What's New at EACC

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST WOMEN’S WEEK

UCC Women’s Week will be observed February 5-11. The Current issue of Common Lot magazine features articles for each day from women around the country, writing about women of the Bible and women today reflecting on this year’s theme, "Sustaining Ministry."
Reference materials will be on display in the parlor.

Wednesday Bible Study

Starting January 25, our Wednesday D.I.V.E. discussions will become Wednesday Bible Study sessions. Each Wednesday we will have a 12:00 noon and a 7:00 PM Bible study (more)

Pastor's Bookshelf

Each month in 2012, Pastor Jenkins will be recommending a book to the congregation. We are encouraged to read along each month with Pastor Jenkins. (more)

New Beginnings Report

All the members of the New Beginning Committee and fifteen other members of the church attended an open meeting on December 3, at the East 30th Street Church for three hours. (more)

NEW MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES STATEMENTS

A Letter from InterAct

SERVANT LEADERS

In a letter that went out to several members of the congregation in November, Pastor
Jenkins wrote, “Over the last year it has become evident to me that we need a group
of consistent leaders who will assist in ensuring that our mission remains
Christ-centered and that the needs of our members are met. You might have heard me
speak of our need to have ‘Deacon-like’ servant-leaders here in our congregation who
will assist the pastor in serving the people of God.” In December, the year-long
training of the Servant Leaders began. Their responsibilities will include – but
will not be limited to – serving Communion and visiting those who are shut-in, sick,
or incarcerated. Some of those listed below may decide that Servant-Leadership is
not their calling, but they will all be beginning both the training and the serving
in the new year:

Kathy Baker ● Al Parks ● Marguerite Bibb ● Madge Potts-Williams ● Linda Brewer ● Dean Sieck
Dave Buckle ● Judy Sieck ● Mary Guen ● Charles Williams ● Darryl Harris ● Karol Harris ● Helen Humphrey

OPPORTUNITIES TO DONATE

Read below to learn more about two funds to which you can contribute to further the
work of the church. In either case, make out your check to Euclid Avenue
Congregational Church and indicate the name of the fund on the memo line.

The Pastor’s Benevolence Fund (Formally the Minister’s Fund): The purpose of Pastor’s
Benevolence Fund is to provide financial aid to individuals who are in need of urgent
assistance. The Pastor’s Benevolence Fund may not be applicable to all urgent cases,
especially for those who have other financial options or for cases which need long
term financial support. The church has the right to adjust or deny an individual’s
request and the church may also consider providing support other than monetary
assistance.  Monetary assistance cannot be provided directly to the individual
requesting assistance. 

The Pastor’s Vision Fund: Throughout any program year, it is expected that the Pastor
of the church will have ideas that help to assist Euclid Avenue Congregational Church
to fulfill its vision to be a church that Reaches up, in, out, across and beyond. 
The Pastor’s Vision Fund exists to afford the Pastor opportunities to continue to
move the vision of the church toward reality. The pastor, members, visitors or
outside institutions may contribute to the Pastor’s Vision Fund to support these
initiatives.

COMING SOON

Cyndi Henderson and Jesse Paulson are working together to update the church website,
and are open to suggestions.

The second worship service that you’ve been hearing about will begin March 25, in the Music Room. A Praise Team is being recruited to consist of 4–7 singers who will lead the music. There will also be a band: keyboard, guitar, bass, drum, and horn. See Alcee Chris or Jesse Paulson if you are interested in joining either the Praise Team or the band, or if you have suggestions for the service.

GREATER CLEVELAND CONGREGATIONS

On Thursday evening, December 8, 16 EACC members were among the over 800 people who crowded into Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in support of the children who attend the Cleveland Public Schools and their families. Greater Cleveland Congregations, a coalition of 40 religious congregations and community organizations committed to working together to make Cuyahoga County a more just and prosperous place, sponsored this event. Every member congregation of GCC was urged to send as many people as possible to thank both the Cleveland Teachers Union and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District leaders for resolving their differences so that serious cuts in services will not be required this year, and to urge them to take action so that cuts will not be required in the future. This gathering demonstrated that there is power in numbers, and that people of faith can work wonders if they work together.

THANKSGIVING GIFT BAGS
The day before Thanksgiving, 30 EACC members gathered in the church office to stuff 41 bags with nonperishable food items. These bags were handed out at Shiloh Baptist Church at a Thanksgiving Day worship service, which 10 EACC members attended. It was a wonderful way to connect with the community; at least two people who received bags of food showed up at worship Thanksgiving Sunday!

NATIONAL YOUTH EVENT
The National Youth Event (NYE) of the United Church of Christ is the largest gathering of UCC Youth from around the country with 3,000 participants. This mega-event is held every 4 years and is scheduled for next summer, July 10-13. NYE2012 will be held at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. The youth (ages 13-18) of Euclid Avenue Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ are invited to help us Imagine—our 2012 theme based on the scripture Isaiah 43:19. Share in four days of faith and leadership formation and engage peer-to-peer mentorship. We will have enormous fun, celebrate our faith and return home inspired to change lives. Learn more about National Youth Event 2012 at www.ucc.org/nye. Contact Waltrina Middleton, your National Minister for Youth Advocacy and Leadership Formation at middletonw@ucc.org or call
216-736-3871.
We want Euclid Avenue UCC’s presence felt at NYE2012!

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Over the next few months EACC will begin the process of writing policies and procedures to be implemented during the 2012 program year. This is an attempt to improve communication across the board. If you are interested in assisting the pastor with this important work, please speak with her.

GETTING OUT OF THE PEWS
If you are interested in becoming more active at EACC beyond Sunday worship services, you might want to consider joining the Nominating Committee, Enlistment Committee, or Budget Committee. See Pastor Jenkins if you are looking for a way to “test the waters” and be of service.

GREATER CLEVELAND CONNECTIONS
Greater Cleveland Connections, an organization that brings members of many churches, temples, mosques and other places of worship together is beginning to discuss ways that we might join forces to solve some of Cleveland’s most pressing social and economic problems. Several members of EACC are on the various “teams” that have come up with the following vision statements:

Education: GCC imagines a community that works together to provide quality educational opportunities for all children in Greater Cleveland so that each child may develop his/her innate abilities for the common good.
Jobs: GCC imagines a Greater Cleveland with a thriving economy that provides meaningful job opportunities for all.

Health Care: GCC imagines a healthy Greater Cleveland where everyone gets the health care they need.
Criminal Justice: GCC imagines a Greater Cleveland where every citizen experiences restorative justice, is equally protected, and receives fair and just treatment before the law.
Food Accessibility (formerly Sustainable Foods): GCC imagines a Greater Cleveland where everyone has access to healthy, affordable, environmentally friendly food.

THREE REMINDERS

FIRST FRIEND OF EACC
Our congregation is growing. In an effort to retain our new members we are asking you to be a “First Friend” to those who join EACC. First Friends will give new members a phone call, help them become acclimated to the church and help them find a place to serve. To become a “First Friend” please call Mary Guen at 216-561-0857.

“THROUGH THE FIRE” VIDEO
The video that was made to commemorate the first anniversary of the fire that destroyed our church building at 9606 Euclid captures our past, present and future as a church family. The film contains reflections from members and pieces of the Hope and Healing Service that was held March 23, 2011. DVDs are now available for distribution at $15 each. Call the church office to order your copy; please make checks payable to JR Productions.

EACC’S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
At Pastor Jenkins’ invitation, several friends and members of EACC have written about our church’s present, past, and/or future. The following is by Rev. Randy Hyvonen, who became a member of EACC in 1978 and served as our pastor from 1983-1993:

March 16, 2011
“Dear EACC,
I’m sitting in a hotel in Indianapolis – part of a fascinating group of 66 people of faith focused on the leadership training that has grown out of the thoughtful writings of Parker Palmer with his decades of focus on building community and supporting habits of the heart.

As this time in our retreat we’ve been invited to write a ‘love letter’ to a faith community that has been significant in our lives, and this was a no-brainer for me…not only because of the ways you helped shaped my ministry and family for nearly 15 years but also because one week from now we will all remember the pain of losing that beautiful building we all loved so much.

I hope that one year out you have moved beyond the shock and pain of loss to a realization that what has made you so special over many decades was not the building but instead the special witness you have given to the City of Cleveland, to the Western Reserve Association, to the Ohio Conference, and indeed to all of the United Church of Christ.

You made a decision over 50 years ago to stay in the city to bear witness to integration and to serve those who have had to live with less, and you have done so with class and substance, - notably with the music that has permeated your life (chancel choir, gospel choir, children’s choir, Music and Meditation series, and classical music of all sorts): and then also your annual arts festivals, chancel drama, day care center, openness to 12-step groups, Saturday Fun, InterAct (formerly ESIM), and multiple other ways you have served the community.

The building may be gone, but all that has happened in it over the years can still happen. May God be with you as you work to make it so!

Lenten Blessings – Randy Hyvonen (and Karen sends greetings and blessings, too)

FIRE ANNIVERSARY AND HEALING SERVICE, photo gallery
Exactly one year after the 2010 fire that destroyed our church building at 9606 Euclid
Avenue, “A Service of Healing and Hope” was held on the land where the church once stood
and also in the church office at 9411 Euclid. We might have stayed longer on the 9606
property, but it was a bitterly cold evening; we were grateful that the daylong rain had
stopped, however. We poured a libation of oil upon the ground where the church had been;
we anointed one another with the same oil saying, ”Thank you, God, for the memories of the
past and grant us courage for the road ahead,” and then we continued our service in the
warmth of 9411.

The part of the service that was at 9606 was an exploration of the past; the parts at 9411
acknowledged the future as the children planted lilies of the valley, words were spoken
and a song sung, and a white dove was released (outside, of course) as a symbol of peace
with a prayer ending, “Let this be a time of Holy listening, Holy conversation and Holy
movement. We are open to You.”

After the benediction, we were shown a DVD of interviews of various church members, often
superimposed on photos of the church building we had lost. Those interviewed expressed a
hope for a new beginning and for a future with our members growing closer as we reach out
to welcome others.

Those members in attendance – and there was a sizeable crowd in spite of the weather –
received gifts of commemorative bookmarks and also vials of 9606 earth. Gratitude and
appreciation were expressed to Pastor Jenkins for the effort that had gone into this
service and for helping to create a new spirit of hope and renewal at Euclid Avenue
Congregational Church.

Please call the church office if you were unable to attend the service and would like to
order a DVD ($15) or receive your gifts.

The white dove that was released during the service returned to its home on Thursday
afternoon.

USE OF SPACE FORM
A form to reserve space for events has been revised and is available at the church office. Requests for events need to be submitted 60 days in advance. Please call the church office to obtain an event form.

DID YOU SEE THE VIDEO?

If you missed seeing the video that Pastor Jenkins showed us during fellowship hour on Sunday, February 6, you can play it over and over. You are probably in some of those photos! Pastor Jenkins created this video, “A Year We’ll Never Forget,” out of the photos she collected before Christmas...
You can also find this video at: http://www.youtube.com/eaccucc  

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE FORMED
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Members of the EACC Publicity Committee have been identified and will be meeting to develop a purpose statement and guidelines for sharing ministry programs and events with members and the community:

Rhonda Crowder - Writer and Reporter with the Call and Post
Elizabeth Stuart    - Account Executive with WCLV Radio
Charlene Higginbotham - Former Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator; Program Development
Leon Bibb, a journalist and reporter for Channel 5 News, will serve as advisor to the committee.
The EACC Publicity Committee is a ministry of Church in the World.

- Charlene Higginbotham

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.

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

THINGS TO DO, PEOPLE TO HELP, PLACES TO GO

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

Additional items added on 4/29/2010

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.

RECYCLINGG

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.

Volunteer Opportunities

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.