Friday, April 14: 3:00pm - Prep Day
Saturday, April 15: 9:00am - Pantry Day
May Volunteer Opportunities
Wednesday, May 10: 12:30pm - Truck Day
Friday. May 12: 3:00pm - Prep Day
Saturday, May 13: 9:00am - Pantry Day
Friday, May 19: 3:00pm - Prep Day
Saturday, May 20: 9:00am - Pantry Day

SPECIAL MISSION OFFERINGS: PINK ENVELOPE
Each month, our church supports a special offering to benefit other organization’s missions to serve God and neighbor.
March 2023: Campership (camp scholarships) aid our children and youth to attend summer camp at Templed Hills, the UCC outdoor ministry for the Heartland Conference.
April 2023: ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING is an ecumenical offering supported by the United Church of Christ. The funds collected are used to support disaster relief and economic development to underserved communities around the world, proclaiming our shared faith in Jesus Christ to all the nations.
May 2023: The Alber Scholarship offers annual awards to college students in our congregation. This fund is an historic partnership between West Park UCC and Wittenberg University. The monies collected in this offering are used to bolster the amounts awarded, providing aid with ongoing educational expenses.
SAVE THE DATES
June 10, 2023 — Strawberry Social
June 11, 2023 — Confirmation Sunday
June 18, 2023 — Father’s Day Picnic
July 4, 2023 — West Park Independence Day Parade
August 13, 2023 — Safe Church training (required every 3 years)

New format to newsletter

All church retreat
Save the dates June
Pentecost
Strawberry social
Pride parade
Ash Wednesday
Lenten program
Holy week
Easter
Open doors
Volunteer morning
Spotlight on staff
Spotlight on new members
Funeral planning info
Coronavirus planning
Bible study
m

Jason Thompson Jim Furry
Senior Pastor Associate Pastor
Sue Keserich Linda Ferro
Minister of Music Church Administrator
Jennifer White Sara Jovanovic
Director of Digital Food Pantry
Ministries Coordinator
Bob Arcuri
Director of Maintenance