LCF Connection                      Summer 2006

Expansion Update

By Keith Scheffel

 

On April 13, 2006, the LCF Trustees met to discuss expansion of our facilities. The Trustees reviewed a document drafted by the leadership team (i.e. pastors and elders) that articulated the leadership team's vision for expansion. This document was revised to reflect Trustee's input and will serve as a guiding document for the Expansion Task Force (ETF). For more information about the ETF see article on the following page. The LCF vision document can be viewed on our church website (www.londonchristianfellowship.org) under “Expansion Process”. The Trustees are excited about expansion possibilities but are also aware that a tremendous amount of energy and work will be required to make expansion a reality. Please keep the Trustees and the ETF in your prayers during the coming months.

ETF FAQ’s

 

By Keith Scheffel,

Chairman of the LCF Trustees

 

What is an ETF?

ETF stands for Expansion Task Force. The main purpose of the ETF is to manage the expansion project for LCF from start to completion ensuring that it is consistent with the vision expressed by the trustees. Throughout the project the ETF will facilitate good communication with the trustees and the congregation.

 

How was the ETF composed?

The ETF consists of four members -- all appointed by the Trustees. A member of the Trustees serves ex-officio on the ETF while the other three members were chosen on the basis of their construction, management, communication, business, and finance skills.

 

Who are the ETF members?

Richard Troyer (chair), Jeff Helmuth, Levi Miller and Phyllis Swartz. The group was finalized mid-June.

 

What are the main responsibilities of the ETF? 

In brief, the ETF is responsible to manage the expansion project for LCF from start to completion delegating responsibilities as needed; the ETF is also asked to ensure consistent communication flow between the ETF and Trustees and ETF and congregation on issues, needs, concerns, recommendations, questions, progress, etc., related to the expansion project.  (The ETF job description can also be viewed on our church website under “Expansion Process”.)

 

How can I assist the ETF?

Prayer is the most important way you can assist the ETF as they begin their responsibilities. As we move forward, your input and investment of time will also be needed.

 

Why “Task Force” rather than “Committee?”

The term “task force” was chosen on purpose. It implies focus and movement. The definition of “task force” is, “A temporary grouping of individuals and resources for the accomplishment of a specific objective.”

Serving with a  “Jesus Attitude”

By Larissa Swartz

The week of June 11-16 our LCF youth group went to Monroe, Louisiana for a group work camp called “A Week of Hope”. We spent our time at various work sites learning to serve others with a “Jesus Attitude” of obedience, sacrifice, servanthood and love. The work sites we worked at included a recreation center, a food ministry and helping to fix up a local house. There were three other youth groups there with us. Two were from Texas and the other one was from Missouri. Through this experience we made many new friends and were able to share God’s love with others.

 

Personally, for me, this was a time to grow closer to God. I made many new friends and was happy to use my gifts for God. God used this camp and the people involved in it to reach out to many people and bring others back to Him.

Every night we had an evening program and part of that program was devoted to “God sightings” which are times we noted where we saw God at work. We had a couple “God sightings” each night, but on the last night there were a whole lot! It was very evident to me that God was working in amazing ways.

 

We can pray that other youth groups who attend the “Week of Hope” have a similar positive experience and that the “Jesus Attitude” we achieved at camp would not be forgotten as we return to our daily lives.

What is the LCF Youth Group Excited About?

By Ryan Freed

 

· Meeting together every Sunday night

· Studying the book of Revelation

· Finding our spiritual gifts with the help of the SHAPE book

· Taking turns leading the lesson, planning games, and bringing snack

· Going on a mission trip with Group Workcamps, June 10-16

· Ministering on the trip in Monroe, Louisiana through various community service opportunities

· Planning some skits to perform at Conference at Jonathan Alder in July

We're counting down our final weeks in North America - and our hearts skip a beat whenever we look at our calendar. Our priorities at this point are: spending time with our families, getting some final orientation from RMM, and finishing out our "Ohio lives" by packing, ending Tom's job, and saying goodbye to our friends here. We recently spent a week with Candice's family and are looking forward to spending the second week in July with Tom's family. After that we do a couple of church programs in Delaware and then have an RMM orientation from July 19-22. The annual conference is the following weekend, and after that we plan to finish packing (with the help of our parents) and then leave Ohio for good (or at least 3 years) on August 5. We'll spend a week in Virginia, a week in Delaware, and then at noon on August 23 we'll get on an airplane at JFK Airport in New York. About 16 hours later we'll get off the plane in Bangkok and after that only God knows what will happen!

We already miss you, our church family at LCF. We've missed a lot of Sundays and will certainly miss your fellowship and spiritual support when we're in Thailand. We appreciate your prayers for our remaining time in the States and for the transition to Thailand. Please pray for our housing arrangements in Thailand, for good early connections with our neighbors, and for our emotional health and family relationships during the next few months.

The Mast Family Prepares for Take-off

By Tom & Candice Mast

 

To our new parents:

· Ryan & Kris Freed on the birth of their 2nd daughter, Glory Joy, born on May 23. She weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces.

· Kyle & Heather Kanagy on the birth of their 2nd daughter, Hannah Grace, born on May 31. She weighed 7 pounds and 13 ounces.

 

To our new grandparents:

· Steve & Phyllis Swartz—their son David and his wife Lisa welcomed twin boys, Andrew and Jonathan Weaver Swartz, on Tuesday, March 21. Both babies weighed 5 pounds, 11 ounces.

· Tom & Lois Reninger—their daughter Angie and her husband Brad had a baby boy, Elijah Bradley Nichol on April 15. He weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces.

Stats

From January 1 to May 31, 2006

· Average attendance: 99

· Average offering: $2261.09

 

Congrats

 

To our graduates:

· Samuel Montrose graduated from Madison Plains High School

· Ira Sairs graduated from London High School

· Keith Scheffel received his Masters in Business from Edinburgh Business School

Don’t Miss Conference 2006!

Saturday Evening

Drama

Written and directed by Vicki Saris

Put on by:

Jared Stutzman, Ryan Freed, Becky Hostetler, Molly Rosati, Shaun & Joy Freed and Daniel Zigler Jr.

Special sessions

for men, women and youth

Delicious meals

Special Music

Sunday morning

Children’s Choir

directed by Jared Stutzman

For all this and much more...come to Conference 2006 which will be held at the Jonathan Alder High School July 27-30. Program brochures with more details are available on the table in the foyer or visit www.cmcrosedale.org

August 26, 2006

 

By Rob Swartz, Lead Pastor

 

We are preparing for our 2nd annual Family Fun Day on August 26th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and I would like to encourage you all to mark it on your calendars.  Thanks again to all of you who helped last year!  We had great participation from LCF for this event.  Tom & Lois Reninger will be giving leadership to the event this year so I would encourage you to lend them your support and any ideas you may have for this year.

 

Family Fun Day is what we call a “community connection event”.  The purpose of this day is to express Christ's love to our community.  We hope to breakdown any walls or preconceived ideas about what Christians are like or what church is like.  We hope and pray that this event will lead to open doors in the future to share the good news of Jesus.

 

I would ask you to consider doing three things: 

(1) Pray that God will use this event for his purposes. 

(2) Invite all of your friends and neighbors.

(3) Participate by coming for a fun time and helping with various activities.

July 2                 Frisbee golf & picnic at RBC, 4:00 p.m.

July 9                 Communion, 6:30 p.m.

July 23               Commissioning for the Mast Family

                          followed by a potluck meal

July 27-30        Conservative Mennonite Conference

August 26         Family Fun Day

September 8-9  Revolve Tour conference for youth girls

September 29 - October 1        Annual Church Camp-out at Camp Clifton

 

 

Upcoming  Events