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From Pastor Daniel Senior Pastor’s Page

As a photojournalist, do you photograph the injured child in the midst of gunfire in order to share the power and horror of the moment, or stop to assist that child? As a reporter, do you pretend to have a mental illness in order to be admitted to an institution to observe and report on abuses? Is it ethical to continue using anonymous or "unnamed" sources in your work? How do you hold in check your emotions as you speak on camera while buildings are falling around you?

These are just a few of questions raised in displays, films, and interactive exhibits at the Newseum, in Washington, D.C. A group of us from ERUCC visited the museum on July 21st , and while the admission is pricey, it is well worth it.

I came away with a new appreciation for our right of freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly, and how precious that right is and how quickly it can be eroded. A large, color-coded map in one area of the museum shows countries which have freedom of press and those who have limited or no freedom of the press. You won't be surprised to discover that the countries with free press are much fewer in number.

Personal interviews with reporters who covered wars, disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 highlighted their own human and very personal experiences and the challenges they faced in their work. There were also stories of news people who lost their lives so that the truth would be told.

The Newseum celebrates freedom of speech and press with exhibits that include what we might call more mainstream reporting, like the evening news, along with perspectives from shows such as "Saturday Night Live." Visitors are challenged to consider that even though we may not like tabloids, we live in a country with the freedom to make up stories about two-headed babies and Martians landing at the White House, and we have the freedom to buy those kinds of magazines and papers.

Sun shone through glass windows in the First Amendment Gallery as visitors read these words: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of the people to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

I give God thanks for our country and the freedom to speak freely from the pulpit, in meetings, and even carry a sign that states what I believe. I give thanks that I have the freedom to write my thoughts and opinions. I give thanks that I have a choice of newspapers, magazines, and news programs. I give thanks that our freedoms provide a light and model for the world.

According to the First Amendment, we have the right to complain about the press, what people may be saying and doing. We also have the responsibility to participate in the conversation and share our perspectives and understanding. May we not take our freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition for granted nor abdicate our spoken or written opinions to those who want to limit free speech.

From Pastor Daffern Associate Pastor’s Page

In the past few days we've been enjoying the extravagance of summer: sweet and juicy nectarines from the farmers' market. Fresh corn roasted on the grill and lightly touched with butter, and sweet cherry tomatoes served with basil leaves from the pot on the front porch. It's hot and the heat is doing its work - producing wonderful things for us to eat.

The summer storms haven't disappointed either. The sound and fury of thunder and lightening are some of my favorite moments in summer. Perhaps you saw the dramatic photo in the Frederick News Post of a bright streak of lightening, with the steeple of our own Trinity Chapel in the foreground.

Twin spotted fawns are crashing around our Linganore neighborhood. Most young deer out here dutifully follow the does through the woods and over our lawns; polite studies in obedience. Two of them lope and skid around our walks, fences, and streets - way ahead of Mom, and apparently afraid of nothing, and certainly not of us.

For several mornings running, a huge owl greeted the day from a tree outside our bedroom window. His calls woke us before the alarm clock, but our sleepy, curious conversations, while standing on our deck in dim light, were a refreshing change in routine.

On a summer morning hike near Cunningham Falls, Mike and I stopped to identify a crooked little sapling next to the trail. While we talked, we became aware of a rustling in the leaves just feet away. When we looked, we were surprised to see a healthy, fat timber rattler moving through the sunshine to a rock outcropping. We watched in awe as he slid over fallen branches, around boulders, the diamond pattern on his skin creating a work of performance art.

A couple of weeks ago, Barbara spoke of the extravagance represented in the parable of the planter who went out to sow seed. In the parable, the seed was tossed out in a manner that borders on carelessness. Sometimes the beauty of God's earth seems like that seed - just thrown out into the universe for our pleasure and our joy. And so much of it is missed - because we are too distracted or busy or self-absorbed to notice.

But then some of God's scattered beauty and delight falls on us, and we cannot ignore the blessings of summer.

WORSHIP NOTES
 (Scripture notes from Seasons of the Spirit and Pulpit Resource)
 August 2008

Sunday, August 3  
           God can accomplish much with little. A few loaves and fish feed multitudes. Matthew 14:13-21 tells the amazing story of the multitudes being fed by a few loaves of bread and some fish. People of faith are called to be compassionate. This theme weaves through the reading from Romans 9:1-5, as Paul agonizes for the people of Israel. We will be using the red hymnal this Sunday and celebrating Holy Communion.

Sunday, August 10  
           In Matthew 14:22-33, we read that Jesus' disciples are distressed and frightened, threatened by a storm. The story of Joseph in Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, reminds us that God is present in a living relationship with people. God protects what is promised, redeeming the day. God restores God's people, bringing good from evil and order from chaos. In challenging times, God is with us.

Sunday, August 17  
           Joseph's reunion with his brothers in Genesis 45:1-15 is dramatic. Joseph reconciles with them without revenge. In Matthew 15:21-28, Jesus teaches that God's saving love is for everyone.

Sunday, August 24 
           Paul, in Romans 12:1-8, claims that a worshipful disposition, humility, and God's gifts empower us to discern and live God's way. In Matthew 16:13-20 we hear Peter's confession that Jesus is God's liberating leader - the Messiah, the one who embodies God's law with compassion and care. Jesus gives authority to the disciples to do the same.

Sunday, August 31 
           God's people continue to grow through struggle. In Exodus 3:1-15, we hear the story of Moses and God's call to make him a liberator of the Hebrews. In Matthew 16:21-28, Jesus is the model disciples and followers are identified by their Jesus-like actions. To follow God can be costly and risky.

                                        Adult Forum for September

Have you ever thought about why the sixty-six books that we have in our Bible were selected out of the hundreds of texts in use by the early church? Have you ever wondered how or why the creeds we say contain the words they do? What about the environment that created the need for a "Statement of Faith." Interested? Come join the Adult Forum group in the Library/Thomas Room during September as we work to understand these answers to these questions. Mary Lou Blessing will lead the discussion.

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25 Years of Ministry!

It was 25 years ago – June 19, 1983 – that Barbara Kershner became The Reverend Barbara Kershner, of the United Church of Christ.

On Sunday June 29 of this year, our church was fortunate, happy, and proud to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of our pastor -the Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel - as an ordained minister. As a surprise occasion, we celebrated with several gifts: written honoraria from colleagues, a mission banner, and a reception by the congregation.  

Individual letters from VIP colleagues in the ministry – honoring Barbara’s career – were read by Elders at the 10:30 service.  These letters came from Dr. David Greenhaw, Barbara’s doctoral thesis advisor while at Lancaster Theological Seminary; Dr. Reiss Potterveld, President of Lancaster Theological Seminary; Dr. John Deckenback, Conference Minister of the Central Atlantic Conference; and Rev. John Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.  

A “Tools of the Great Carpenter” banner, depicting carpenter tools and themes such as “Transformation” – “Faith” – “Growth” – “Rebuild”’ (artfully personalized by Sally Hodges), was also presented.  It will be especially suited for displaying after mission trips, which Barbara loves leading.  During coffee hour, the congregation continued to honor the occasion with a specially decorated cake. 

We, the people of our church, were proud of the day, the occasion, and of our pastor – the Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel. 

What are the current and future needs of our congregation, and how can we best utilize the resources we have?  If you are interested in sharing in the conversation, please plan to join us on Monday, August 4^th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Social Room.  At this initial meeting, we will make a list of the questions and concerns we want to explore and research, and will develop a process for discerning how to plan for our current and future building needs. 

If you have any questions - or are unable to attend the meeting but are interested in the process - please see Pastor Daniel.

                                  LIBRARY NEWS

Laura and Harold Hahn have donated a most timely book to our ERUCC library.  It is titled America's Cheapest Family, by Steve and Annette Economides, and it is filled with practical, realistic help in these difficult economic times.  It will be displayed on the tiered rack in the Library during the month of August.

Between running her Manhattan yarn shop, Walker & Daughter, and raising her 12-year-old bi-racial daughter, Dakota, Georgia Walker has plenty on her plate in Jacobs's debut novel. But when Dakota's father re-appears, and a former friend contacts Georgia, Georgia's orderly existence begins to unravel. Her support system is her staff and the knitting club that meets at her store every Friday night, though each person has dramas of her own brewing.  Jacobs surveys the knitters' histories, and the novel's pace crawls as the novel lurches between past and present, the latter largely occupied by munching on baked goods, sipping coffee, and watching the knitters size each other up.  Club members' troubles don't intersect so much as build on common themes of domestic woes and betrayal.  It takes a while, but when Jacobs, who worked at Redbook and Working Woman, hits her storytelling stride, poignant twists propel the plot and help the pacing find a pleasant rhythm. (From Publishers Weekly)

PARISH NURSE CORNER – AUGUST 2008  

Dear Family and Friends, 

We hope you are experiencing many blessings this summer.  In the midst of our happiness, we may feel anxious about the health of a loved one who has received the unwelcome diagnosis of cancer.  Jesus says, “. . . Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34)  Mary Lou Blessing shared the following article with us, and we would like to pass it on to all of you. 

How to Talk to People Who Have Cancer  

By Jeanne Sather

Many people shy away when a friend or relative is diagnosed with cancer, because they just don’t know what to say.

I’ve lived with, and written about, cancer for more than nine years now, and I’ve had people—friends and total strangers both—say some pretty horrific things to me.  I’ve also had a number of people come to me for advice, both people who want to know what to say to someone with cancer, and cancer patients who want to know how to respond to upsetting comments.

Here is my advice.

Talk less

There are times when less is more, and responding to the news that a friend or relative has cancer is one of those times.

First, follow the lead of the person who has cancer.  We cancer patients do not all cope with our diagnosis in the same way.  Some people will be very open about their cancer, others will say very little.  When someone you know says, “I have cancer,” the best initial response is simply, “I am very sorry to hear that.”  Then stop, and take your cues from the other person.

Don’t tell horror stories

A surprising number of people respond to the news of a cancer diagnosis by telling a story about someone they know who has died of cancer.  This even happened when I was at the Department of Motor Vehicles to get a new driver’s license:  The clerk, seeing my bald head, told me about her mother’s death from breast cancer. 

Do offer positive stories

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I did not know a single woman who had the disease and survived.  During those early weeks, my friends brought me stories of women who had survived breast cancer and were doing well.  They gave me phone numbers of more women who had survived and who could tell me, with authority, that I would survive it, too.

These women told me that I would cry when my hair fell out , that I would feel sick with chemo, that I would sometimes feel very sorry for myself, and that I would laugh sometimes at the indignity of it all. But that I would get through it , as they had.  They were the greatest gift, these stories.

Continued on next page

PARISH NURSE CORNER – AUGUST (continued)

Don’t suggest treatments

Unless you are asked, keep your advice and opinions to yourself .  Just because your friend told you that she has cancer does not mean that she wants you to suggest treatments.  Unsolicited opinions and unwanted advice are intrusive and just make the cancer patient’s life harder.

Ask questions carefully

“How long have you got?” and “What’s the prognosis?” are just about the worst things you can ask.  If you do want to know, and you think you are close enough to the person to ask, the right way is to inquire , “May I ask you what your doctor says?”

Avoid clichés

When faced with a friend who has cancer, most people say, “Let me know what I can do,” whether they are willing to help or not.

If you DO want to help, ask, “What kind of help do you need?”  Or make a specific suggestion, “Could I bring over a meal next week?”  Or, “Do you need me to drive you to appointments?”

If you DON’T want to help, don’t make an insincere offer .  Just express your regrets and stop there.

Keep it simple

Your message can be very simple.  When a good friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer about a year ago, I e-mailed her regularly to offer support and to answer her questions.

The one message that really made a difference was a very simple one:  I e-mailed her before she started chemo and said:  “You can do this.  It won’t be fun, but it won’t be all that bad either.  You can do it.”

She replied immediately:  “Your saying ‘You can do this,’ just had a big effect on me.  I think that’s what I need.  I’ll tell my husband to tell me that often.”

Jeanne Sather is an outspoken advocate for the cancer patient’s point of view and writes at The Assertive Cancer Patient.

Copyright 2008 The HealthCentral Network, Inc.  All rights reserved.  The HealthCentral Network, Inc., 1655 Fort Myer Drive, Suite 400, Arlington, Virginia 22209  

Love and Light from your Parish Nurses, Peg Stahler and Vida Penn

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES 

Come Catch a Wave into Vacation Bible School

The Waves are just starting to roll into ERUCC's Beach Party.  We would love to have all children in the congregation participate:  Aug. 4^th thru 8^th, from 9 a.m.to 12 noon, with classes for 3year olds through 5^th grade.  If you would like to sign up, please contact Kim Sexton as soon as possible at KSEXTON@ERUCC.org, or forms can be found on the church website. 

 Blessing of the Backpacks 

It’s hard to believe that summer is half over and the first day of school for the 2008-2009 school year is just around the corner.  The annual Blessing of the Backpacks will be held on Aug. 24^th during the 10:30 service.  Everyone involved in education is encouraged to bring their backpack, bag, briefcase, or laptop to be blessed!

YOUTH NEWS

Monday – Friday, August 4-8                       Exploring our Faith
Anyone entering 8^th grade and older is welcome to participate in this week-long program, which is required for those anticipating confirmation in May of 2009.   The group will meet each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Mornings will include exploring various topics, such as “Who is God?”, “Who is Jesus?”, “What does it mean to be a part of the church?”, and “What do other churches and religions believe?”  In the afternoons, we will take some field trips, and youth are invited to participate in these trips.  (Parents and other adults, too.)  Here’s the schedule:

            Monday, August 4
                        9 a.m.:  (Morning Session) “God as Creator”
                        1:30 to 3 p.m. - Visit Frederick’s Religious Coalition for Human Needs.

            Tuesday, August 5
                        (Morning Session) – “Who is Jesus?”
                        12 Noon to 3:30 p.m. - Lunch and Visit at Homewood Retirement Community.

            Wednesday, August 6
                         Morning Session – “Guided by the Holy Spirit – Doers of the Word”
                        12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Work at “Habitat Re-Store”, Located at 1109 East Patrick Street,
                        near the Fairgrounds.

            Thursday, August 7
                        Morning Session – Worship; Sacraments of the Church; Symbols
                        12:45 to 3:30 p.m.     Visit downtown houses of worship.

Friday, August 8
                        (Morning Session) – History of the Church; ERUCC History
                        12:45 to 3 p.m.   Attend Prayer Service at Islamic Society of Frederick.

***Please speak with Pastor Daniel if you are interested in attending the morning or afternoon sessions, so we can plan appropriate supplies and transportation.

Sunday, August 10                 9:30 a.m.         National Youth Event Trip Sharing
                                                After church through 4 p.m.
Cleaning out Nursery and Preschool rooms for painting.  There’s lots of stuff to be moved (maybe even some to throw out) in order to prepare these rooms for painting and new carpet.  Pizza will be served at 2 p.m.

Sunday, August 24                 6 to 7:30 p.m.  Back-to-School Picnic/Party
Bring a salad or dessert to share as we join in our annual Back-to-School Picnic.  This evening we will officially greet the new members of the youth group and begin our planning for another year together. 

EAGLE SCOUT COURT OF HONOR
Christopher S. Daniel
Sunday, August 17

Members and friends of the congregation are invited to attend the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Christopher Daniel on August 17 at 3 p.m. at ERUCC.    For his Eagle project, Christopher led a group of persons from the church and from Troop 470 in constructing the labyrinth located behind Trinity Chapel.  

Sienna Schmid Earns Bronze Award

Congratulations to Sienna Schmid, who recently completed the requirements for her Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest recognition a Junior Girl Scout can earn.  Sienna collected needed donations for Hope Alive, a shelter for homeless women and their children in Frederick County.
Many thanks to ERUCC members and friends for your donations to Sienna’s project.

A STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE
Stewards Gifted by God: Our Talents, Vocation, and Life-long Learning
by Doris Powell
 UCC Stewardship and Church Finances Ministry  

“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”  (I Peter 4:10) 

All are gifted by God, and all are called.  Generally, the notion of call is understood as a calling to ministry, with a path that leads to ordination.  But God grants persons varied talents and abilities and calls us all to serve in many ways.  The process of discernment is a method of reflecting on life’s journeys that can open us up to hearing God’s voice urging us in a certain direction, whether in an educational or vocational path, love, a spiritual journey, or some other aspect of life. 

The church is looked to by many for vision, direction, and courage.  People long to know the scriptures, to become articulate about faith, and to see more clearly the relationship between the gospel and the realities of the world.  Life-long learning enables persons to discern the shape of discipleship throughout the changing course of their lives. 

As centers of hope and transformation, local churches engage, in the tradition of Jesus, in discerning, cultivating, and using the gifts of Christ’s disciples for the common good. 

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2008 Annual Meeting of the
Central Atlantic Conference
June 13^th -15^th

This conference was well attended:  88 clergy, 125 lay persons, 2 international (German) participants and youth.  During this well-organized, 3-day meeting, considerable information was presented.  All were made aware that, although UCC is small in comparison with other national religious groups, the UCC is on the center stage—the national news and major newspapers.  We are singled out as a result of the current political situation.  This affords us the opportunity to become better-known and to inform others about who we are (culturally and geographically diverse) and what we believe.  

Being thrown onto the national scene has had significant impact on the CAC and its budget.  On the positive side, funds have been received to support specific items such as the NY Times article and other media costs. (Additional personnel will be required in this area.)  Media consultants are needed to assist in preparing material for publication.  Increasingly there are opportunities to get on talk shows to tell our story:  who we are and what we believe.  

There are 38 conferences in the UCC.  The CAC is geographically and demographically diverse.  It has a public witness that is risk-taking.  It is characterized by autonomy and accountability.  Does it work?  Yes, there is the freedom to do odd things.  While there is no uniformity of belief, we share coherence.  Our leadership acts and leads.  We care for the oppressed and welcome the stranger. 

The theme of this conference was “Imagine .”  Imagine a new church is possible.  Imagination matters.  The Rev. Dr. Thomas used the analogy of a circus tent versus a circus parade.  The big tent represents the first 50 years—bringing together the UCC.  Within the tent was something for everyone, but this image is not useful for the future.  Rather, a more dynamic image; e.g., a great circus parade, is needed.  The parade is moving, it announces something—the good news.  Imagine it as a protest march based on deep conviction.  It is time for change. 

The budget was passed.  Concerns were expressed by the continued withdrawal of funds from the reserves to balance the budget.  Clearly, additional funding is needed.  The Bylaws were revised as amended.  A resolution “In Support of Physician Assistance in Dying” was debated, revised (remove lines 217-219), and approved for forwarding to the Board.  Action :  The ERUCC may wish to consider this resolution.    

A number of workshops were held:  Dollars and Sense for Local Churches; Thinking Beyond Sunday School—Teaching and Learning Practices of Faith; Keeping the Promise; Jesus has Left the Building…And We Followed; We’ve Welcomed Them, Now What?; Churches Behaving Badly; Thinking Out of the Box About Our Physical Assets; I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me; Doing Meetings or Doing Ministry?; Can You Touch the Work?; Ask and Ye Shall Receive; Learning to Speak the Language of Faith; Imagine—A new Church Start is Possible; Online Social Networking:  Understanding and Utilizing Facebook and My Space; and Conversation with our German Guests.

(continued on next page)

2008 Annual Meeting of the Central Atlantic Conference (continued) 

These workshops provided information and sharing on how to improve the operation of the church as an organization.  

Bud attended “Thinking Out of the Box About Our Physical Assets.”  It focused on three churches in our conference that had taken dramatic steps regarding their buildings and how they are used.  Bud also attended “Can You Touch the Word?”  This workshop was on ways to make our worship welcoming to persons with diverse hearing abilities. 

Sonja attended the workshop on “Dollars and Sense for Local Churches.”  (ERUCC may want to review the handout to see if ERUCC has up-to-date policies—conflict of interest, personnel, discrimination, emergency planning, buildings and grounds, financial controls, gift policy, endowment, investment, etc.)  The second workshop, “Churches Behaving Badly,” focused on reducing bureaucratic structure, using new technology, and being flexible and creative.  (Busy people will assume responsibility for a task but do not have time for endless meetings.)  

Annual Report Concerns:  How do we: develop, recruit, and sustain church leaders? get the church to think more globally? harness talents? harness the tools of technology?  We must be good stewards of resources. 

A New Church Development committee has assessed our approach to starting new churches.  The “pastoral search and call process” has changed significantly; instead of three offices, it will be handled in a single office.  “Boundary Awareness” training for clergy will be started this fall.  (Unfortunately, the number of cases has increased; a committee will be working with the churches on this issue.)  Kristen Curlee will be focusing on Youth Ministry.  This fall there will be a two-day retreat at New Windsor on multi-generational church, and a National Youth Event in July in Knoxville. 

Felix Carrion delivered a moving address on the “God is still Speaking” initiative.  Phase 2 is underway.  There are new posters on other issues, such as science and religion.  Church leaders need to explain what this means; church members - by their behavior - need to publicly proclaim the message: “We are not alone,” and “Racial discrimination is not acceptable,” etc. 

Rev. Paul Bryant-Smith presented a slide show of his sabbatical aboard the Armistad as it sailed from the U.S. to various ports in Africa and back to the U.S.  (This journey offered many opportunities to tell the story of the role of the UCC in defending the slaves of the Armistad.)   Also, John Deckenback reported on his sabbatical to Iraq and Jordan. 

Rev Johann-Hinrich Witzel and Rev Peter Kube, from Germany, came to discuss the possibility of joint mission projects, pastoral exchanges, and study opportunities as a part of a proposed partnership relationship.  One of the projects to be supported is the Honduras Project, in which ERUCC is already involved.  Action:  The ERUCC Mission Committee should consider the ERUCC role in this area. 

This conference highlighted the message that “The United Church of Christ is a movement of evangelical courage!” 

Bud and Sonja Rossig, Delegates to the CAC Annual Meeting

CHILD SPONSORSHIP

Maram Nofal, of Jerusalem  

ERUCC is sponsoring two children through the United Church of Christ Child Sponsorship Program.  This month we introduce Maram Nofal, a student at Rawdat El-Zuhur, in East Jerusalem.  Maram is nine years old, and her birthday is August 18.  She has two sisters and two brothers.  Her family, from Hebron, now lives in a small apartment in Jerusalem.  Her father is a laborer who does odd jobs, and her mother is a stay-at-home mom.  According to school personnel, Maram is quiet and intelligent.  She likes to draw, and her favorite class is computer.

As we receive school reports and other news about Maram, we will put the information on the bulletin board in the Social Room.  You can learn more about Maram’s school by visiting its web page:  www.rawdat.org.   The school is supported by gifts from the UCC, through “Our Church’s Wider Mission.”  

Since Maram’s birthday is in August, we hope to send her a bundle of signed birthday cards. Bring yours to the church by August 10^th and we will send a birthday package to her.  Thanks!           

One Woman’s Witness

As I was in the midst of writing a poem about how wonderful our ERUCC church is, I received a phone call from Cliff Harrison, chair of the church’s Peace and Justice Committee, asking me if I would be a liaison for the committee to Centro Hispano, an organization helping Hispanics in Frederick.  (This past spring, its director, Jeanie Cronin, had given an inspirational talk at an evening gathering at our church.)  After an afternoon of hesitation, I said “Yes” to what has turned out to be one of the greatest blessings of my life! 

When I contacted Jeanie to ask about the greatest need of Centro Hispano, I was told that it was for teachers for non-English speaking adults.  As a retired early childhood teacher, I was apprehensive about working with adults, but with God’s help I have embarked on this exciting and sacred new journey.  Classes meet in the basement of the old St. John Catholic School on Second Street every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.  Starting with just nine students, and now with 25, we volunteers help individuals with English reading and speaking skills. Thanks to our church’s Missions Committee, 30 workbooks have been made available for class use. 

One student, an electrician, is looking forward to next spring, when his wife and child will join him in this country.  Another hopes that learning English will help him to get a job.  A single mother and hospital custodian helps to support two daughters attending college in Bolivia.  Living alone here, she has had nightmares about being separated from them.  I think all these persons who come for help to Centro Hispano are very brave. 

If you feel called to join me and others teaching English to adults, I believe you will find a rich blessing for yourself, as well as be a blessing to others.   Please call me at 301-663-4046 if you have any questions, or call Centro Hispano at 301-620-0955.

 Jean Fish

Tatiana and Colin Sorenson, and Alec, Cameron, and Cassie Pain are knitting scarves to raise funds to the (Red) organization to fight AIDS in Africa.  If you are interested in supporting their project, look for their hand-knit scarves on the stage in the Social Room during after-church Coffee      Hour.

On Saturday, August 9^th, Women in Black and the Washington Peace Center, in conjunction with ERUCC’s Peace and Justice Committee, will sponsor a program at ERUCC featuring two Hibakusha (Japanese atomic bomb survivors).  At 6 p.m. there will be a silent vigil at the intersection of Market and Patrick streets in downtown Frederick in commemoration of the 63^rd anniversary of the American atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, which occurred on August 6^th and 9^th of 1945. 

Following the vigil, participants and other interested persons will meet in the Social Room of ERUCC, where the two bomb survivors - now in their seventies - will speak of their experiences and their concern about possible future uses of atomic weapons.  This is a real opportunity for ERUCC members and friends to learn about the past and to prepare for a peaceful future.