January 2020

LISTENING TO THE HEARTBEAT OF GOD– FROM PASTOR LAWRENCE

On the cusp of a new decade, we need you to help our congregational call take flight. Join us for the second and final “Called to Life!” retreat on Saturday, January 18 at 9 a.m. in the Community Room. --- Earlier this summer, I slowly walked over the 120 feet of windswept sand that changed the course of history.   On the cusp of a new century, Wilbur and Orville Wright began to design a kite that allowed for controlled flight. Through patient and persistent research the kite evolved into a glider and eventually into a flyer.    One hundred and sixteen years ago on December 17, these two brothers from Dayton made final adjustments to the flyer. Determined by a coin toss, Orrville climbed aboard. When Orrville released the restraining wire, the engines pushed the flyer forward into the prevailing wind. For 12 seconds, Orville flew over 120 feet at Kitty Hawk, NC.    Twelve seconds would change history. It’s likely taken you, dear reader, 4x that long to read this far.  Twelve seconds would connect our world.  Twelve seconds would send spacecraft (Voyager 1) far beyond our Solar System and presently over 13.6 billion miles from earth Read More

2020 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN UPDATE You are a Gift! Your Gifts Matter Stewardship season is an inspiring time of year at OPC!  As of December 20, we received a total of 117 pledges, totaling $362,778, representing an increase of one-half of one percent over last year’s total pledge amount.  As you know, pledging is the significant cornerstone for our church’s annual budgetThank you!  If you haven't pledged yet and plan to, please make a pledge to our 2020 ministry today. Go to -  https://oxfordpresbychurch.org/your-gifts-matter/ .  As the year 2019 draws to a close we are pleased to provide you with an update on our recent stewardship campaign. We, the congregation of the Oxford Presbyterian Church, accomplished so much in 2019!  READ MORE

FROM PASTOR MARC’S DESK ... It’s the start of a new year.  It’s the start of a new  decade.   Can you believe it?  I was just thinking about how much has changed in my own life over the past decade. This time in 2010, I was preparing for my final semester of seminary, getting ready to graduate and to head out into the world and begin a ministry career.  Can you  remember where you were ten years ago?  How has your life changed in the past decade? The start of a new year can serve as a bit of a measuring stick in our lives.  They can help us measure how much we’ve grown, where we’ve been, the choices we’ve made (both good and bad), and where we hope we’re going.  In addition to a new decade, it has also been the end of my first full year here at Oxford Presbyterian Church.  It’s hard to believe a year has flown by already. Read More

UPCOMING EVENTS January 18:   Call to Life Retreat . 9am Seminary Community Room, See Pastor Lawrence’s article. January 19:   Ordination and Installation of New Officers in Worship Annual Congregational Meeting , immediately after Worship January 29:   Community Meal: OPC ~ Seminary (104 E. Church St.) at 5:30 p.m.  Call or email Bill Fisher at 524-4504 or [email protected] if you can help. Any dry goods for the dry goods pantry are also accepted January 30:  OPC Book Club meeting will be at 6 pm in the Molyneaux Lounge. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Carrie Ann Sharitt at [email protected]

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS NEW! Children's Activity Bags are available for little ones to use during worship. The bags are located just inside the narthex doors. Attention Youth and Sunday School Children Your church's Christian Education Committee has a Christmas gift for you! ...A "Joseph" ornament made by the Barker family in Oxford. If you haven't received yours yet, please contact Candace Crist.

NEW OFFICE HOURS Starting January 2nd, 2020 Office hours will change to: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.

THOUGHTS ON PER CAPITA “Stewardship Season” has just passed for us and during that time, we heard a bit about our per capita support that goes to our wider church settings, such as the presbytery. We were encouraged to pay each of our own pieces of this commitment if we can.  I don’t mind doing that at all. As one whose salary and ministries were supported by money provided in this way, I am naturally supportive of it. For me, it’s even more personal since I know it’s a way I can participate in the wider church’s ministries.  However, did you know that some of what we send in comes back to us? Probably not, unless you’ve been involved with campus ministry here at OPC. I’m pleased to share that Pastor Marc and I just received confirmation that we, along with two other campus ministries, will again receive a grant from the Miami Valley Presbytery.  Our campus ministry is one of those “wider church ministries” and we are grateful for the support we receive. It allows us to dream, plan, and keep moving our campus ministry forward. Thanks, OPC, for supporting us through supporting your wider church ministries.  Carol Klumb

CARES, CONCERNS, JOYS AND THANK YOUs IN OUR PRAYERS :  Keep these friends in your prayers : Betty Barnhart, John Curry, Bob Douglass, Nancy Gates, Genee Hesse, Chris & Hank Krueger, Ruth Miller, Jan Reinhart, Becky Rudolph, Sarah Soika, Joan Teckman, Stacey Winn, John & Jean Woodruff.  Lord in Your Mercy, Hear Our Prayers

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU    On December 8th, a group of OPC volunteers traveled to Safe Haven Farms for the annual Christmas decorating mission. The Farmers, parents, and staff at Safe Haven wish to thank everyone who participated in creating a festive community room for the Christmas party held at the Farm. A great time was had by all! The Farmers will continue to enjoy the beautiful decorations for several more weeks. Sue Wilson

DECEMBER SESSION MEETING Chair of Stewardship and Finance, Katie Payne, offered a walk through of the proposed 2020 budget in the hour preceding the meeting.  Devotions centered around the concept of  Openness.  Specifically being open to the Holy Spirit as it works in our lives and how to follow new directions as the Holy Spirit leads us. Active membership is up to 318 as we accepted 5 new members in November. Position descriptions for Youth Ministry Intern and Sunday Assistant were approved. The budget for 2020 was approved, excluding the Pastors’ financial packages, which will be presented to the congregation for approval at the annual congregational meeting on January 19. Current Wish List was approved. Judy Fisher Clerk

COMMITTEES OF SESSION Highlights (Many committees did NOT meet in December) Stewardship & Finance  S and F would like the congregation to know that we have worked diligently to meet the needs of OPC in creating the 2020 budget.  We have crafted a budget that is realistic and sustainable.  We hope our liaisons are helping all committees to better understand the process and will continue to foster this in 2020.  Our members have given generously in 2019, and through the hard work of our Gift Liaison, Bill King, have donated an astounding $133, 228 in gifts in addition to regular pledging.  Additional gifts are anticipated before the end of the year as well.  Thank you! Mission and Outreach Sue Skillings gave us a review and explanation of Financial Resources. We took a close look at funds and restrictions on funds. Voted yea to fund Presbyterian hunger program with $1500 now.  Voted yea to fund Presbyterian historical society in 2019 at $100. For 2020, need to transfer this responsibility to trustees or a history group (yet to be seated). Reviewed goals for 2019 and appraised how we did. Biggest successes: ·       Strengthened relationship with first church of Zlatoust  ·       Raised 10,000 for TOPSS ·       Become a Presbyterian Hunger Action Congregation Trustees  Since Nick will be temporarily performing the duties of facilities management and finance administration, his request for a leave of absence from the Board of Trustees was moved and approved unanimously.  Since this would have been Joe’s last meeting as a trustee, his years of service were recognized and gratefully appreciated.  Personnel Youth Intern – Position Description. Pastor Marc Van Bulck requested that Personnel review the submitted Position Description of Youth Ministry Intern. The new position – Youth Intern – will take the place of the Youth Director position.  Sunday Assistant – Position Description. The Trustees requested that Personnel approve the submitted Position Description of Sunday Assistant. The new position – Sunday Assistant – will be for a Sunday only job. (Note:  These job descriptions were submitted to Session where they were accepted and approved.)

TAKE FIVE Explained “Take Five” is a simple initiative meant to improve communications, by making reports from Session committees more enjoyable and meaningful to read in the newsletter. “Take Five” asks committees to reserve the last five minutes of their meeting as a wrap up time, to select a few items of most importance or of most interest to share in the newsletter. (Anyone who wants the complete minutes may request them from Bridgite.) Once those items are determined, the note taker, (as he or she writes up the meeting notes to send to the committee and Bridgite), can write up that short “take five’ paragraph and send it to Nancy Moeckel  [email protected] , newsletter editor, for the next newsletter.  I usually scan through the committee notes as they are shared for Session meetings, and pull items for the highlights section of the newsletter.  It would be better for each committee to select their own highlights.   And it’s just that simple! Nancy Moeckel The answer you are looking for is Maine

YES, INDEED! I am in the lounge, per usual, as a resource to our teachers and a connection with the children. And as I listen to Pastor Lawrence encourage us to be people, together, of the ‘yes’ rather than people to argue over the “I”manuel or the “E”manual, I hear peals of laughter and lilts of giggles coming from the children. They are the affirmation of my personal “yes” in their joy. They confirm to me that “God among us” not only was, but is alive and real for all of us to know. We have more good news to share and our children will help us carry it forward.  Carol Klumb

OXFORD PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Tuesday Afternoon Circle will meet on January 21 in Country Kitchen at the Knolls. Becky Quay will conduct the lesson and Lynn Cronk will present the mission yearbook. An optional lunch for $8 is available at noon in the café by making reservations with Rosemary Fisher by the preceding Friday (January 17) at 524-7748. Visitors and guests are always welcome to attend this lunch and meeting of Presbyterian Women.  Tuesday Evening Circle is looking forward to the January 7 th meeting at Jane Baer's home, 131 E. Spring Street, 523-5127.  We Start at 7:30. Jane will be her own co-hostess. Sue Wilson will do the program. Nancy Sturgeon will give the Devotions.

THANK YOU!!!! Everyone Who Contributed In Any Way.  WE MADE $1,120.00. We did not keep any lists. I’m always afraid that, even with lists of names, someone who contributed will be left off the list. Many, many helped, be it volunteering to help set up, selling on Saturday or Sunday, donating cookies, candies, crafts to sell, buying stuff, cleaning up. Each and every contribution is greatly appreciated. You know who you are; God knows who you are; Carol and I know who you are. So please know that, although your name is not here in print, you are wholeheartedly thanked. Peace and Good Will To All. Debbie Davidson & Carol Klumb

DEACONS Some Highlights  The fall blood drive was successful. The next blood drive will be in March of 2020.  Kroger Fund: Janet Holmes shared information about the Miami food pantry, where she and her son delivered our November donation of food staples and personal items, spending $323.97.  Prayer Line: Janet shared that her term as a Deacon is ending; therefore someone needs to take over this position.  Angel Report: 9 cards, 2 calls, and 26 visits were provided since the previous meeting. Do you know someone who needs a Prayer Shawl? Shawls are given for comfort in times of illness or grief, as well as for celebration in times of joy. If you have a friend or relative to whom you would like to give a Prayer Shawl, please contact Cornelia Browne, 513-524-7716.

CAROLING ABOUT TOWN On December 20 th , children, youth, and adults sang Carols about Town. A huge thanks to the drivers and carolers: Bill and Ginny Scott, The Rand Families, Megan Murray and family, Pat Gifford, Prue and Steve Dana, Joe and Karen Simpson, Greg Hughes, Judy Fisher, Debbie Davidson, Sherrie Skipper, Mary Jane Roberts, Candace Crist, Leanne Staley, Eric Staley, Lara Freidline, Lynn and Brad Cronk, Carla Rice and family, Amy, Lydia and Pastor Lawrence Bartel, twelve youth and Pastor Marc van Bulck.  Carols were sung at the Knolls, Oxford Healthcare Center and homes around Oxford. Unfortunately they did not travel to Woodland Country Manor due to a scheduling conflict.   The weather cooperated and thank you to those that opened their doors to hear carolers, the carolers and the drivers!  After caroling hot chocolate, pizza, and salad were waiting in the Seminary. The youth even spent the night!  It was a great way to prepare for Christmas!  Lynn Cronk

BETTY JANE WILLS Scarlet Oak Circle, The Knolls   Betty Jane Wills was born in Athens, Ohio in 1919 and has lived her entire life in Ohio. She celebrated her 100 th  birthday this year.    She met and married her husband, Woodrow “Woody” Wills in Athens where they were both going to school. They were married for 70 years.  After leaving Athens, they spent their early years in a number of small towns as Woody coached and taught in high schools.   She and her husband moved to Oxford in 1947. She has seen the town grow up during those years. Oxford in the early years was a great place to raise children. She remembers that one did not have to lock ones’ doors and that there was never a problem about allowing the children to play outside.  READ MORE

FROM DINING SERVICES TO PROFESSOR, PARKINSON HELPS MIAMIANS LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES Nancy Parkinson was the subject of an article in the December, 2019 Newsletter called “Miami Stories,” which comes “from the desk of President Crawford.” “On any given day, you can find Nancy Parkinson somewhere in Oxford pursuing her passion – helping others lead healthier lives. A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), president of the Ohio Nutrition Council and clinical faculty member is the ultimate networker and bridge builder…. Some of these projects include: collaborating with Oxford Kiwanis and the Talawanda elementary and middle schools for the K-Kids and Builders Club service leadership programs, and working with the Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS) to teach Oxford youth how to prepare quick, affordable and nutritious dishes.  To avoid jail time for copyright, I refer you to  Nancy Parkinson article to read the whole article. (--ed.) CONGRATULATIONS NANCY! (Thanks to Danny Cross for alerting us to this article)

A SEASON OF ANTICIPATIONS...A SEASON OF TRANSITIONS  Earlier this fall, Mary Martin announced her plans to retire. Mary began working as Financial Secretary for OPC at the beginning of 2017 and these three years have passed so quickly.   Nick Fears has been hired as a temporary Financial Secretary and is working with Mary to ensure a smooth transition. With experience in business management in addition to his four years of service as a Trustee, we welcome Nick to our ministry staff.  To reach Nick continue to use the same email address for the Financial Secretary ( [email protected] ) In another staff transition, the Personnel Committee accepted the resignation of Robert Simpson as sexton. For over two years, Robert served this ministry with dedication.   While we take a 360 degree assessment on the best staff position to meet our future facility needs, the Trustees are fulfilling the sexton duties. To contact the Trustees, please email the President of the Trustees - Scott Parkinson ( [email protected] )  Thank you to Mary and Robert for their investment in the ministry of Oxford Presbyterian Church. Pastor Lawrence

Beautiful singing for the Celebration at the Manger

Hitting all the right notes!

Three Wise Men

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Thank you Carla and Team!

HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE TO THE NEWSLETTER Or Keeping Your Editor Happy And Sane (Or As Sane As Can Be) Like they say in the real estate business Submit, Submit, Submit . The newsletter serves the OPC community. And we all want to know what is happening in our community.  Submit an article when you achieve something (grab that horn and BLOW it), when your family or friends accomplish something, (Dean’s list, made the team, had a great time at… visited, loved… got a new…).  Share news so we can all enjoy. Send email to Bridgite in the church office and/or directly to me at [email protected] Use the Arial font .  Make it size 14.  This is a highly readable font and no matter what font you submit in, it gets changed to Arial.   Don’t indent paragraphs .  Since the newsletter is in columns, an indent takes space we can use.  Put a line space between paragraphs, for readability. Single-space your lines .  No 1.5 or double space.   Please don’t format .  Just the facts ma’am.  If you have a list or points, that’s okay.  But don’t get too fancy.   No color .  To highlight something, bold or underline.   When you submit a picture with your article, please also  send along a separate jpg of the picture.  We need the picture separate to be able to manipulate for size and space and must have a separate jpg for the online version.  Do this even if you include a picture in a word document. Please be on time .  The deadline for the next newsletter IS ALWAYS THE 20th of the month. Weekends and holidays happen, and cause delays sometimes.  But when you submit an article on, say the 25th, it causes Bridgite lost time on other projects as she calms and soothes your editor. The problem is when an article comes in very late, it causes the newsletter to be reformatted, sometimes in a major way. We do our best to get every article in the newsletter and get the newsletter out a few days before that month.  Please do your best to get articles in on time, or let your editor know something is on the way. Pictures are now found on the center pages, with a reference to the related article or an informative caption. It costs a lot of extra money to print a page in color, so that’s why color pictures are gathered in the center. It makes all the color appear on ONE page, as the copier reckons it.  Bridgite deserves great credit for figuring this out, teaching your editor (patiently), and saving OPC many dollars! Thank you  Nancy

CHURCH SERVICES AT THE KNOLLS We will once again be viewing a recent Presbyterian Church service at The Knolls on January 14 & 28. Come and join us at 10 A.M. as we watch it on a TV in the Activity Room. If you would like to watch with us, but need a ride, call Becky Quay at 513-523-5747

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS  As you contemplate what resolutions you will make, consider these quotes. “I'm resolving to just wing it and see what happens.” ― Bill Watterson\  “If you decide to cut something out this year, try replacing it with something else to balance out the loss. If you stop drinking soda, for example, replace it with becoming more sedentary. You deserve it. You loved soda.”  ― Colin Nissan May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions! ~  Joey Adams  ~ Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” —Helen Keller “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” —Benjamin Franklin “Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing.” —Sarah Ban Breathnach “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” —Vern McLellan

Oxford Presbyterian Church Staff web page:  www.oxfordpresbychurch.org Office Hours: 8:30-4:30, M-F Telephone: 513-523-6364 Fax: 513-523-8215 Seminary Building: 513-523-7411

Pastor: Lawrence Bartel Associate Pastor: Marc van Bulck Music Director: Kent Peterson Organist: Lynn Jacobs Pastor Emeritus: Dr. Joseph R. Hookey Parish Associate: Rev. Diane Ziegler Clerk: Julia R. Fisher Administrative Assistant:           Bridgite Dickerson:          [email protected] Financial Secretary: Nick Fears   [email protected] Youth Director: Currently Seeking Director/Teacher C.C.N.S.:  Sarah Lake:                                                          ccnsoxfordpreschool@gmail .com     Newsletter Editor:           Nancy Moeckel,     [email protected] Custodian: Priscilla Parks Sexton: Currently Seeking CLICK Here to see list of Elders, Deacons and Trustees

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 4      Jane Baer 5      Angie James 7      Eliot Boyle 7      Deanna Roberts 8      Joy Russell 9      Ellen Buerk 9      Tom Fey 9      Jessica Stephenson 10    Cindy Satkowski 12    Marty Miller 15    Mary Isabel Casper 15    Doka Satkowski 16    Cora Friede 19    Judy Cross 19    Dolly Thomas 22    Scott Walter 23    Mike Sunderhaus 24    Mickey Preston 26    Steve Flee 27    Jane Jackson 27    Nancy Wilson 29    Cameron Hay-Rollins 29    Steve Snyder 30    Kim Logsdon 31    Andy Farler    JANUARY JAZZ In Scotland, December 31 is known as Hogmanay, the word children use to ask for their traditional present of an oatmeal cake.  It's believed that Hogmanay originated with the invading Vikings who celebrated the passing of the winter solstice with much revelry.  Good luck food for the new year Eating any ring-shaped treat (such as a doughnut) symbolizes “coming full circle” and leads to good fortune.   In the southern US, black-eyed peas and pork foretell good fortune. Sea otters hold hands when they sleep so they don't drift apart. Alaska is so big you could fit 75 New Jerseys in it. Did you know that if a  Barbie doll were life-size , her measurements would be 39-23-33. She would stand 7 feet, 2 inches tall. Barry Manilow wrote state Farm’s jingle, “Like a Good Neighbor,” It’s impossible to hum while holding your nose closed.   (made you try it—ha ha!) Question of the Month There is only one state of our fifty states with a one-syllable name.  What state is it? Find the answer hidden somewhere in the newsletter  Betty White  is actually older than sliced bread.

We welcome your feedback on the newsletter. We CRAVE your feedback like Minnie craves digging for moles. What is missing from the newsletter that you would like to see? Is there anything you like about it ? Let me know. [email protected] Now here is your bonus for reading this section. I ’m not impressed with the organizers of the New Year’s Eve celebration at Times Square. They always drop the ball.