What's New at EACC

EACC’s CORE VALUES
At a meeting attended by 47 of our members on June 16, Rev. Jim Oates of the Ohio Conference led us in determining what our “core values” are. These are not our basic beliefs – worship, prayer, faith – but those attributes that make us who and what we are. We were asked to choose from a list of 81 possible values, and to select not those that describe us as we would like to be, but the ones that describe us as we actually are. Slowly, as a group, we narrowed down the 81 to these 10: acceptance, children, community, equality, family, friendship, heritage, mission, past, and spirituality.
Rev. Oates urged us to pray for discernment as we consider how to reduce this list still further. We will be meeting again to talk about our core values on Wednesday, July 14, at the church offices at 9411 Euclid. Refreshments will be served at 6:30PM and the discussion will begin at 7:00.

WE ARE INVITED...
Those EACC members who have volunteered as shoppers, cooks, servers, or clean-up crew at our Fifth Monday Meals have received the following invitation:
Dear Hardworking Community Meals Volunteer:
You are cordially invited to the Community Meals Volunteer Summer Potluck Picnic! Please join us on Monday August 9, 6 PM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (2747 Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Heights OH 44106). If the weather is nice we will be gathering in front of the church.
Celebrate summer at this potluck picnic for Community Meals volunteers. Meet  fellow volunteers from the 18 congregations of different religious backgrounds who together served over 5,000 people in 2009. Please note that this picnic does not occur during a free community meal.
This is a potluck so please bring your favorite summer dish to pass. InterAct Cleveland will provide drinks and paper products. Please forward this invitation to other meal volunteers. Feel free to invite your family, friends, and neighbors.
Please RSVP to Toni by August 1 at tsacco@interactcleveland.org or (216) 241-0230. Thank you to Kirby and St. Paul’s for hosting us.
Hope to see you there!

MORE INTERACT NEWS
In the most recent issue of InterActions, the InterAct newsletter, an entire article is devoted to our church and its participation in the InterAct Community Meals project. “We gathered at Euclid Avenue Congregational Church in mid-March to celebrate the positive impact of his year’s Homeless Stand Down,” the article begins. “Yet just over a week later the unthinkable happened...Later that day [that EACC burned down] I received a phone call from Community Meals Volunteer Leader Cloggie Crowder who said that despite the tragedy, they would serve their regularly scheduled community meal the following Monday. Bravely, they showed up hours before the meal to prepare from scratch a delicious and nutritious dinner for 80 people, including table decorations…We honor the members of the Euclid Avenue Congregational Church as volunteer stars.”
InterActions also invites us to attend “A Taste that’s Divine,” held at 7PM on July 27 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd. Participants will sample a variety of foods offered by Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Wiccan and Sikh traditions, and hear a panel discussion by leaders in some of these faith communities. For more information call
216-241-0230.

GOODBYE, MR. CLARK!
Ernie Clark, who has been EACC’s custodian since February of 2002, will put in his last day of work on July 10. Then at a party after worship on July 11 we will celebrate his years of service and wish him good luck on his retirement.

Ernie started out as a member of a cleaning crew that took care of our building at East 96th and Euclid. He was hired as our custodian and soon became our plumber, electrician, carpenter, security guard, and whatever else was needed of him. He became a church spokesperson when he stood watching the building he had taken care of for nine years burn down, and a TV camera was turned on him. “The front doors were on fire,” he remembers now. “It looked like that scene out of ‘Gone with the Wind’ when Atlanta is burning. I couldn’t believe it. In a way I still can’t believe it.”

Ernie is going to be moving to Greenville, Mississippi, to be with his mother and other family members. He will be returning to Cleveland during the summer months, but not the winter ones! He plans to spend his retirement playing golf, going to the casinos, watching TV and relaxing.
When asked what was the best thing about working at EACC, he says “Meeting the members. They became like members of my family.” There was no worst thing, except saying goodbye to the members who died. He misses them. “Especially Johnnie Mitchell.”
“The time I spent at the church was some of the most rewarding of my life,” he says. “I’m moving to Mississippi, but I’ll be back. I’m not a lost soul. I’ll never forget this church, never.”
 

WHAT’S GOING ON?
A congregational forum held after worship on Sunday, June 27, gave members the opportunity to ask questions about the progress the church is making in deciding what and where our new church home will be. Here are a few of the questions and answers:

What about our temporary church home at 30th and Euclid? Is it adequate? Does the insurance pay for its rental? The insurance covers the cost of our temporary home up to a limit of $500,000. The congregation needs to decide if they think the temporary space we are renting is adequate.

Do we have architects and contractors working on a new building? First we need to find out what the final figure for the insurance settlement will be.

Has anyone decided yet if we will be rebuilding at 9606 Euclid or somewhere else? Not yet, but when this decision is made it will be a congregational decision, not a Ministry or COM (Council of Ministries) decision.

How will this decision be made? We actually have four choices: to rebuild at 9606 Euclid, to rebuild at another location, to merge with another church or to renovate an existing vacant church. A committee to work on making that decision will be chosen, and then the final decision taken to the entire congregation for a paper vote.

Do we have a timeline? It will probably take 3 ½-4 years to engage an architect to determine our needs, get his/her design and negotiate changes, receive his/her working drawings and budget and further negotiate changes, then get the actual building built. The Insurance Board gives us only 2 years to go through this process, but is open to extensions. We do need to demonstrate progress, however.

Were demolition costs covered by the insurance? Yes. It looks like the total bill will be $290,000.
Have we had any indications from Cleveland Clinic that they want to buy our property at 9606 Euclid? There have been no conversations with the Clinic on this subject, but we are certain that they do want to buy that property. Currently they are maintaining it. They have agreed to seed it and keep it mowed. We still have several parking spaces and can continue to use them.
What progress has the Pastoral Search Committee made towards finding a new pastor? They have been meeting frequently and diligently and while they cannot yet tell us when they will have chosen a candidate, they are closer than they have ever been.

How much insurance will we receive and when will we receive it? To date we have received $4 million. Depending on several factors the final amount may be anywhere from $6 to $8 million. The decision should be reached within two months.

Should we be hiring a consultant to help us make some of these difficult decisions? That’s up to the congregation, but it could be most helpful.

The meeting ended with Moderator Dean Sieck concluding that there seems to be a sense of urgency among members for us to start making some of these important decisions about our future, and also to evaluate our temporary space. He will meet with Al Parks and Calvin Humphrey, co-chairs of COM, and Pastor Terri to come up with a master plan and a recommendation for COM. It was agreed that we will hold another similar congregational forum before September, maybe several of them, in order to keep the membership informed.

NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY
Our church directory is being updated and will soon be printed. Please take a look at the most recent one (dated 2010) and make sure all the information about you and your family is correct. Turn in to the church office any known corrections to addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers for inclusion. Please submit your email address for inclusion in the church’s online database. The deadline will be Friday, July 9. The new directory will be printed on Wednesday, July 14.

Flowers and Liturgists Needed
If you would like to donate flowers or be a liturgist, please use the sign-up sheet during fellowship hour or call Carolyn Smith or the church office. You may take the flowers home following worship or give them to someone if you wish. At this time we do not have materials for wrapping the flowers to distribute them, so that will be your responsibility.

GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE QUESTIONNAIRE
Thie questionnaire is being sent to all members of the church.  Its purpose is to evaluate the governance structure which has been in place since 2005.  It should be mailed to the church office at 9411 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, 44106 or given to either Co-Chair of the COM, Calvin Humphrey or Al Parks.  The deadline is August 2, 2010.  The COM thanks you for your participation in this evaluation process.
Questionnaire Regarding the Effectiveness of the Current Governance Structure of Euclid Avenue Congregational Church Since the 2005 constitution was adopted, EACC has operated with the following structure:
  • 5 Ministries of 7 elected members each
  • 2 co-chairs elected from within each Ministry
  • Co-chairs from each Ministry serve on the Council of Ministries (COM) in addition to the Moderator
    and the Minister, who has voice but no vote
  • The co-chairs of COM and its secretary are elected from within its membership
  • Some committees report to a given Ministry; others report to the COM
  • Ministry members serve a three-year term
In the past five years, it has been unofficially reported that, based on their experience with this structure, members of the church have suggestions for change arising from their objections to this current structure.The Council of Ministries is inviting any and all members of EACC to share their concerns and thoughts about the structure in the questionnaire.

UPDATE FROM THE PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE
During the last 15 months the search committee has met frequently, (sometimes as often as once a week) doing the work it was charged with by the congregation in March, 2009.
With the help of information from the numerous questionnaires the members of EACC completed, we developed a profile of EACC to share with potential candidates. Since November we have screened numerous profiles of ordained clergy, contacted telephone references, conducted telephone interviews, watched and listened to sample sermons, and, in the case of a few individuals, conducted in-person interviews.

Since April we have had discussions about what additional qualities our new pastor must have to successfully lead our community. And our work continues.

Each member of the committee has a distinct voice, representing the range of diversity within EACC. With these voices and combined wisdom, we intend to find the one candidate whose skills, experience and style will lead EACC into the next phase of its rich history and promising future.
Adrienne Brockway, Chair
Pastoral Search Committee

RESTORE CLEVELAND HOPE
“Reclaiming History, Restoring Hope,” a program sponsored by Restore Cleveland Hope on May 23, was well attended by EACC members who came to learn more about the history of our church, as well as listen to the Robert Plater Gospel Choir under the leadership of Joan Bacon. Fran Stewart, a Restore Cleveland Hope board member, told us about the collaboration of blacks and whites, many of whom were Fords and Cozads from Euclid Avenue Congregational Church, in helping escaped slaves get to freedom in Canada. Descendants of those brave abolitionists were honored by Restore Cleveland Hope President Joan Southgate, as was Ginny Becker, who has been an EACC member for 94 years, and Charlene Higginbotham, representing her mother Armentha Nesbitt, one of the original Cozad-Bates House supporters and defenders. A freewill offering was taken, $100 of which was given to Euclid Avenue Congregational Church.

VISIT FROM DR. COSGROVE
Dr. Toby Cosgrove, CEO of the Cleveland Clinic, came to the office to see Pastor Terri and others and to ask how we were getting along since the fire. We expressed our thanks for the use of the former bank space as a temporary church office. He asked if we had made plans for the future. Pastor Terri told him briefly about our upcoming program of examining core values and who we are and what we do as a church. It was a very friendly courtesy call, indicating the Clinic’s interest in our future.

Meet our New Members

Linda Huston joined EACC on Sunday, May 23. She is a Clevelander from way back; both her mother and her grandfather were born in this city. She lives in the University Circle area and works at the Cleveland Clinic, where she is a nurse in the epilepsy unit. She has three grown children and one grandson, and they all live in town. In her free time she likes to cook and to travel. Her most recent trip was a cruise of the Southern Caribbean; her most exciting trip was to London and Paris in September of 2001. She was in Paris during 9/11 and was stuck there for 4 days, trying to get home. She started attending EACC when she couldn’t get off work long enough to make it to the Healing Services, so came on a Sunday morning instead. She felt comfortable right away and has been attending ever since.

Lonnie Woods also joined us on May 23. Lonnie is a Cleveland native who has been a child care provider all her life. She is the godmother to all the children you see her bringing to church with her every Sunday. “It takes a neighborhood to raise kids,” she says, “and I’ve been loving and caring for kids for years and years. I have kids who are in their 40’s.” She enjoys interior decorating and cooking. She found EACC through a friend, and hit it off right away with Pastor Terri. She felt immediately that EACC was where God wanted her and her children to be. “Nobody’s perfect,” she says, “but I know that all of the people at Euclid Avenue Congregational Church really believe in God.”

Report on the fire by Michael A. Odum,
Battalion Chief The Fire Investigation Unit, OIC

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TIME CAPSULES AND OTHER STORIES,
by Dean Seick, moderator

Easter Balloon Returns Report

INSURANCE SETTLEMENT

On Thursday, May 20, the first meeting was held between EACC and our insurance carrier. Members of EACC in attendance were John Baker, Nancy Nigosian, Tony Stevenson, and Charles Williams of the Settlement Committee; John Peterson, EACC Financial Manager; Pastor Terri; and Dean Sieck, Moderator. Also in attendance were Joe Boyd and Karl Kotheimer of our insurance carrier, United Church Insurance Board (UCIB); David Gabor, Jack Owens, and Mike Vujica, independent adjusters representing Lexington and Lloyds of London, who carry most of our insurance; and Rick Taft, the attorney representing EACC in our claim. David Buckle, also a member of the Settlement Committee, was unable to attend.

The purpose of the meeting was for all parties to meet, understand the process that lies before us, and lay out the various dimensions of coverage that apply to the loss of our building. The process is complicated because the nature of our insurance is complicated. EACC is not insured by one company. Our coverage by the UCIB is layered, so that no one entity carries the bulk of the loss. Of the $6.485 million in total coverage on our building, $500,000 is actually born by the UCIB’s reserves, while the balance is the responsibility of the two primary carriers mentioned above. In addition to the basic coverage, there is additional coverage which may apply if we are able to substantiate that the actual replacement value of our building is more than the total coverage. As a result, the total settlement could exceed the $6.485 million figure by a considerable sum.

During the meeting, all of the designated aspects of coverage within the total limits of liability were discussed. Next steps in this process will include determining the actual amount that it would cost to rebuild our building as it was. This will be negotiated between our representatives and Mr. Vujica, who has expertise in establishing the value of a building of that vintage. John Peterson brought to the meeting all of the forms that were filled out by members of the church, stating their recollections of contents throughout the building. John is currently working on establishing replacement costs for the items on those lists, and the Settlement Committee will review and approve the final replacement value of the contents.

Although the final settlement must wait for the entire process to conclude, partial payments may be made early. In fact, EACC has already received over $2,000,000. A check in that amount was handed to the moderator at a luncheon meeting attended by Pastor Terri and Dean Sieck in addition to another check for $199,000.00 (from the UCIB reserves) on Friday, May 14 at the United Church of Christ offices at 700 Prospect Avenue in Cleveland. (These were the actual checks referred to on May 16 at a ceremonial presentation during our worship service attended by Rev. Randy Hyvonen, former pastor of EACC and a longtime member of the UCIB and other Insurance Board guests). Both of those checks were rushed to Key Bank and deposited in person into a special account set up by the Investment Committee with the advice of Key Bank. The name of that account is “Euclid Avenue Congregational Church Insurance Proceeds.” Arrangements were also made between the bank and Lloyds of London representatives at the May 20 meeting to have an additional check for $2,000,000 wired to that account from London, England. These deposits will enable EACC to purchase the furniture, office equipment, and computers necessary to maintain business as usual at the church offices at 9411 Euclid Avenue.

Any members of EACC with questions about any of these arrangements should feel free to approach any of the individuals in attendance at the May 20 meeting. It is the role of United Church Insurance Board personnel to act as advocates for our congregation with our insurance carriers. Those in attendance felt confident in this relationship.

GIVING & FINANCIAL NEWS

Among the hundreds of cards, phone calls and other gestures of support following the devastating fire, there were also donations - many from strangers.  They came from individuals in Cleveland, throughout Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and California.  Among churches sending gifts were Faith UCC in Richmond Heights, Chagrin Falls Federated Church,  Immanuel UCC in St. Bernard, Ohio (Cincinnati), St. Johns UCC in Newport, Kentucky, and Buckland UCC (Wapakoneta).  Our own United Church of Christ headquartered downtown sent a generous $2,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing.  At last count these friends across the country had sent over $6,300 to help us at a time of need.  While others are helping, it is also truly amazing that our own EACC family continues its support.  As of April 18th members’ giving has exceeded our budget goal by 3%! Members who make purchases for the church please note that requisition forms are now available at both E. 30th Street after worship or at 9411 Euclid.  You may leave requests for payment in at 9411 Euclid or in the staff mailbox at E. 30th Street.

John Peterson,Finance Manager

PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE

In a 2009 letter to members, the search committee outlined the search and call process which is followed by the United Church of Christ. This update is to inform the congregation that the search committee has selected a small number of candidates for personal interviews. We expect this step in the process to be completed in the next few weeks.Following these interviews we will make arrangements for search committee members to worship with the candidates in a church setting
arranged by the Association office. These interviews have been enlightening to us. We are learning about the candidates, their skill sets and how our diverse congregation appears to them. In light of the
destruction of our church home, there is a change in the job requirements which are to lead us in listening to what God is asking our church to be and to shepherd us toward the establishment of a
permanent home. Our selected candidates say they are eager to accept the challenge.

We ask for your continued prayers as we move to the next step in the process.In this walk of faith and discernment we remain faithful to your charge, The Pastoral Search Committee

Adrienne Brockway, Chairperson
Mary Jane Cariens, Vice Chairperson
Charles Williams, Chaplain
John Merritt, Recorder
Eleanore Dees, Calvin Humphrey, Noreen Roderick,
Dean Sieck,
Nikolas Southgate.

THINGS TO DO, PEOPLE TO HELP, PLACES TO GOO

RECLAIMING HISTORY, RESTORING HOPE - MAY 23

Restore Cleveland Hope will be honoring Euclid Avenue Congregational Church and its abolitionist past on Sunday, May 23 at 3PM at University Circle United Methodist Church. In appreciation for the
support that EACC has given Restore Cleveland Hope through the years (including but not limited to the church providing free office space), RCH will be telling some of the stories about how the families who founded our church worked to end slavery, sometimes through open debate and sometimes through secret defiance as conductors on the Underground Railroad. Descendants of these families will be recognized, and the proud history of EACC will be honored, both in story and song.Please join us for this free community gathering. A freewill offering will be received, both for Restore Cleveland Hope and Euclid Avenue Congregational Church.University Circle United Methodist Church is located at 1919 East 107th Street. For more information contact Joan Southgate, John Baker
or Kathy Baker.

EACC IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR “CHARLES ORR” FAMILY

The very successful “Dolphin Depot” incentive program continues! The students earn “Dolphin Dollars” for such things as being on time to school, being in uniform and good behavior. They spend these dollars at the Dolphin Depot which is held every 2 weeks. EACC provides most of the items that the store “sells” and church members man the shopping tables. Cheryl Wacasey and her daughter Montana, Linda Brewer and Judy Sieck are regular “shop keepers.” John Merritt and Eleanore Dees have also been part of the Friday crew. Julia Haynes and Kathy Baker stepped forward last week as new recruits and were very helpful. For those of us who are there this is one of the best times we have
all week! Please join us! The stores in May are the 14th and 28th. We start at 2:15 and always end by 3:30. Please call Ann Drysdale with any questions (216-481-4778). Several of our church members have been tutoring third graders in preparation for their first state Achievement test. Dean Sieck was
one of those volunteers---he reports that it was fun as well as gratifying. The staff and teachers were welcoming and appreciative. Dean told me that he had never tutored students that young (he usually
teaches college students), but he said it was much the same---“you just teach them how to think”!
Ann Drysdale coordinator, Charles Orr project

THE INSTALLATION OF REV. GEOFFREY BLACK

A Service of Installation for the Rev. Geoffrey Black as President and General Minister of the UCC  was held on Saturday, April 17 at Federated, UCC in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. When I arrived that afternoon, one-half hour before the service, the sanctuary was just about filled to capacity. I managed to squeeze in a seat in the last row. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and anticipation as we marked the transition of the UCC’s seventh leader. Approximately 500 people were in attendance.   

The service began with all the symbolism and pageantry that I love about large gatherings of the UCC family. In the procession were a UCC Ensemble Choir consisting of members from many UCC churches, special soloist and musicians, representatives from Haiti, the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ and delegates from around the nation and world. Children sprinkled the congregation with water as an affirmation of baptism, The Rev. Arthur Cribbs (former member of EACC) preached the sermon emphasizing diversity and justice. The Rev. Davida Foy Crabtree, Connecticut conference minister, in giving the “charge” to Geoffrey stated “You have come to us for just such a time as this, when we need your leadership - your vigorous leadership.”

Read more about the installation week-end and the launching of the new UCC viral ad “the Language of God” by clicking on the UCC website. Installation information and booklets will be on display in the fellowship hall.

Charlene Higginbotham

EARTH DAY AT THE ZOO

The Church in the World Committee of the Western Reserve Association hosted a table on April 18th at the Earth Day celebration at the Cleveland Zoo to lift up the theme of “Eco Faith, creating and sustaining green congregations,” a new resource written by Charlene Hosenfeld and published by Pilgrim Press. We provided resources and examples of what churches could do to begin the process of “greening” their churches. Lots of folks stopped by our booth to pick up information and shared what they were doing or hoped to do to “green” their churches. We were thrilled that so many people recognized the UCC name/logo and shared stories of what they knew or wanted to know about the UCC.

I was surprised, encouraged and overwhelmed by the hundreds of people that turn out on a chilly, rainy, day to tour the many booths of eco friendly resources, items, educational information, products and learn more about being good stewards of our earth. The committee hopes to continue discussion with local churches in the Association on Eco- Faith. A copy of “Eco Faith” was given as a gift to Rev. Young.

Charlene Higginbotham

Messages of Concern and Consolation (click here to read them)

Additional items added on 4/29/2010

LIFE GOES ON

Fellowship hour after worship will continue – please email or phone Ann Drysdale is you are willing to bake cookies for this or future Sundays.
The Chancel Choir gathered at Tim’s house this past Thursday to practice Palm Sunday and Easter music.

The Fifth Monday Meal was served as scheduled at Calvary Presbyterian Church on March 29.
Sunday School, Adult Bible Study and Confirmation Classes will meet on Sunday mornings as they did previously.

Saturday Fun will be meeting on April 3 and 24, as previously announced.

Easter Sunday will include our traditional singing of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” followed by an outdoor balloon launch. To help with the balloons, please contact members of the Jerabek/Henderson/Nordstrom family.

The Woman’s Association will start meeting again as soon as they can round up enough sewing machines, fabric and a place to work.

Prayer and Healing Services will resume in the Cleveland Clinic Chapel at a new time, 12:45.

Ministries and committees will continue to meet at the times indicated on the calendar in this Beacon. Any necessary changes will be noted in the church blog and also in announcements on Sunday mornings.

THANK YOUs

- to the community, to all of you, to all of us, but especially to the team who in one day pulled together a plan for our immediate future. We thank them for the following gifts and for so much more:

Terri Young – for the absolutely right words of comfort and consolation at our worship service Tuesday evening at Mt. Zion UCC
Al Parks – for his calm demeanor in the face of crisis
Diana Reid – for managing the church office from afar without files or equipment
John Peterson – for backing up the church financial files and saving them on his home computer
Dean Sieck – for making level-headed decisions while his heart was breaking
Tim Robson – for the blog that will keep us all connected.

 FINANCIAL AND GIVING RECORDS SAVED FROM FIRE

Our Financial Manager, John Peterson, wants everyone to know that our computer finance and contribution records were backed up before the fire and are safe.  The saved financial records go back to 1999 and we have every member’s contribution record as far back as 1997.
These records are now on John’s home computer.  They are backed up each week and the backup is kept at a different location. 
As soon as checks arrive we will be back in business!

MEMORIES OF EUCLID AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH SAFELY STORED AT WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

CLEVELAND, OH – In the aftermath of the tragic loss of the historic Euclid Avenue Congregational Church this week, some solace may be found at Western Reserve Historical Society where hundreds of records documenting church history are safely stored and available to the public.

The WRHS Library/Archives & Genealogy Center has been the official repository for the Church archives since 1973. The extensive holdings date from 1822 through the 1990s and comprise over 60 containers of manuscripts, photographs, publications and ephemera.

The collections include the administrative and financial history of the church; sacramental, genealogy, baptism and marriage records; and photographs of church founders, members, activities and the Euclid Avenue building as well as mission churches in other Cleveland neighborhoods including Hough. The collection details the activities and motivation that led to the founding and early history of the church in the mid-19th Century. It also illustrates early Western Reserve history, including details of prominent families in Cleveland such as Cozad, Mather, and Ford. 

The Church’s association with the East End neighborhood, the home of the Cozad, Bates and Ford families, made it a central player in the 19th century struggle for abolition, a cause many church members supported. Similarly, the Church was sensitive to, and active in accommodating racial change in Cleveland in the post-World War II period.

“These are much more than simply church records,” said WRHS Vice President & Krieger-Mueller Historian Dr. John Grabowski. “They are documents that relate to major and transcendent issues in American history during the past 170 years.”

Having these records in our library at this historic and sad time for the city of Cleveland illustrates perfectly the importance of the Western Reserve Historical Society in preserving our community history for current and future generations, according to WRHS President & CEO Dr. Gainor B. Davis. “These are the types of records that we must preserve to fulfill our duty and mission,” she said. “Places of worship are integral to the founding and growth of communities. Knowing why they were formed, by whom, and how they contributed to the community teaches us our roots and lends inspiration for our future.”

The Euclid Avenue Congregational Church, part of the United Church of Christ, grew out of a Sunday school started in 1828 at Doan’s Corners by Sally Cozad Mather and associated with the “Plan of Union,” a cooperative church-founding effort between Presbyterians and Congregationalists. It organized as the First Presbyterian Church of East Cleveland in November 1843 and incorporated in 1847 with 62 members.  

The congregation met in homes and barns until a plain 2-story brick building was built in 1845 at Euclid Avenue and Doan Street (E. 105th). In February 1852 the church severed its connection with the presbytery and for a decade was known as the Independent Presbyterian Church. The congregation adopted the Congregational style of church government and, in 1862, became known as First Congregational Church of East Cleveland.  In 1867, a larger brick building of Ohio sandstone was built at Euclid and Logan Street (96th). Dedicated in 1868, it had a capacity of 600 and cost $25,000. The congregation numbered 109.  The name was changed to Euclid Avenue Congregational Church in 1872.  A Romanesque building of Ohio sandstone was dedicated on the same site, 9606 Euclid, in September 1887.

Euclid Avenue Congregational Church started four churches as missions, including Park Congregational, at Crawford and Hough avenues, and Lakeview Congregational, both ca. 1890.  Hough Avenue Congregational was merged into Euclid Avenue Congregational in 1934.  As the population of the surrounding neighborhood changed in the late 1940s and 1950s, the church decided against relocating in the suburbs.  Membership declined from a peak of 1200-1400 in the 1950s to 212 by 1995, but the church remained a viable multicultural institution, offering a wide variety of community outreach programs such as daycare, the Hough House Service Center, and a program for chemically dependent mothers. The church building was refurbished in the 1980s.

For a complete listing of the Euclid Avenue Congregational Church archives available at Western Reserve Historical Society, please visit our website at www.wrhs.org.
(Press release sent by the Western Reserve Historical Society)

HOMELESS STAND DOWN THANK YOUS

Our church was a major player in InterAct’s Homeless Stand Down in February and March. First of all, many members volunteered their time at one or more of the Stand Downs: Dean Sieck, Judy Sieck, Charlene Higginbotham, Noreen Roderick, Kathy Baker, Claude Brewer, John Merritt, Dave Buckle, Ann Drysdale, and church youth Amber Green, LaVera Hampton and Chris Sanders. Then one Saturday morning, the Saturday Fun kids with the help of Charlene Higginbotham and Cheryl Wacasey put together 50 personal care kits that were distributed at one of the Stand Downs. Later in the month Veronica Fullerton, Catherinlu Russell, Nancy Nigosian, Carolyn Smith, Linda Brewer and Cyndi Henderson made 50 bagged lunches to send away with Stand Down guests. Many church members contributed dollars, bus passes, hygiene items, and articles of warm clothing. And, finally, our church hosted, with the help of Ann Drysdale, Charles Williams, Charlene Higginbotham and Ernie Clark, about 60 Homeless Stand Down volunteers who came to EACC to celebrate.

The bottom line: more than 1500 Clevelanders who were experiencing homelessness this winter were given during the three days of the Stand Down warm clothing, hot meals, hygiene items, health screenings, haircuts, massages, advice and counseling, and best of all, many warm words and smiles. Thank you, EACC.

BIBLE BEE APRIL 11

Come cheer on our Church School kids in our first Bible Bee, to be held after worship on April 11. Grades 3 through 7 will be participating. This will be a chance for the children to show off what they’ve learned. A list of vocabulary words and Bible story questions (to refresh their memories) are available ahead of time from Robyn Nordstrom or Bob Henderson. We hope you will encourage your children to participate, and that you’ll be in the cheering section, whether your kids are among the participants or not, on April 11th. They are ALL our kids!

HOW WILL YOU PREPARE FOR EASTER?

There are a multitude of opportunities for you to prepare yourself enumerated in this newsletter. Please consider lending your hands as well as your hearts to at least one of these programs if you are asked to be a reader, or to sit watch at the vigil, or to prepare dinner, or to serve communion or to help blow up balloons on Easter morning at 8:30 AM. Your participation will surely make your experience richer.

NEW STEPS FOR THE VAN

The church van (which, by the way, suffered no ill effects from the fire) has been fitted with a retractable step that will make it easier to get in and out.  The step automatically activates when the door is opened.  Dave Buckle coordinated this important improvement with help from the Stewardship Ministry which approved memorial funds for the project.  The steps are dedicated to all our past riders.

IMPORTANT NOTICES FROM THE INTERIM PASTOR THANKS ARE IN ORDER!

Oh, my. The Beacon editors asked for a small sampling of the wishes, greetings, offers of help to publish in the Beacon and it is impossible. I have been overwhelmed by offers and support from all over the USA and overseas, from former members, from former parishioners and colleagues of mine, from my family, from people who do not know us and yet sympathize with us, from Catholics in the city who are also losing or have lost their houses of worship due to closings by the Diocese, from our Congresswoman, Marcia Fudge...over 300 emails so far and more to open. Feel the love and the support, Church Family!

Thanks to the brave staff who have been working non stop since the fire, thanks to the Moderator and the Co-chairs of C.O.M. who have put in hours of meeting time and made decisions on behalf of you. (The “Fire Crew” as I affectionately call them, the co-chairs of C.O.M., the Moderator, the Financial Manager and the Interim Pastor plan to go into full retirement at the up-coming C.O.M. meeting, April 7th.)
Thanks to the Western Reserve Association who has been fully present and fully supportive through all of this. They attended our worship service on March 23rd, have forwarded emails, delivered phone messages, fielded requests, secured a $2,000, grant from OGHS. They have organized a delegation from every church in the WRA to worship with us on Easter; they plan to fill the sanctuary at 30th and Euclid. Hurrah!

Thanks! Oh, thanks to the Cleveland Clinic, all those people with whom we have had relationships and contact over the past two years, from Dr. Cosgrove to Chaplain Dennis Kinney and many others, including patients and staff to whom we have offered pastoral care. They have offered us space and have been completely gracious to us during this crisis. Thank you, neighbor!

COLLEGE TOUR

Our youth who are participating in the Northern College Tour Event, sponsored by the Urban League of Greater Cleveland will be visiting Central State, Wilberforce, West Virginia State, Virginia State, Virginia Union, Norfolk, Hampton, Howard and several museums, from April 5 through April 10. Encouraged by Leon Bibb, many church members have contributed towards this event so that all of our youth who are interested in attending are able to go on this life-changing trip. Thank you, Leon, for organizing it, and thank you, Calvin Humphrey, as past President of the Urban League, for initiating this annual trip to traditionally black colleges many years ago. Have fun and learn a lot, EACC youth!

PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE

“26 Meetings??!!” “Is that possible?” “They’ve had 26 meetings, and they are just now reading applications?” “How could they have had 26 meetings?” “What have they been doing?”
Maybe this is a conversation between two members of EACC. Maybe it’s just an expression of some of the thoughts going through members’ minds.

We on the search committee recognize that the workings of our committee may be a bit mysterious to church members, and there may be many questions about what we do and why it takes so long. So we went back through all of our agendas to help us see what we’ve been up to, and we thought we’d share what we learned with others in the congregation. Of course, the specifics of our activities need to be confidential, but we decided to try to convey some idea of our work and perhaps clear up why it has taken to so long to get to this point.

First, imagine that you are gathering with a group of people you do not know extremely well to do a job you may never have done before that takes a great deal of careful work and clear communication—and you expect will take several months. You are doing work on behalf of many others who have a stake in the outcome, which is crucial to the future of the church. Of course, you also need to comply with the established requirements of the denominational system, so you need to learn it. You need to schedule meetings with eight others persons, all of whom have lives to live and busy schedules, and you need to find times to meet when all can attend.

Our first order of business was to assemble the church profile to be distributed to candidates who may be interested in becoming our settled pastor. To do that, we needed to gather a lot of material—some of it factual, perhaps statistical or financial, and some of it more opinion. We gathered information from several sources: the members, Association, bodies in the church and outside sources. Then we had to use that information to assemble a document that would fairly convey who EACC is and accurately reflect what its members told us. That meant reading what you wrote, sifting, tallying, and condensing data as well as devising a schedule for interacting with the congregation and receiving its input. It took a lot of writing and rewriting. We worked on that from April through September.

In early December after more orientation, we began to receive profiles. Profiles are complicated documents of 12 to 15 pages each. Some pages have more writing than others, and some are “boilerplate,” but some can be detailed personal writing about a candidate’s individual theology and beliefs. Profiles include several separate personal references from individuals selected by the applicant, which can also get lengthy. Although we are getting better at reading them and finding information we find useful, each one still must be given enough care to for us to form a clear opinion. We are required to read all those sent to us by request of the applicants; though not all have sufficient experience to become our pastor. We read sixteen just to get the hang of reading them. To date, we have read 47 profiles.

Thus far, we have located possible candidates who have been called and have sent more material to help us make an informed decision. The next steps will be more extensive contacts, including phone calls to both the candidate and his or her references and of course, interviews.
A final note about our decision-making process. We do not use Robert’s Rules of Order, make motions, nor vote. We work by consensus, which takes a bit longer to make sure everyone is together as we move through this process to a desirable end. Our task is to represent the congregation’s wishes as much as possible, sort through the many applicants who may think they can become our pastor, and reach a final candidate who we are proud and excited to present to the congregation as the Search Committee’s candidate. At that point, the congregation will have an opportunity to meet the candidate, attend worship at EACC where she or he will preach a candidating sermon, and vote on our selection.

We hope that this information will help to explain the nature or our process, why it takes so long, and reassure all EACC members that we are working on your behalf, which is a commitment we take seriously. In case you become curious or impatient later on, this article will be posted permanently on the Search Committee’s display in the parlor.
If you have any questions or if you want more clarification about our process, please contact any member of the search committee listed below.
Adrienne Brockway, Chair
Mary Jane Cariens, Vice Chair
John Merritt, Secretary
Charles Williams, Chaplain
Eleanore Dees Calvin Humphrey
Noreen Roderick Dean Sieck
Nikolas Southgate

LISTENING SESSIONS

The Department of Church and Ministry of the Western Reserve Association is an elected board of lay persons and authorized ministers that works in three very specific ways. We have the privilege of helping to shepherd students through the ordination and commissioning process, and the Department works to ensure that pastors coming to the Western Reserve Association have standing through our Credentialing Working Group. A third function of the Department of Church and Ministry is to provide support to churches and pastors when issues arise that cause conflict or concern. The Pastor Parish working group of the Department of Church and Ministry has this at its main concern.

The Pastor Parish Working Group was invited by your pastor and leadership to come to Euclid Avenue to help folks sort out some issues that have caused concern over the past few months. Our role is simply one of support and nurture. We are here to listen and to make some recommendations to your Council. These listening sessions are more formally called Situational Support Consultations. The goal of a Situational Support Consultation is to celebrate all the wonderful things that are part of this community of faith as well as to identify issues that need to be looked at in more depth such as lingering unease over past or present matters. The emphasis of this is truly support, and this process comes directly from the Manual on Ministry of the United Church of Christ. Over the past several weeks we have had three meetings with various folks from this congregation and have deeply appreciated this opportunity to walk with you in faith. We have been very impressed with the depth of feeling that congregants have for this church.

We want to ensure that everyone who wishes to express an opinion on issues that are causing concern has an opportunity to do so. To that end, we will schedule another meeting wherein any person who wishes to speak with us will have an opportunity to do so. The date will be determined through consultation with your governing body. .

After we have heard from all who wish to speak, we will generate a report of our findings along with some recommendations that your governing body will review. Your governing body will made any final decisions related to our recommendations. Again, our role is one of advice and support!
This is truly sacred work, and we are all in covenant with one another as people of Christ. It is a privilege to be able to come to Euclid Avenue to walk alongside you in your journey!

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Dr. Donna F. Brooks, Chairperson
Pastor Parish Working Group
Department of Church and Ministry
Western Reserve Association

LEON BIBB REMEMBERS HIS COLLEGE DAYS

AND ASKS EACC TO HELP INSPIRE EACC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

The first time I remember stepping onto a college or university campus was when my parents visited the campus from which they were graduated.  It had been many years since their graduations, but I could see the heartfelt gratitutude they felt for the many blessings they received by attending college.  I was about ten years old at the time and my parents wanted me to feel something special by walking the sidewalks they had walked and visiting the buildings in which they had studied.  I was inspired and the visit to the campus that day still resounds in my strongest of memories.

As well, years later when I visited another university campus -- the one I would attend and from which I would graduate -- there were more inspirations.  Attending a university changed my life and I have progressed every day of my life because of the decision my parents and I made about my seeking higher education.  Simply visiting a college or university campus in a specialized program geared toward orientation can do that for a young mind, which contemplates further education.  Such programs are designed to prompt students to consider attending an institution of higher learning.
The high school students at Euclid Avenue Congregational Church have opportunities to experience the same kinds of orientations if they participate in the annual college tours of several colleges in the United States.  The program is sponsored by the Urban League of Greater Cleveland.  With both the Northern tour and the Southern tour of college and universities, high school students are given grand opportunities to meet college students, faculty, staff, and walk the campuses.  The Urban League program is designed to inspire high school students to attend college. The programs are strongly chaperoned. For $550, each student visits six colleges or universities, stays in quality hotels, is fed meals, and has bus transportation covered. It would be money well-spent because the benefits would be lifelong.

The Urban League of Greater Cleveland has sponsored these kinds of college visitations for high school students for several years. In the tours, the students get up-close views of life on the college campuses.  The institutions welcome the students and provide grand insights into how students’ lives would be positively transformed were they to attend.

Euclid Avenue Congregational Church has made a commitment to help cover the costs of students who want to attend the tours scheduled for April 2010. My wife, Marguerite, and I have made a financial commitment to help. We both realize how college life helped in our lives. In fact, Marguerite and I met each other in the freshman years of our college careers. I hope all members of Euclid Avenue Congregational Church will join us in helping defray some of the costs for what will certainly be a life-changing trip for the youngsters who attend.  If you would like to contribute to the April 2010 college tour for students at our church, you may make a donation through the church. Simply earmark your contribution for the COLLEGE TOUR. Your check can be made to our church itself. Won’t you stand with us and help our high school students seek their dreams and find their futures?  Thank you. I knew you would understand.
-- Leon Bibb

Thank-you! Thank-you! Thank-you!

Our amazing, generous church gave plenty of food for 10 food baskets! The families at Charles Orr School that were identified to be in especial need were very, very grateful. The principal of Charles Orr will be speaking at our church during a Mission Moment on January 10. She is starting a new, organized, tutoring program in January; perhaps you can help! Be sure to see, in the Parlor, the very cute cards written by students thanking us for their new winter coats.
--Ann Drysdale, Church in the World Ministry

CORRESPONDENCE

October 16, 2009
Dear Friends in Christ,
Thanks you for your gift of $225. Your donation will be used to support the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Each day throughout the year, your gifts of OGHS are utilized around the world to provide food, shelter, education and health care. Individuals and communities employ OGHS gifts to build lives of dignity.

Peace, Susan M. Sanders,
One Great Hour of Sharing Administrator

November 11, 2009
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your $300 gift to the Coalition. Your support enables us to be in the struggle for the long haul.

God bless and peace,
Rev. Marguerite Voelkel,
the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns

November 5, 2009
Dear Friends,
The Ohio Conference’s Outdoor Ministries is deeply grateful for the generosity of your gift of $500 to the Campership Fund, given in memory of Henry Edwards. Thank you so much for your faithful support.

In Service to Christ,
Helen Schultz,
Transitional Director for Outdoor Ministries

Through her skills as a fundraiser and developer of programming, Restore Cleveland Hope will be able to move closer to its ultimate goal of creating an Underground Railroad Resource Center in the Cozad-Bates House and fostering there the growth of the Beloved Community.

TAKE A LOOK

Take a look at the tri-fold display in the church parlor, made by Cyndi Henderson, of course. It was created to bring to an InterAct meeting on October 19 called “Interreligious Impact Festival.” Member churches were asked to set up displays showing the various community projects that they were working on. For a small church, our impact on the community is quite remarkable! And we noted after the tri-fold had been completed that we had left one very important community project out: our housing of both AA and CA groups at our church every week. There is still room for growth, of course, as we discern what it is we are called to do as a church and as individuals.

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
WE KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE!

The Publicity Committee is seeking a few folks with an interest in getting the word out to the community about our wonderful church! We need both people with ideas/marketing skills and those who are willing to do things like taking brochures to the hotels near the church. We need your help! Please see or call Ann Drysdale (co-chair CITW) 216-481-4778

PLASTIC OR POTTERY?

There may have been a bit of confusion about the reason members have been asked to “bring your own mug” to the fellowship and refreshment time in the parlor.
The purpose is for you to use your own mug for any beverage you drink, not just coffee. This will begin the process of reducing the church’s use of plastic products.
More and more churches are “going green” in response to the biblical mandate of being good stewards of Gods’ Creation.

So, select a cup from your cupboard, write your name on it if you like and bring it to the next fellowship opportunity. By example, encourage your child(ren) to bring their own favorite cup also.

Respect the Earth! Go Green!

THE GARDENS OF EUCLID AVENUE CHURCH

The August 15th Church Work Day brought out 12 members to work on various work projects throughout the church. Five of these wonderful volunteers worked in the gardens. Many, many thanks to Kathie Buckner, who chronicled the event with her camera, Ann Drysdale, Cyndi Henderson, and Carolyn Smith, who all worked at pulling weeds, laying mulch and clipping back mulberry branches. Charlene Higginbotham and Kathy Buckner worked in the storage room off the Fellowship Hall, tagging, and inventorying cast off items. Marcie Molmen, Judy Sieck, Dean Sieck and Pastor Terri tackled the great room in the church school. Great help and great fellowship. Volunteers brought lunches and a good time was had by everyone. We will have another clean up day in September. See page 7 for details.

The Children’s Garden was spruced up. We now have vegetables. The family of rabbits was discouraged from eating all of our crops because the church school children, under the guidance of Marcie Molmen, placed soap and hair deterrents in the garden beds. We can now look forward to squash and peppers to serve. This project was an outgrowth of lessons and discussions about God’s creation and our role as stewards of his creation. The children were amazed at the rapid and lush growth of the garden plants. I hope this project was as unforgettable for our children and guests and it was for this writer.

-Eleanore Dees

Our Confirmands Speak

Easter Balloon Report

CLEVELAND CLINIC JOB PARTNERSHIP

Cleveland Clinic is partnering with us with job opportunities at Cleveland Clinic. Information regarding procedures to apply online is posted on the bulletin board above the visitor’s table in the parlor. Please call the church office with any questions or concerns you might have.

RECYCLING

Thank you for placing your Sunday bulletin and other recyclable paper in the blue basket underneath the visitors stand at the parking lot entrance. Please do not place trash in this receptacle.

Thanks also, to Cathy Russell, Dean Sieck and others for taking the plastic juice containers and communion cups to the recycle center.

Membership Roster

Fellowship and Community Life has been charged with the duty of maintaining membership statistics on our congregation, so please expect to receive calls from ministry members concerning this task.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE ELECTED

At a meeting of the congregation on Sunday, September 28, the following people were elected to serve on the committee that is charged with nominating officers, representatives and ministry members to serve in 2009: Vivian Taylor, Charles Williams, Juanita LeFloria, Calvin Humphrey and Kathy Baker. Please see one of these people to let them know what your gifts are and how you would like to serve our church in the coming year.

FLOWERS FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

We take pleasure in the fresh floral arrangement given by our members to memorialize a loved one or to celebrate a joyous event. To order such an arrangement, please contact our church secretary, Diana Reid, by phone (216-791-5200) or by email (secretary@eacc-ucc.org) no later than the Tuesday afternoon before the Sunday when you would like your arrangement to be on our altar. Diana will need to know the acknowledgement you want in the Sunday bulletin and the type and/or colors of flowers you wish in the arrangement. She will place the order with Bill Wofford on Wednesday morning. The current cost of an arrangement is $45.00. Make your check payable to the church and place it in the collection plate on the Sunday you are giving flowers. Your gift will brighten many lives. We have been fortunate to have Bill design our arrangements for the past several years. His arrangements are creative, he is generous with the amount of flowers he uses, and he does not charge us for delivery. Thank you, Bill!
The Worship and Arts Ministry will provide volunteers to wrap the flowers after the morning service. ~ Mary Jane Cariens

NEW BROCHURE

Thanks to graphic designers Adrienne Brockway and Cyndi Henderson, we have a new glossy, full-color brochure to hand out to visitors and the general public. “A Faith Home for Everyone” the brochure proclaims. A sample is posted on the front hall bulletin board. Copies are available in the church office.

OLD CELL PHONES WANTED

The Church in the World Ministry is collecting old cell phones for recycling. Proceeds will be used towards the Tents of Hope Project. Phones can be left in the box under the Women’s Association table in the parlor or given directly to Brenda Bagby or mailed to “ECO-Cell, 2701 Lindsay Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206 – Attn: Tents of Hope Campaign.”

Use of Space Agreements

The Fellowship and Community Life Ministry is in the process of reviewing agreements with organizations that use space in the church. This is being done in an effort to be better stewards of the church space and to provide a means to dialogue with non-member organizations who share our building; such as Citizen Circle, Kenpo, Alcoholics Anonymous or Restore Cleveland Hope.

AN INTERVIEW WITH PASTOR TERRI

MESSAGE FROM THE MODERATOR

Balloon Card Returns
The first balloon card has returned. It was found by Urie Miller, an Amish Friend, while hiking in the woods near Windsor Ohio. More>>

FROM LEON BIBB’S KALEIDOSCOPE
Fannie Cockfield has recommended that something she learned watching Leon Bibb’s TV-5 program “Kaleidoscope” (Sunday mornings at 7AM) be shared with the congregation. On February 3 Leon had a segment about finding a job in a tough economy, and gave CGI/Employment Connection as a possible resource. If you are looking for employment, call 216-898-1366 for an appointment with Employment Connection or visit their website, www.workforce.cuyahogacounty.us for more information.

PASTORAL CARE

We do have a pastoral care team in place. Please contact the following members if you know of someone sick and shut in and needs visitation.

Dave Buckle               Barbara Edwards
Ruth Garwood           Mary Guen
Julia Haynes              Robert Henderson
Mary Sherry                Judy Sieck
Charles Williams

ALTAR FLOWERS

The Flower Calendar for 2008 is posted outside the church office door. You are invited to sign up to give a fresh floral arrangement on a Sunday that has special significance for you. Following the morning service you may designate how you would like the flowers distributed – to shut-ins, friends, family etc. The cost of the arrangement is $45. Make your check payable to the church and indicate “Flower Fund” on the memo line. Place your check in the collection plate on the Sunday you are giving the flowers. Your gift of flowers will brighten may lives.    – Mary Jane Cariens

Volunteer Opportunities

JOURNEY TO COMMISSIONING

On January 17th I met with the Western Reserve Association Committee on Ministry. They reviewed my application to become a Commissioned Minister in Church Administration in the United Church of Christ. During the interview, I was grateful to have two members of my EACC support team with me. Dr. Paul Sherry and Kathy Baker. I am pleased to share with my church family, that the Committee on Ministry voted to recommend that my application be approved by Church in Ministry.

Next steps include submitting a request for In-Care Status in the Association, a year long journey of continued discernment and study of the theological premise of Church Administration. At the end of the year, a project presentation will be required. There is also a requirement to have an advisor that I will meet with periodically throughout the year. I am very pleased that the Reverend Margaret (Peg) Slater, recently retired from Parish Life and Leadership, Local Church Ministries, UCC and a member of EACC agreed to be my advisor.
I am blessed to have Kathy Baker, Eleanore Dees, Ruth Garwood and Rev. Sherry as my local church support team. Your good wishes and continued prayers are appreciated.    – Charlene Higginbotham

Making Our Churches Safe for All “Safe Church”

The Personnel Practices Committee has been charged with formulating our church’s policy and educating our church members on our own “safe church” initiative. Yes, this procedure has been strongly suggested to us (as well as to other UCC churches) by the UCC Insurance Board. It is also the right thing to do – morally, ethically, and spiritually.

This initiative will involve such things as education of church members, continuing education for childcare staff and volunteers, disclosure forms for all individuals involved with the care of our children, background checks of some staff members and policies on the reporting of abusive behavior.
For most of us, these are uncomfortable topics. As we proceed, we will be guided and reassured by Scripture. All people should be able to safely “dwell in the house of God forever.”

- Ann Drysdale, Chairperson, Personnel Practices Committee

EACC IN THE NEWS

In the August 25 Plain Dealer, an article about First Presbyterian Church of East Cleveland celebrating its 200th birthday stated that during the Civil War, 14 members of that church left it to form Euclid Avenue Congregational Church, because the elders of the East Cleveland church refused to condemn slavery. Our church’s historical records indicate that our church’s beginnings were in 1828, not 1807. Yet the story of our early members breaking away from the Presbyterian Church on the issue of slavery is documented. The Beacon promises more research and the answer to this puzzle by the October issue, if not before.

EACC HISTORY MYSTERY, PART II

An August article in the Plain Dealer indicated that the First Presbyterian Church of East Cleveland, which was celebrating its 200th anniversary, is an ancestor of EACC. In the article our church was mentioned by name as the congregation formed by 14 First Presbyterian Church members who left that church because it would not condemn slavery. Further investigation, however, indicates that those 14 people must have formed another church altogether, not ours. EACC broke away from the Presbyterian church over the issue of slavery, all right, but as an entire congregation. Part of the confusion is due to the fact that when we did so we called ourselves an Independent Presbyterian Church until in 1862 we became the First Congregational Church of East Cleveland, and this other 14-member church had the same name. At the time EACC was at Doan’s Corners (now East 105th), however, while this other Independent Presbyterian Church was located in Euclid near Allendale. Two entirely different casts of characters were involved, too: our earliest members were Fords, Cozads, and Baldwins, while the 14 were Ruples and Cadys.

THE GARDENS OF EUCLID
AVENUE CHURCH

“The garden. It is said that the ‘seat of the soul is there, where the outer and inner worlds meet.’ Gardens and gardening have been important to many of the members of our church family. The idea of a memorial garden was crystallized when I heard that a member of our congregation wanted to have his ashes placed in the ground on which the church rested. Since that time, other members have expressed the desire to have their ashes placed in the church’s ground. Euclid Avenue Church has yet to dedicate a columbarium and while that question is being reviewed, we have developed a method by which current members can honor and memorialize loved ones. This garden, then is the answer to the question, “Why a memorial garden?” The garden will not be static or finished. There are future opportunities to dedicate living plants in honor and memory of loved ones. For nearly one hundred and fifty years members of this congregation have labored lovingly for this church, its future and the love of God. What more fitting way to say ‘Well done’ and ‘Thank you’ than to dedicate a living memorial and to place it in the church’s ground. We thank you for your response to our project. We regret that some plants are reflecting the rigors of this year’s dry summer. But if God wills it, we will have other summers and more opportunities to display the gardens.”

The foregoing passage comes from the introduction in the dedication program of the Memorial Gardens on September 29, 1991. At that time David Knight Ford, Amasa Ford, Allan Ford and Oliver Ford purchased an ornamental pear tree and garden benches in loving memory of Elizabeth B. Ford. Armentha Nesbitt and Hazel Dockery purchased clematis vines in memory of Alice Gray and Hazel’s father Cyril Carter and mother Clementine Temple. Mary Jane Cariens purchased a Sweet Bay Magnolia in memory of her parents, Norman and Harriet Hawn and grandmother, Anna E. Hawn. Nathaniel Martin purchased an oak leaf hydrangea in memory of his grandmother, Betty Martin, and aunt, Emma Spurlin. Kathie and Bural Buckner purchased spreading yews in memory of Evelyn and Frank McMillen and Dora and Merritt Buckner. The list goes on. The time has come to refresh the Gardens of Euclid Avenue Church.

The Men’s Council has graciously donated a sum to purchase perennials for a fall planting. The Garden Committee of 2007 consists of Kathy Buckner, Eleanore Dees, Henry Edwards, Paul Jerabek, Julia Haynes, and Johnnie Mitchell. A copy of the program and resource documents for the 1991 dedication are on file in the church office. Further details about the project will be forthcoming.
Church family members are invited to consider a shrub, tree or annual in honor or memory of a beloved person. Contact any member of the committee.
          Eleanore Dees, Coordinator

MEMBERS WHO ARE SHUT-IN OR HOMEBOUND

We need to update our list of church members who are shut-ins or homebound. Those members who are unable to attend church services due to health issues or physical frailty need our support and encouragement. Do they wish to be added to the prayer concern list? Would they enjoy a visit or phone call from the pastoral care committee? Are they receiving seasonal plants from the church at Easter and Christmas? In order to minister to them, we need to know who they are. Please contact Rev. Carrion with the name of any EACC member who has such needs.

Your E-Mail Address is Requested
A special, Members only area of the Website is under construction. This area will be accessible only to members who have registered and received a password. The first piece of this area will be an online Membership Directory of phone numbers and e-mail addresses. In order for this to be a useful tool for our membership, it should be as complete as possible. Please visit the Member's Only form to submit your e-mail address for listing and/or to apply for a password to the member-only area.