Due to the recent spike in COVID cases in Hamilton county, we will worshiping online only this Sunday, January 23. Thank you for your patience as we love our neighbors by trying to keep each other and the surrounding community as safe and healthy as possible. Please reach out to the pastors if you have special needs during this time. The Session will meet on Wednesday and consider whether to begin worshiping in person again after this Sunday, so look for updates next week.
Worship services are available by livestream on our Youtube channel or Facebook page at 11:00 am on Sunday and anytime afterward. 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.
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ALSO ON SUNDAY: CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Immediately after the worship service, log onto Zoom using the link below. We will receive the 2021 Annual Report and 2022 Budget and approve the Pastor Stacey's Terms of Call. The 2021 Annual Report is available online here. If you would like a printed copy, please let Nori know whether you would like to pick it up or have it mailed to you.
Password: mapc
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JANUARY SERMON AND EDUCATION SERIES ON MENTAL HEALTH
For the next 2 weeks in worship, we will continue talking about mental health and mental illness. During this time we work to unpack some of the stigma around mental health, through exploring who we are as beloved people of God (broken bones, mental illness, and all) and how God calls us to care for one another regardless. Our hope is to help our community recognize that we are not alone in our struggles, make space for our community to talk openly and honestly about what they might be dealing with and provide resources as we learn and grow together.
January 23 - Pastor Stacey will be preaching about coping with stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges within community. The annual Congregational Meeting will follow the service on Zoom.
January 30 - Encounters education hour with the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). Pastor Rebekah preaching.
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REFLECTIONS FROM THE PASTOR
Dear friends,
So we’ve been talking about mental health for a bit now in our education hour and worship services. Over the course of the last few weeks, I’ve heard from so many of you, expressing thanks for talking about this and the challenges so many of us are facing in light of our current realities. For many of us, anxiety is high and we feel like our mental health is escaping us, after enduring so much isolation and disruption to our lives over the last 20 months. In saying that, part of our intention with this series was to bring some of our collective struggles to light, so that we do not have to suffer in silence and hide parts of ourselves from community. We also wanted to address some very real mental health challenges and their impact on our lives, be it anxiety, depression, or other. And yet sometimes focusing only on what feels wrong can leave us without the tools to notice signs of health and healing in our lives.
I imagine many of you are familiar with the concept of “red flags” when it comes to relationships. I know I was bombarded with lists and brochures in college about what signs to look out for in relationships that could indicate something unhealthy or harmful. It wasn’t until the last five years or so that I began to encounter posters and lists of “green flags,” the signs to pay attention to that may indicate a healthy relationship. It really makes me happy to know that young people these days are getting resources to not only help them identify when something is potentially harmful in a relationship but also resources to help them recognize good and healthy signs in their lives.
In addition to the conversations about mental health struggles we are having in earnest this month, I think it is also important to reflect on what the signs of good mental health are or signs of healing. Just like a healthy relationship doesn’t mean there won’t be arguments and struggles, good mental health doesn’t mean endless happiness devoid of anxiety and feelings. There are signs to pay attention to in the midst of these feelings that could be “green flags” when it comes to mental health. Here are just a few to start:
Feeling your feels: You let yourself feel what you are feeling, even when it’s hard. You don’t try to suppress your emotions. You recognize that positive thinking has its place, but denying that a tough experience has affected you won’t fix anything.
Reaching out: When the going gets tough, you welcome help and support in a variety of forms. You reach out to friends, loved ones, community, or seek professional help to lessen the load. Asking for help is a good sign and a good thing.
Accepting something is hard: Life isn’t always easy and there are times in life when things are exceptionally hard, i.e transitions, loss of relationships, global pandemic. Being able to name what is difficult allows you to move from denial to acceptance.
Other green flags include things like acts of self care, forgiving yourself, and setting boundaries in your life.
As important as it is for each of us to recognize the signs in ourselves and in others that we might be struggling and need help, I also want to empower each of you to explore the “green flags” in your life, even as we continue to navigate the challenging realities of pandemic life. We are not alone and we can share our challenges, hopes, dreams, and griefs within a community of love and care.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Rebekah
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NEW YEAR, NEW WAYS TO GET INVOLVED!
Have you been looking for ways to connect to the MAPC community? Are you hoping to shift your involvement in the coming year and try something new? Now is the time! The committees are beginning to schedule their first meetings of 2022 and would love to have you on board. Contact the pastors or committee chairs if you'd like more information.
Want to help out but committees aren't your thing? We're also looking for people to be trained on the live-streaming system, office volunteers, ushers, and a variety of other one-time and regular jobs around the church; just talk to one of the pastors.
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OPEN STACKS BOOK CLUB
A Message About our February Book Group Gathering (Friday, February 4, 2022, MAPC Geier Room from 7:00-9:30). We continue to meet in the Geier Room, however, if Church services are only via Zoom, we will likely reschedule this event. Please watch for emails and church announcements. A Special Book Discussion: Book: Hiding In Plain Sight by our own Teri Miles. If you do not yet have Teri’s book, you may purchase it through this link Cost: $25.00 If you have any questions, please check with Bill Bogdan or Nan Costello. We will see each other soon.
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CONNECTOR ART GALLERY
Inside Out, An Affirming Epiphany
Trans Art and Poetry
SOS Cincinnati, Saad Ghosn, Editor
January - March 2022
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WAYS TO HELP SETTLE AFGHAN IMMIGRANTS IN CINCINNATI
The local nonprofit, Heartfelt Tidbits, is assisting in the relocation of Afghan refugees to Cincinnati. You can go to their website to see a full list of ways to help. Some tasks require a large commitment. For example, there is a need to transport people to appointments, to help people move into new living spaces, and to furnish household items. There is an especially easy way to help. As these families arrive from Afghanistan, there are many basic items they require. Most of the items cost far below $50. Heartfelt Tidbits is preparing “welcome kits” that incorporate these simple items. If you want to help fill welcome kits with some of these items, please go to the following SmileAmazon site to make a purchase.
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SOME GOOD NEWS FROM FROM PAAD
Presbyterian Action Against the Death Penalty
Sunday, January 23, marks the 10th anniversary of Joe D’Ambrosio’s exoneration off
Ohio’s death row. Joe came to share his story with us in January, 2013, along with
Father Neil Kookooth. Father Neil was the person who was able to makeJoe’s release
possible.
UPDATE FROM PAAD
There is a call for us to take action and help get the ball rolling again in the State Legislature regarding SB 103 which calls for abolishing the death penalty in Ohio and replacing it with Life Without Parole. Now that many of us are home due to COVID numbers rising you may have some spare time on your hands. There is a way you can participate in this movement from the comfort of your favorite easy chair. You are being asked to make some phone calls. Please, read the information below and start making some calls. In advance, we thank you for taking part in this very important matter.
Legislative Update
The legislature is back but no hearings have been scheduled for either bill yet. We need to create momentum in the Senate and get SB 103 moving again. Please call or email the sponsors and cosponsors of this bill (volume matters):
- Steve Huffman (R)- (614) 466-6247
- Nickie Antonio (D)- (614) 466-5123
- Niraj Antani (R)- (614) 466-4538
- Hearcel Craig (D)- (614) 466-5131
- Tina Maharath (D)- (614) 466-8064
- Kristina Roegner (R)- (614) 466-4823
- Michael A. Rulli (R)- (614) 466-8285
- Vernon Sykes (D)- (614) 466-7041
- Cecil Thomas (D)- (614) 466-5980
- Sandra R. Williams (D)- (614) 466-4857
- Kenny Yuko (D)- (614) 466-4583
You can say: Hello, my name is ________. I am calling to urge more hearings on Senate Bill 103, the strongly bipartisan bill to repeal Ohio's death penalty. Ohio is better than a broken, expensive system that harms the families of murder victims and convicts innocent people. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my call!
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3 Nina Thomas
Cynthia Brown
7 Dan Parsley
8 Pat Basler
Rachel Timm Holmer
10 Marcia Alscher
Nan Costello
11 Chris Basler
Christine Montefiore
Keith Syler
16 Rick Sowash
Debbie VanKuiken
17 Jane Carter
Bill Porter
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20 Amy Beegle
Deb Carle
Ella Mae Thigpen
21 David Nash
22 Harold Porter
Joaquin Leavitt-Alcántara
23 John Tallmadge
25 Dustin Didier
26 Pat Lefeld
Nori Muro
27 Judy Rhodes
28 Chap Sowash
29 Lisa Foster
31 Kathleen Downey
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Ohio Death Row Inmates with January 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.) Iman Siddique Abdulla Hasan, James Were, James Frazier, Danny Hill, David Myers, August Cassano, James Goff, Jerome Henderson, Samuel Moreland, Calvin Neyland, Damantae Graham, James Tench, George Brinkman, Christopher Whitaker, Austin Myers
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If you want to see something on the prayer list,
and note how long it should remain on the list.
- Prayers for Amy Grady.
- Prayer's for Ruth Anne Van Loon's husband who had surgery for a brain tumor that was diagnosed recently.
- Mary Carol Melton's sister Maureen Conlan had a stroke and is now at Llanfair for rehabilitation.
- Gwen Ramgobin was discharged from the hospital December 9. She is home and will be receiving PT three times a week. Cards may be sent to her home: 1349 Thomwood Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45224.
- Cathy VanHorn remains non-weight bearing for the last 2 months. Starts PT in January with hopes for a full and complete recovery so she can again, hit the Tennessee hiking trails in the Spring with Laurie and their 3 dogs. Please keep her in your prayers for overall strength, patience, perseverance, optimism and positivism. Notes can be sent here: PO Box 189 Townsend, TN 37882
- Sonya Harry (spouse of Alison Perkins) is recovering from her spinal surgery on 11/8/21, but her cancer diagnosis is devastating. She has "medically incurable" type of rare sarcoma. Her Oncologist can't venture a guess about how long she will live. Prayers appreciated 9321 Streamview Ct., Dayton, OH 45458
- Daniel Addai asks for prayers for healing.
- Prayers requested for Susan Ingmire’s mother, Marlene, who has chronic heart problems and is 90 years old and for Susan’s brother, Steve, who continues to struggle with alcoholism.
- Prayers for Frank Burdick who has been diagnosed with cancer and is in treatment.
- Diane Myers thanks everyone for prayers for her mother, Jeanette Longworth. After a recent setback, her mother has been able to resume breast cancer treatment.
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MAPC OFFICERS
The new elders and deacons will be installed on January 23. Session has their first meeting on January 26.
The Session is: Sara Bick, Sandee Ernst, Amy Grady, Julia Malkin, Marlene Muse, Sequoia Powers-Griffin, Dave Simon, Susan Thomas, Yana Keck, Carl Ward, Ellen Muse, and Lisa Foster. Faye Burdick serves as stated clerk.
The Deacons Board is: Elizabeth Marsh Singh, moderators. Linda Vaccariello, Earl Apel, Lynn Hailey, Patty Muhlemann, Bonnie Bohn, Nan Costello, Rick Sowash, Deb Carle, Van Ackerman, Deborah Ramey, and Amy Beegle.
The committees of the church are:
Operations
Finance and Stewardship
Worship
Education and Spiritual Nurture
Justice-Seeking
Congregational Engagement
Outreach
Personnel
Nominations
Earth Care Leadership Team
Please contact any of these people or Stacey or Rebekah if you have questions about the Session, Deacons, or Committees of MAPC!
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MAPC HAPPENINGS!
All gatherings and worship services are virtual unless otherwise noted.
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Sunday, January 23
9:30 AM, Encounters, Zoom
11:00 Worship, YouTube
Tuesday, January 25
9:30 AM Preacher Bible Study, Zoom
Wednesday, January 26
11:00 Staff Meeting, Conference Room
2:00 St John's Seniors, Geier Room
Thursday, January 27
4-8:30 IJPC, Geier Room
Sunday, January 30
11:00 Worship, YouTube
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DONATE ONLINE
Now you can participate in the mission and ministry of Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church through convenient online giving! Scan the QR code with the camera on your phone and it will bring you directly to our donation website. Thank you for your generous support.
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MAPC ONLINE DIRECTORY
Updated as of January 2022
You can find the online 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 Nori!
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OFFICE AND PASTORAL COVERAGE
At least one of the pastors is normally "on call" every day. Stacey is off on Mondays; she can be reached the rest of the week at 518-533-8000 or [email protected]. Rebekah is off on Fridays; they can be reached at other times at 717-476-6297 or [email protected]
VOLUNTEER NEEDED IN CHURCH OFFICE
I am still looking for a volunteer to answer phones, greet visitors and attend to any vendors coming in. Wednesday, January 26-Friday, January 28 from 8-3. Email Nori if you would like to help!
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IMPORTANT CONTACT INFO UPDATE
Please take note! Dan Davidson has new contact info. Should you need him for anything Church related after hours, please note the changes to his contact info. Cell is (513) 808-6010 and his email is [email protected].
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If you would like to add anything to this weekly e-newsletter, please email Nori [email protected] by Thursday morning. This includes ALL events, prayer requests, and other items of interest. If you want to see it in the e-newsletter, email it to Nori!
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