Join us on Sunday, August 4, at 11:00am for worship.

We are worshiping in person and also by livestream on our Youtube channel or Facebook page. The video includes the readings and hymn lyrics, but if you prefer to see a bulletin as you follow along, you can find it online here..

LITURGISTS AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

8/6 Susan Ingmire

8/13 Michael Adee

8/20 Diane Smith

8/27 Rob Biddinger

9/3 Nan Costello

9/10 Sandee Ernst

9/17 Yana Keck

9/24 Anne Marciniak

OFFERING ASSISTANTS AUGUST

8/6 Darwin Popenoe

   8/13 Susan Ingmire

   8/20 Claire Willians

 8/27 Bill Muse

FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR AUGUST

Margaret Champion

Bill Bibble (and that was “Bibble,” he would be quick to tell you; not “Bible,” which, at one time, had indeed been his family name), lived just over the ridge from me in the mountains of West Virginia.

A stereotypical mountain man, Bill lived in a two-room shack with no indoor plumbing (and used to fill his water jugs from the well at my house). The staple food in Bill’s diet was venison, which, because he had no teeth, he put through a meat grinder and cooked on a one-burner hot plate.

In summer, Bill planted tomatoes and cucumbers, was proud of his garden, and regularly brought me bags full of fresh vegetables. His furniture consisted of plastic lawn chairs, a TV, a very small cot, and a wooden gun cabinet. Bill loved his guns. A mountain-smart and proud man, he enjoyed shooting at targets (and, successfully, at deer). His vices were chewing tobacco and FOX News, but, despite our many differences, we became good friends.

Bill would visit me three or four times a week, either for morning coffee or for an early-evening, non-alcoholic beer, which I kept for him in the refrigerator. We would sit in my porch rockers and look out onto Church Mountain. Whenever I hosted a group of friends from the area (many of whom were affluent Gay and Lesbian weekenders from Washington DC), I included Bill. He always came wearing clean clothes and his best hat, but always left before dinner so he wouldn’t have to eat (without teeth) in public.

I am not sure exactly what prompted Bill to do this, but, on one occasion, he decided to host his own “party,” inviting a Lesbian couple and a straight couple who were also neighbors on our mountain. When I arrived, Bill had set up his plastic lawn chairs and a horseshoe pit on a strip of grass overlooking his garden. After we had all gathered, Bill appeared from his modest home carrying two paper plates covered with paper towels. One plate held Saltine crackers and sliced American cheese (with the wrappers removed); the other plate bore Doritos. My heart melted at the sight of his offering: his “widow’s mite,” I thought. All at once, my definition of what comprises true hospitality was turned on its head.

This Sunday, I will be preaching on the topic of compassion, generosity, and hospitality, as discussed in the Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 9: 35-10:8). The lectionary pairs this text with Genesis, where we find one of the most poignant examples of welcome and hospitality in the Bible. Abraham sees three “men” standing near the entrance of his tent. The Narrator tells us that Abraham runs to greet them and bows down to the ground in their presence; invites them to stay; offers water for their feet; and welcomes them to share the shade under his oak tree. Then he and Sarah host the three guests in a feast. While they are at the table, they ask about Sarah, who is standing nearby, just at the entrance of the tent. What happens next is “laughable”: Abraham and Sarah are told that despite Sarah’s advanced age, she will bear a son. 

My friends, important things happen at table. Life can change on a dime, or a widow’s mite, and life-changing, self-reimagining things can occur. To come to the table in love is to risk encountering the Holy. It is to risk being shaped into different people, the people we were meant to be.

This Sunday, we will be celebrating Holy Communion, so . . . come to the table. Everyone is invited! Come to the place where who you are or why you have come do not matter, but, rather, what might happen to you when you arrive. 

 Good news! The MAPC Session calls a transitional pastor

As your Session, we are pleased and delighted to let you know that we have hired a transitional pastor. The Rev. Lucinda Isaacs will be joining us full-time as pastor starting August 22. Transitional pastor is becoming the preferred term and understanding for interim pastor. 

Rev. Lucinda says: "Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church is the type of congregation where I feel at home —inclusive, thoughtful, and bold. As a pastor, I lead with essential questions about identity, purpose, and vision. I am eager to share these gifts with the congregation at this time of transitional ministry. Together, I am confident that we can create the space needed for the curiosity and openness that will allow for new patterns of ministry and leadership to emerge. As humbled as I am to be a part of your important legacy, I am glad to help shape a bright future.”

Rev. Lucinda is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. She lives in West Chester, Ohio with her spouse Gihani, who has a Master’s in Public Policy from George Washington University and works in program evaluation. They are parents to a ten-year-old and a four-year-old.

Rev. Lucinda has a personal website where you can learn more.

She is a graduate of Maryville College, Union Theological Seminary and is completing a D.Min. at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She has served churches in New York, North Carolina and Ohio. 

We are grateful for the open hearts, spirits and hard work by many, including More Light Presbyterians, that opened ordination to all qualified people. Those efforts and the resulting changes that have enabled us to call Rev. Lucinda to serve with us a transgender person, among the first in our denomination.



As a pastor has responsibilities to the congregation, so do we, to them. Let us warmly welcome and support Rev. Lucinda as she begins her ministry among us.

The Session of Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church 

A Message from Carl and Bill

HOPE…a small but meaningful word that has a powerful place in our communication with each other. Hope defines the difference between giving up and holding on. Hope is the spark that moves us forward, as individuals, as community, as children of God. Hope helps us believe and work for a better life. This is our wish, our dream, and our prayer for you.

As we transition our lives and our home to be in closer proximity to our beloved family…in Williamsburg, in North Carolina, and in Florida…our leaving Cincinnati and Mt. Auburn is bittersweet. We leave as better persons because of this congregation…the friendships, the love, the faith in God, shared together, in hope.  

“Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.” 

-Proverbs 24:14

We gladly welcome visitors to our new home in Williamsburg (119 Meeting Place, Williamsburg, VA 23185).  

Session Snippets

July 2023

Our meeting norms of Leadership are: Openness, Honesty, Loyalty, Healthy Conflict, Positive attitude, Faith sharing.  That’s the framework.

Prayer, Meditation & Shared Joys & Concerns – Elder Pat Timm opened our hybrid meeting ( zoom & in person ) with a meditation from Bible verses ( Mark 14 vs 3, 8-9 ) and a reading from “The Church Cracked Open” by The Rev Stephanie Spellers. a thoughtful work about redefining church in the wake of the pandemic and a renewed reckoning with racial justice. We lifted in prayer our concerns & celebrations – friends, families, and members of our own faith family, and our world, for many shared situations.

The docket for the evening was approved. Approval of voice was given to Executive Presbyter Lisa Allgood and Lynn Hailey.

Moderator’s Report -

Rev. Robin shared another busy month for her.  She also announced that our Administration Manager, Nori Muro has tendered her resignation, effective August 4. Nori has also shared her exciting news plans in recent MAPC newsletters.

Discussions & updates –

We went into a brief Executive Session for a brief discussion.

Community Circle Task force members met via Zoom on 7/18 to recap our experiences at the 7/16 Community Circle and to plan the next, scheduled for 8/13, after worship. The congregation’s response to the recent Community Circle was very positive with another good turnout and feedback. Participants appreciated Elder Anne Marciniak moderating and thoughts from Pastor Robin on what to expect (and not to expect) from a pastor. Recurrent themes included trust, accountability, repentance, and reconciliation. Lynn Hailey recommended a Brené Brown Ted Talk on trust, and its planned to be played at the next Circle, followed by discussion. Another discussion was about possibly a half-day session in the fall once the transitional pastor has been installed.  Maybe bringing in The Rev. Troy Bronsink to assist with trust-building exercises.

Elder Timm summarized the 7/19, space sharer task force meeting. Rents are not currently tied to square footage. Some of the sharers are behind in their monthly rents and Elder Pat will be working a catch-up plan with them. We will welcome a new space Sharer – CUFA ( Communities United For Action ) beginning this Fall. You will hear more about them later. Discussions are underway about renting space to The Third Way Peace Fellowship. All space sharer contract renewal dates will be changed to January beginning in 2024. After the August Session meeting, Pat will meet with the head of each space-sharer organization and discuss ‘2024 contract renewals. Future rents will be tied to square footage and increased to offset property tax and utility expenses. Anyone interested in being the volunteer Space Sharer Manager on a regular basis to manage our relationship with them  - please speak with Elder Pat.

Elder Pat presented recommendations from the MAPC/Third Way Peace Fellowship Task Force, which included many others representing other related MAPC committees and Jono Sparks-Frankli, director of Third Way Peace Fellowship. It included asking Sparks-Franklin to research existing models for congregational/new worshipping community partnerships, programming opportunities for members of MAPC to meet with members of Third Way in their community (organized by Cate Sherron), and formation of a leadership team to lead this process forward. The motion passed. Session will consider a future Community Circle as a way to communicate about our partnership.

MAPC will not participate in the Festival of Faiths this year, as its right in the timing of our transition to a new pastor. Co-Clerk Judy will communicate this decision to organizer Chip Harrod.

Session declined to act on an appeal from Bethany House to help acquire a new vehicle for a client in need. Elder Michael will post the information on MAPC’s Facebook page in case individual congregants would like to help.

Upcoming business includes an August discussion of Information Technology at MAPC led by Session guest Darwin Popenoe, and a September discussion of our financial situation and next steps, potentially led by F&S Co-Chair Susan Ingmire and Treasurer Margaret Champion.

Action items –

Accepted the request from member Dale Didier, to remove his membership from our roles.

Session’s next regular scheduled meeting is Wed. Aug 23, 7 pm in the MAPC conference room.

Co-clerk Faye Burdick closed us with prayer.

Please contact Co-Clerk Judy Cunningham if you would like a draft copy of this month’s session minutes. (The minutes are not official until Session approves them at the next meeting.)

A list of Session members can be found on the MAPC newsletter. If you have any questions about our work, please reach out. Please remember that ALL are welcome to attend the Session meeting – currently the 4^th Wednesday of the month. We meet at 7 pm via in person & Zoom.  You will be in observation mode, unless you request “privilege of voice” at the beginning of the meeting.

Members and friends of Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church 

We want to invite all of you to participate in — 

 A COMMUNITY CIRCLE ON August 13th

On August 13, the Session will offer the fourth Community Circle. This meeting will build on the insights expressed in our last meeting, attended by 50+ church members and friends.  

Together we will watch a brief video presentation by well-known researcher, author and teacher Brene’ Brown. We will then discuss her insights and what they mean for us as a faith community. Be sure to be part of the conversation. Your views matter. 

Anne Marciniak will serve as the moderator. This next Community Circle will take place in the Geier Room after the Sunday morning worship service at 12:15pm for approximately an hour or so. While we do encourage participation in person, we will offer an online option via Zoom. 

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 820 6149 8462

Passcode: Mapc1868

We look forward to seeing you on August 13 after church.

Sandee Ernst, Ellen Muse, Anne Marciniak, Judy Cunningham, Michael J. Adee and Sequoia Powers-Griffin

 COLLECTING SHOES IN ANY CONDITION!!!



Did you know that the recycling center collects shoes in ANY CONDITION and recycles them? Instead of throwing those old sneakers or dress shoes in the trash, take them to the HUB. Since our church is volunteering at the HUB this coming week, if you bring the shoes you wish to get rid of to church this Sunday and put in box on the recycling table, Kathy Downey will take to the HUB.  

MEET THE ARTIST

This coming Sunday after church, you have the opportunity to view the art in the corridor and meet the artist, Karen Adams.  

It will be a busy coffee hour, but if you can take just a few minutes to look at the art with Karen, she would be grateful. Here is her bio:

My name is Karen Adams. I have lived in our beautiful city my entire life. I graduated from Lakota High School and graduated from the Art Academy of Cincinnati with a BFA. I have always had an interest in photography and I took it much more seriously after my twin grandchildren were born a few years ago. I look at my photography as a documentation of my life.

My work ranges from local sites such as Spring Grove Cemetery and local parks, to vacations to Gatlinburg and the Grand Canyon.  

I am currently the photographer for the Cincinnati Playwright Initiative which perform at the Aronoff.

I have been blessed throughout the years with a variety of jobs...my main career for over 20 years was working in Visual Merchandising. This is a fancy word for working in display at major department stores around our city. I worked at L.S.Ayers, McAlpins, Dillards, and Macys. I have also been a trainer for Synchrony Bank.  

One of the hardest jobs I have had was being the caregiver to my father who had Alzheimer's.

All my photos are for sale. I hope you enjoy the show and thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to share a little piece of my life with you.  

Battery Recycling Is Back

After a brief hiatus, I am recycling batteries again. I now take the batteries to the Hub, where they charge $1 per pound to recycle them. Therefore, contributions to help defray the cost are greatly appreciated. The batteries that I took in last month cost $15. Contributions can be left on Sundays in the Recycling Tip Jar next to the recycling box. Thanks.  Bill Stiver

MAPC Open Stacks Book Group TONIGHT

Date: August 4, 2023

Time: 7:00 Social Hour…7:30 Book Discussion

Place: Zoom Option and Pat Basler Home

The Kaiju Preservation Society

John Scalzi

(Nominee for Best Science Fiction for 2022)

September Open Stacks Book Group

Date: September 1, 2023

Time: 7:00 Social Hour…7:30 Book Discussion

Place: Home Host: TBD  

           Zoom Option Available

Book Selection: Demon Copperhead

Author: Barbara Kingsolver

Book Description (from Goodreads)

Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, this is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father's good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. In a plot that never pauses for breath, relayed in his own unsparing voice, he braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.

Coming Attraction

Friday, October 6, 2023

October Book Selection

Braiding Sweetgrass

Robin Wall Kimmerer

Cincinnati Scholar House Gets Ready for “Back to School”

with some MAPC help

On the morning of August 1, four MAPCers headed over to CSH to hang some motivational signage for the new school year. Patricia designed the plan; Pat Basler, Linda and Doug Ford helped to execute it. We will likely be invited in early October to change the entry hallway into a spooky, yet inviting, Halloween experience. Thanks to Doug for doing ladder duty!

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

6     Dale Didier

8      Lauren Clark

9      Lauren Gibb-Hancock

        Emma Harrison

10    Kenzie Spell

12    Guy Humphrey

15    Rich Bitting

19    Carolyn Gutjahr

20   Sarah Bernardino

       Patty Muhleman

       Joseph Ramgobin

21   Nico Koppert

22   Frank Burdick

       Sam Nash

24   Bill Hardy

28   Yana Keck

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

5 - Dave Chalk & James Bockerstette

5 - Britt & Lauri Harwood

8 - Bill & Jane Hopewell

9 – Steven Zink & Doug Johnson

10 - Hal & Betty Porter

18 - Faye & Frank Burdick

21 – Amy Beegle & Michael Hawrylycz

22 - Bill & Marlene Muse

23 - John Hancock & Marcia Alscher 

OHIO DEATH ROW INMATES WITH AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

Cards have been sent to the following inmates.(Remembering Jesus’ words, “I was in prison and you visited me”, please, take time to read the list and offer a prayer for each of them.) Wayne Powell, Jeronique Cunningham, Stanley Jalowiec, Gregory Osie, Anthony Sowell, Carl Lindsey, Stanley Adams, Timothy Coleman, Larry Gapen, Fredrick Mundt, Douglas Coley, Gary Hughbanks, Lamont Hunter, Freddie McNeil, Thomas Knuff, Jr., Shawn Grate

If you want to see something on the prayer list,

please email office@mtauburnpresby.org

and note how long it should remain on the list.

• Prayers for Mark Schuller’s dad to the prayer list. He is in his 90’s and going for heart surgery.
• Prayers for Julie Malkin, her mother died on July 6th.
• Prayers for Brian Tansey. He was recently informed he will not be going back to his apartment in Assisted Living at Twin Towers. He will be remaining there in the Health Pavilion in skilled nursing. If you would like to call him, his number is: 513-319-5683.
• Prayers please for Dan Parsley's Mom, and for Dan. They received devastating news about her health and she is now under palliative care. 
• Prayers the entire Burdick family as we lost our dear Frank on June 8th.
• Prayers for Chuck Cecil, partner of Jack Wenning. He broke his back in three places. If you feel so inclined, cards can be mailed to 2590 Freeman Ave, Hamilton OH 45015.

CHURCH OFFICE COVERAGE AND WHO TO CONTACT

For a while we won't have anyone in the office. Pat Timm has offered to come in a few half days a week. Session members will check voicemail when we get our new phones hooked up and Darwin will be monitoring the church email and forwarding to necessary people.

Contact Pastor Robin White for Worship and Personal Issues

Contact Margaret Champion for Financial Issues/concerns

Contact Pat Timm for Space Sharing Issues/concerns

Contact Judy Cunningham for newsletter issues and changes/additions

Contact Diane Myers for Building Issues/concerns

For room reservations, please check the MAPC website calendar, and email office@mtauburnpresby.org to reserve

We are actively working on the phone issue. Please email the office office@mtauburnpresby.org . If you need to get a hold of Robin call her cell 304-490-9702. Thanks for you patience as we work through this!

If you need to get a hold of Christopher our Resident Caretaker, after hours, his cell is 571-471-2362.

MAPC DIRECTORY

Updated as of August 2023

Find the PDF version here. Please note that this is an ever-evolving document, and it's been especially hard to keep track of people over the last couple of years. If you notice any changes or errors, pass any updates on to the Office!