If you are a member or friend of Christ Church who receives the paper version
of the Reporter through the mail yet you read all of your CUMC news online, we can
cancel that paper subscription for you - conserving paper and saving money. Simply email Helen Seese at the church (membercare@christumc.net) and ask her to remove you from the Reporter mailing list. Be sure to give her your name and address.

All That I Am                                                                                      Duane Thompson

Mother's Day Brunch

Enjoy Mother’s Day with your church family on May 11th! The United Methodist Women will be sponsoring a Mother's Day Brunch, with Chef Gary providing the delicious food. Brunch will be available following the 9:30 & 11 a.m. services. The charge will be $11/adults, $5/children. (Same price as last year!) Please make reservations on the blue bulletin insert or by calling the church office.
Proceeds will go toward UMW outreach projects. Come to enjoy great food and excellent company.

Flower Sale

Hanging baskets and mixed flats of spring flowers will be on sale for $12 in the Social Garden on Mother's Day, May 11, during brunch! Proceeds benefit UMW missions.

Wear Red for Pentecost

Pentecost was an event of such overwhelming emotion that it could only be described by those who experienced it as "the rush of a mighty wind" and "tongues of fire" (Acts 2:2-3). It is considered the festival commemorating the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church, and an extended season for reflecting on how God's people live under the guidance of his spirit. This Sunday, May 11th, is Pentecost Sunday. You are invited to wear something bright red as a symbol and witness to the day.

Spaghetti Sauce Sale

Round Table Ministries presents: Spaghetti Sauce Take-Out! Pre-order meat or marinara sauce by the quart ($6) and pick your order up between services on May 18th. Orders must be made by Wednesday, May 14th - place your orders through the church office.

Communion

Over the course of the next few weeks, Christ Church will return to using pita and loaves of bread in communion services. Gluten-free wafers will be available at all communion services for those who need them.

Food Collection for SHIM

Sharing the Dream

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

“Children and Youth Ministry” was the topic for our second "A Closer Look" Wednesday evening session. Discussion centered on the importance of these ministries not only for our children and youth but for future generations. We talked about the everyday challenges families face in keeping their children/youth involved, and the importance of making sure our programs are current and relevant. Some of the youth were present and shared with us that in addition to fellowship, local mission opportunities are very important to them. We also looked at the real needs these ministry areas have such as transportation, volunteers, and more and updated spaces. Be sure to sign up to attend the remaining "A Closer Look" sessions. Your input is important! These have proven to be fun and insightful evenings.

Click here for more information about "Sharing the Dream" meetings and survey results.

Phone Volunteers Needed

Christ Church is looking for volunteers to make phone calls to set up greeters for the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service. (The call list is already pre-established so there’s no cold-calling!) This would involve about two hours of your time per month and can be done from the comfort of your home. If you can help, please call Carri Reda at the church (412) 835-6621, ext. 22.

Ambridge Area Steel Drum Band

The Ambridge Area Steel Drum Band is coming to Christ Church on Saturday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m.! Tickets are $10/adults; $5/students, and may be purchased in advance at the church office or at the door.

The Ambridge Area High School Steel Drum Band, under the direction of Mr. Todd Hartman, has received local & national recognition for its outstanding musical ability, unique style, and infectious energy. Since its inception in 1988, the steel drum program has grown from five students to ninety. Their current repertoire reflects a strong commitment to present a diverse collection of styles including traditional calypso, swing, Latin-jazz, classical, popular, and rock.

A reception in the Otterbein Room will follow the concert .

Habitat for Humanity

Help flip someone's house! On Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, we will head out in the morning to help Habitat for Humanity build a house for a family in our community. Sign up on the blue bulletin insert, or call the church office (412) 835-6621 if interested. Space is limited. Please sign up early.

REEL Sanctuary

REEL Sanctuary meets next on Saturday, May 17 to see "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian". REEL Sanctuary is a ministry that combines watching films with discussions about their spiritual implications. Its main purpose is to encourage spiritual discernment in and through the main storytelling medium of our time. To get on the e-mail list for REEL Sanctuary information, including place and time of the movie, contact Karyn Miller at the church (ext. 46); or by e-mail: reelsanctuary@yahoo.com

Help Wanted

Christ Church in looking for a part-time Sexton for weekends and vacation fill-in. If you are interested, please contact Jim Stewart, Director of Facilities, at (412) 835-6621, x 49.

Classes at Christ Church

Click here to see a listing of our class offerings, then plan to join us for an individual class, a class series, a dinner, fun!

Meet our Lay Leaders

Lay Leaders, appointed by the Church’s Lay Leadership Committee (formerly known as the Nominating Committee) share with the pastors, church staff, and other church leaders responsibility for guiding the congregation toward effective ministry.They serve on various committees and build awareness within the congregation of the different opportunities to grow in discipleship. Our Lay Leaders also serve as advocates for and representative of the laity. Both Marie and Henry want to represent you well and are available to talk with you either in person or by telephone. Marie will be available in the Otterbein Room Sunday May 18 and June 8 between the Sunday morning worship services. And Henry will be available after the 6 p.m. service on Sunday, May 18. Join them for conversation - or just stop in and introduce yourself!

WNAC Classes and Dinners

Wednesday Nights at Church (WNAC) have children’s choirs, adult classes, dinner and Kids Connect Club. In addition, worship opportunities will include: Taizé Sung Prayers on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm. And the Communion and Healing Service on the other three Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Click here for information about Children's Wednesday Night programming and Kids Connect (Sunday School).

Click here to see a listing of our class offerings, then plan to join us for an individual class, a class series, a dinner, fun!

Dinner is served with open seating between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. The cost is just $6/adults, $3 for children 12 and under, and free for children 3 and under. There is an $18 maximum per family. Click here for weekly menus. Join us on Wednesday nights - a great time for everyone!

Parents: Out of respect for others who are dining or attending a class, and for your child's safety, please keep children off of the stage in the Christian Life Center, away from the pond in the Social Garden, and from running through the church halls.

Christ Church Web Site

Did you know that you are reading a page on the Christ Church website right now? Just click here and you'll be on the home page! Or, if you go to the top of this page you can navigate through the site - a good place to start is the link at the top left that says "home". On our site you will find so much more than what is on this page or in the paper Reporter or worship bulletin - check it out!

Music on the Hill 2007 - 2008 Concert Series

Click here for information about upcoming concerts!

CUMC Welcomes New Associates

On July 1, 2008, Christ Church will have a new Minister for Congregational Care: Rev. Cynthia K. Schneider.

Cindy is currently the co-pastor, with a team of pastors, serving the French Creek Valley Cooperative Parish in the Erie-Meadville District. She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University, with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology, and from Wesley Theological Seminary, in Washington, D.C., with a Master's of Divinity degree.

Before her calling into the ministry, Cindy was engaged in a successful twenty-year career in Information Systems, Engineering and Data Processing with Fortune 500 and privately owned companies.

Rev. Schneider has always had a passion for the pastoral care of the members of her congregations wherever she has served. She also has a passion for missions and outreach ministries, both on the local level and around the world. She traveled to South Africa as part of a missions immersion program while at Wesley Seminary.

Cindy is a native of Western Pennsylvania. She was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and has two grown children: a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons in Greenville, PA, and a son and daughter-in-law, both of whom are currently captains in the U.S. Air Force (having graduated from the Air Force Academy), and stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, as pilots of C17s.

Cindy comes highly recommended from the Bishop and Cabinet, and we warmly welcome her to the Christ Church family.
 

Also this summer, Christ Church warmly welcomes Rev. Bill Beatty (pictured with his wife, Lori) as our Minister for the Seeker Initiative and Emerging Ministries. Bill comes from 6 years as Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Warren, PA, and previously 5 years as Senior Pastor at the Brockport UM Charge. At First UMC, Bill was the youth director, created and led the contemporary worship service and started an active young adult coffeehouse ministry in the community. He has a B.S. in English (Education minor) from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and received his Masters of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1998.

Bill and Lori have been married for 16 years and have two girls, Rachel (7) and Eliana (4). Welcome!

Help for Nyadire

 Please use the special Nyadire offering envelope included in the May offering packet for a life-saving donation for the United Methodist Mission at Nyadire, Zimbabwe. You will become a
"virtual teammate" for the three missions trips traveling to Zimbabwe this year.

Experience Taizé

The next Taizé Healing Service is Wednesday, June 4th at 7 pm in the Sanctuary.

The Taizé Healing Service at Christ Church consists of beautifully peaceful and spiritually calming prayer songs, silence, meditation, anointing of oils, and prayers for healing and reconciliation. The prayer songs, sung over and over again like a mantra, are often drawn from scripture and sung in different languages. No sermons; no announcements. Candles are the only form of light – symbolic of the light Christ brings into our dark world.

Please join us for our Taizé service at 7 pm on the first Wednesday of every month.

A Celebration for Tom and Nancy

We will celebrate the ministry of Tom and Nancy Funka, who have served Christ Church for 13 years and the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church for 38 years, on Wednesday, June 18th. Join them and your church family for dinner as we express our thanks and wish them well as they begin their retirement in their new home. Appetizers will be served at 5:45 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. RSVP to the church office - space is limited. The cost for the dinner is: $8/ adult and $4/ children.

Traveling with the Bishop

Western PA United Methodists and friends can now sign up for a trip with Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton to sites on the Apostle Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey. Departing November 12 by air from New York City, the 11-day trip includes eight days on a chartered cruise ship. Stops include Athens, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Malta, Sicily and Corinth. Two more trips also coming up: 2009 to Alaska and 2010 to Oberammergau. Call Brenda Thompson for information: 724-260-0296.

Looking Ahead to Summer

AHOY, ME HEARTIES! Plan now to attend Vacation Bible School, July 21-25, and learn how you can be a true hero for God. A lot of adult and youth help will be needed.
APPLICATIONS for Choir Tour and Work Camp are due. For those who have already registered, Second payments are now due.
SUMMER CAMP brochures are available on the Information Tables. Check out the great camping opportunities at Jumonville, Allegheny and Wesley Woods camps.
Looking for a Christian Family Vacation?  Check out Jumonville’s Family Week, July 26 – Aug. 2.  Brochures are on the Information Table at church.

Financial Giving Statements

In order to be better stewards of paper and postage, we are now sending out quarterly statements via email. If you haven't done so already, please fill out a yellow card indicating if you would like to have your quarterly statements emailed to you. You can find the cards on the information tables and at the Welcome Center. Please note that statements are sent four times a year, either by e-mail or regular mail. All year-end statements will be sent by regular mail.

Upcoming Events

This page represents the information that is published in the weekly paper Reporter. But there is a lot more going on at Christ Church! Click here for a listing of our upcoming events.

 Announcements

Jr. and Sr. Highs will not meet this Sunday (May 11) - Happy Mother’s Day!

May 13 Youth Recreation, CLC, 6-7:30 pm, Join resident game master, Josh Elders, for an hour of fun just because you can. A perfect opportunity to play and introduce a friend to Christ Church!

We have Jr. High, Sr. High and Parent e-mail lists that currently go out. Don't be clueless anymore! Be informed. Be aware. Be on the email list. Send a message to Gregg Stierheim at youthdirector@christumc.net to be included.

Single Adult Ministries: Monday night classes meet at 7 pm. Brunch Bunch, May 4, 1 p.m. at El Campesino, (Water Dam Centre) 4175 Washington Road, McMurray. Contact Susan Sotak at 412-722-4516 for more details. www.christumc.net has all SAM details!

MOMS: for Moms of babies & toddlers: Tuesdays at 9:15 am in the Library.

MOM’s 2 for Moms with school-age children: Moms 2 meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 9:45 to 11 am.
 

Single Adult Ministries: (See article above) Monday night classes meet at 7 pm. Go to www.christumc.net for details about all SAM classes and events.

Stretch and Strengthen meets Mondays & Thursdays from 9-10 am in room G104. Increase your flexibility & tone your muscles. Questions? Call Helen at ext. 17. (NO CLASS 1/21)

Ink Cartridge Recycling: Please continue to assist with this important program by depositing your computer ink cartridges in the containers located at the harvest tables. (No laser cartridges please.)

Taizé Healing Service - May 7 at 7 pm in the Sanctuary: The Taizé Service offers a Sabbath moment refocusing our hearts and minds in the midst of a busy and noisy world. Enjoy the peace our candlelit sanctuary offers, listen to the beauty of simple songs and experience the depth of quiet prayer.

Beyond the Walls (Our worship service on Ch. 7): Peters Township: Sun., 3 pm; USC: Mon., 7 pm, Wed., 11 am; Bethel Park: Sat., 6:30 pm, Wed., 9 am. In the city of Pittsburgh on Comcast Cable Channel 95: Monday-Friday 11am, Monday-Sunday 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday 2 pm. Also throughout southwestern PA at any time on Comcast Digital Cable, through Comcast On Demand.(Video tapes & DVD’s are also in the Hahne Library.)

- This week's worship services - click here

- Weekly Calendar - click here

- To read Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church news online via the Interlink, click here, then click on "news" in the left column of the home page.

- To read national United Methodist news online via the United Methodist Reporter Interactive, click here.

To go to the Christ Church Homepage - click here