Maranatha, February 14, 2010

“Life must be understood backwards; but … it must be lived forward.”
Soren Kierkegaard, Philosopher/Theologian

We had an inspiring lesson today from our resident “composer” and musician extraordinaire classmate, Rob Reck, about his trip to London during the Christmas holidays to the premier performance of his composition, “Close to Thee”. It was interesting to hear about his trip and understand more about Rob’s passion for composing music.

Today, we recognized birthdays: Keith Madden (2/14), Sam Smith (2/17), and Ginny Walker (2/23) and anniversaries: Mary and Randy Elliott (2/15) and Suzy and Rob Morgan (2/16).  Celebrate!  Valentine refreshments and greetings were provided by Michelle and Kirk Place as well as Barbara and Paul Loyd.  There were announcements about the Chili Supper on February 22st (contact Suzy or Denny Meredith-Orr) and the March social, stuffing Easter Eggs on Friday evening, March 26, for the children’s Easter egg hunt.  Upcoming mission opportunities include an Exodus House project in March and working on the Habitat for Humanity house in April. Joys and Concerns were expressed by members.  Concerns were shared for Terry, Pam Sherman’s friend, who has been put in hospice; Lynn’s friend Larry who was diagnosed with cancer, Allen Briggs brother-in-law who has prostate cancer; Patricia Ketter who has been diagnosed with breast cancer; and a friend who lost her grandfather and grandmother soon after the birth of her child. Ginny Walker expressed joy over her upcoming trip to California to celebrate her birthday with her daughter.  We also expressed sympathy to Joe Harris whose mother Margaret died last week; it was a joy to hear Joe talk about his wonderful memories of his mother and the influence she had on his life.

We welcomed several visitors: Jim and Sarah Young, former members who were visiting from Colorado Springs, Samantha Luks, and Lauren Tallent. We also welcomed a new member, Laurie Spencer to the class. Laurie is an artist whose pottery chalices are used in our communion services.

Next week, Debbie Petersen, BAUMC Mid-High Youth Director,  will discuss her work with the church youth programs.  Join us; invite others!

Have a great week!

Meredith Davison and Richard Wansley
Presidents

P.S., See this informative note from Allene and Rex Donley:
Hopefully you will never need this service but it is good information for everyone to have.
Cleaning for a Reason
If you know any woman currently undergoing Chemo, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning – 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment.

All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service.  http://www.cleaningforareason.org
Please pass this information on to bless a woman going through Breast Cancer treatment. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It’s our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along.

Published in: on February 15, 2010 at 8:38 pm  Comments Off on Maranatha, February 14, 2010  
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Joe Harris’s Mother

Karen Harris wrote to let the class to know that Joe’s mother Margaret Harris passed away yesterday in Philadelphia. They’ll probably be leaving Thursday and staying through the weekend.

Barbara Meehan

CARE-anatha

Published in: on February 13, 2010 at 9:40 pm  Comments Off on Joe Harris’s Mother  
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Maranatha, February 7, 2010

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending”
Maria Robinson, Writer

We had an amazing lesson today taught by Dr. Brandon Scott, Darbeth Professor of New Testament, Phillips Theological Seminary; the title of his lesson was “Resurrection: A Quiz”. Following the late service, our Maranatha “Group of 8” lunched together, and we were still energized by Professor Scott’s words to us. If you weren’t able to be in class today, visit our website, http://maranathaclass.org, and go to Class Recordings where you can hear (or re-hear) Dr. Scott’s presentation. The podcast will probably be posted in the next day or so. And, while you’re at the website, sign up (subscribe); we hope to begin using this site even more in the future as a communication tool for the class.
Today, we recognized birthdays: Art Campbell (2/7), Sherry Stinson (2/70), Karey Low (2/8), Jerry LeDoux (2/11), and Kate Thomas (2/12); and anniversaries: the Maldonados and Worthingtons. Celebrate!
Refreshments and greetings were provided by Lynn and Bob Russell as well as Judith and Ed Payton. There were several announcements, the Chili Supper is February 21st (contact Suzy or Denny Meredith-Orr) and the Valentine’s Dinner is February 12th (contact Pam Sherman). Joys and Concerns were expressed by members. Concerns were shared for Dr. Biggs and his family regarding the death of his Mother last Thursday evening, also Pam’s friend, Terry, who has untreatable brain cancer, and Mary’s friend in the Marines. Carol told us that she is now 10 years cancer-free, a great Joy for her and all of us who call Carol our friend.
We welcomed several visitors, and introduced Patti and Gary Smith as new members. If you know Patti and Gary (or even if you don’t know them), contact our new members this week to let them know how happy we are to have them join our group.
Next week, Rob Reck, our resident “composer” and musician extraordinaire, will share his report to the class on his trip to London where his musical work was debuted last year. It always a great class when Rob is our teacher. Join us; invite others!
Have a great week!

Richard Wansley and Meredith Davison
Presidents

Published in: on February 9, 2010 at 11:29 pm  Comments Off on Maranatha, February 7, 2010  
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Question re: Cataract surgery, need response today!

Friends,

Alan Smith, a fellow Class member, has submitted the following question (see below) regarding his need in making a decision regarding cataract surgery. Can you help? If you wish to provide a response, contact Alan directly at: als19511973(at)gmail.com. Thanks.

________________________________________________________________________________________
“My question would be to ask which members have had cataract surgery
in order to share information and make a decision on which type of lens implant to get. There’s a difference in cost involved here also.
I have to make a decision today, so I guess this is a little late.
Alan Smith”

*Note that you will need to type email addresses into an email program substituting “@” for “(at).” I have edited email addresses so that recipients will not pick up additional spam from autobots that might be searching our posts. Also, for contact information, you can find our newest roster on the Class Member Page. -brm

Published in: on February 9, 2010 at 11:20 pm  Comments Off on Question re: Cataract surgery, need response today!  
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Maranatha Class – Urgent Request Being Met

I want to give you an update on the request sent to you yesterday (see below).

Within hours, there were a number of offers to assist our classmate with this problem.  While many of you who responded weren’t certain that you could do precisely what was needed to be done, you were willing to give your own level of expertise.  However, among those who answered the call, there was one class member who has arranged for a computer specialist to define and recommend how to best meet the needs of our classmate.  This avenue is being pursued at present.  Should, for whatever reason, this approach require additional assistance, I’ve kept the names of those of you who have volunteered and may be back in touch with you.

It’s gratifying to know that there truly are “angels” in our midst!

Richard

Previous email:
From: Wansley, Richard
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 3:07 PM
Subject: Maranatha Class – Urgent Request

One of our Class members has contacted me to ask for help with the repair of a computer.  What appears to be needed is finding an inexpensive CPU replacement and transferring files and programs to the revamped system.  Since the computer is not currently in good working order and it is used for the Class member’s small business, it is urgent that this work be accomplished as soon as possible.  The Class member is looking for “pro bono” assistance since their business is not in a position to outlay funds (for labor/expert consultation) due to circumstances associated with the slowed local economy.

Can you help?

If so, please contact me, and I will connect you with our fellow Class member who is in-need.  God bless you for considering this opportunity to assist a neighbor.

Richard Wansley

Published in: on February 6, 2010 at 9:23 am  Comments Off on Maranatha Class – Urgent Request Being Met  
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Death of Dr. Biggs’ mother

Please see the notice below from Brenda Reed regarding the death of Dr. Biggs’ mother.  I will ask the Maranatha Funds Committee to make a donation to the Allison Biggs Scholarship Fund on behalf of the Class.

Richard Wansley

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From: brendareed(at)bostonavenue.org
Subject: Death
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 08:46:41 -0600

Dr. Biggs’s mother died last night.  Dr. Biggs is headed to Carthage, TX, for her funeral at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday).  He will be back here on Sunday morning to preach.  We will send flowers from the staff and thought contributing to Allison Biggs Scholarship Fund for a memorial would be appropriate if you are interested.  I’ll keep you informed.

Thanks.

Sheri

Published in: on February 6, 2010 at 9:19 am  Comments Off on Death of Dr. Biggs’ mother  
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Maranatha – Sunday, February 7th, Professor Brandon Scott

Please be reminded that this coming Sunday, February 7th, B. Brandon Scott, PhD, Darbeth Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Phillips Theological Seminary, will be our teacher, speaker.

Professor Scott, who has written or co-written nine (9) books, is internationally noted for his work concerning hermeneutics and the historical Jesus.  His is a Charter Member of the Jesus Seminar, an organization of about 100 scholars such as Professor Scott; the Jesus Seminar is known worldwide for its efforts to define those parts of the Gospels that reflect the true historical Jesus as well as the likely intent of his words and actions.

Professor Scott’s title for his presentation to us is “Resurrection: A Quiz”.

Be there for this lesson, and bring friends!

See you Sunday.

Richard Wansley

Published in: on February 6, 2010 at 9:16 am  Comments Off on Maranatha – Sunday, February 7th, Professor Brandon Scott  
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Maranatha, January 31, 2010

“Faith and doubt both are needed – not as antagonists, but working side by side to take us around the unknown curve”
Lillian Smith, Author

I arrived about 9:10am this morning not know who or how many people to expect for our Brunch Sunday given the weather conditions.  Already, there were about a half-dozen dropping off food and helping arrange the room with tablecloths and other essentials for the morning.  By 9:40, we had a room filled with Maranatha Class members and several guests including Gary and Patti Smith as well as Suzanne Hood.  A prayer was given by Keith Madden before we  “jumped in” on the many food dishes brought by members.  It was delicious!
Two birthdays are coming up in the next week; they are for Paul Giessen (2/2) and Dave Been (2/5).  No anniversaries nor any joys or concerns were shared with the group.  Barbara Meehan and Karen Campbell described our new website, explaining its many functions.  Over the next couple of months, we will be transitioning from regular E-mail announcements to use of the website.  You should expect to be receiving only as many notices as you have in the past, but you will now have the option to go the website to view information of interest, including speakers over the next month, mission opportunities with explanations of where and what, the social calendar, and who has signed up to serve as Greeters and prepare refreshments for each Sunday.  Caranatha will have its own link on the site and will be a means for you to keep in touch with the needs of fellow Class members.  Thanks, Barbara, for designing the site and agreeing to serve as our webmaster.  And, thanks, Karen for organizing the Caranatha link/service.  If you have questions about the website, contact Barbara; if you have questions or needs associated with Caranatha, contact Karen.
Over the next four Sundays (February), we have a great lineup of speakers/teachers: Professor  Brandon Scott (February 7th), Mr. Rob Reck (February 14th), Ms. Debbie Petersen (February 21st), and Reverend Marsha Petersen (February 28th).  More descriptive information will be forwarded to you and available on the website.
At the late service, my mother-in-law and I (Meredith is out of town) sat next to several people visiting our Church from Catoosa.  Steve and Doris Dixon along with their adult daughter, Olivia, indicated on the Registration that they were visitors and were interested in joining  the Church.  Immediately after the service, I ask if they were ready to join today, and they said “yes”.   So, I introduced them to Reverend Crowell, and Bill took it from there.  I also invited them to visit the Maranatha Class next Sunday, and will give them a call this week to reinforce my invitation to them.  We hope to see you next week, and I challenge each of you to bring one or more guests to hear Professor Scott.  I also ask that you keep doing the great job that we do in welcoming visitors to our class, and inviting visitors to return trips.
Have a marvelous week!

Richard Wansley (and Meredith Davison)
Presidents

Published in: on February 6, 2010 at 9:14 am  Comments Off on Maranatha, January 31, 2010  
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Maranatha Class, January 31st and beyond

I am writing to remind you that this Sunday, January 31st, will be a “Brunch”.  That means, you should bring a dish of food as a “potluck” meal to share with everyone; bring as little or as much as you like.  If, for whatever reason, you are not able to bring a food item, then please don’t let this stop you from being there with us for informal social conversation.  The room will be arranged in rounds of tables rather than in the classroom style.

We will have one formal item on the schedule for this Sunday, that is a 15 to 20 minute, live demonstration of our new website by our “webmaster”, Barbara Meehan.  I think you will find this one-stop site for our Class to be a valuable resource should you decided to subscribe to its use.

I also want to give you an idea of how the year is stacking up with regards to Christian education for our Class.  Meredith and I have been working on a schedule that has quality teachers who will lead us in topics that reflect the theological diversity of our class’ membership.  In your evaluation responses, many of you suggested that we invite teachers from within our own Church but also beyond our own walls, especially taking advantage of such resources as Phillips Theological Seminary (PTS).  To that end, we have been moving forward with your suggestions.

Ginny Walker, a fellow Class member, has been instrumental in working to engage PTS faculty members to come to our class.  Thank you, Ginny!  Thus far, we have secured agreements from the following faculty to teach our class: Professors Bernard Brandon Scott, John L. Thomas, and Sandra Costen Kunz.  Phillips President Gary Peluso has also committed to teach for us.  We are negotiating one or more dates for their presentations in future months as well as seeking others from PTS to lead in our education series.

Dr. Scott, the Darbeth Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Phillips, will be teaching on Sunday, February 7th, and we are discussing his topic currently.  When we have defined that subject matter, we will forward more information to you.

Also, we have arranged for ministers at our own Church to teach in our Class including, at present, Debbie Petersen and Bill Crowell.

Finally, we invite those of you who wish to share your faith story or teach in our class to let us know so that we can add you into the year.  We are blessed in our class to have fine teachers who present not only at Boston Avenue but other churches and faith-related venues; we will be asking these folks to teach us as well.  Let us know if you have favorites who we can consider for the year.  Rob Reck will be teaching/reporting to us regarding his trip to England on February 14th, a Valentine’s gift for us all.

See you on Sunday at Maranatha!

Richard Wansley and Meredith Davison
Presidents

Published in: on January 28, 2010 at 4:34 am  Comments Off on Maranatha Class, January 31st and beyond  
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Maranatha, January 24, 2010

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
Mother Teresa

A classroom filled with Maranatha members and visitors; it was a great Sunday! Thanks to all who were there earlier today. We missed all those who were unable to attend; see you soon!

We celebrated several birthdays, including those of Thad Leonard (1/25), Rob Morgan (1/26), Judy Herriman (1/28), Brenda Spencer (1/29), Sarah Maldonado (1/30), and Susan Rose (1/30). No anniversaries were noted for the week. Karen and Olin Holmes, Nancy and Jerry Manduano were our Greeters, and they brought great refreshments, making it difficult to get people away from the table and in their seats.

We were blessed by the presence of several visitors, some new and others returning to the class: Patti and Gary Smith, Autumn Smith, and Catherine Cooper. Welcome; we hope to see you back again in the near future.

Suzy Meredith-Orr reported that a number of class members helped put together kits for Haitians that included hand towels, wash cloth, combs, nail file, bandages, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Over 50 kits were assembled by the volunteers last Friday evening; and, a number of other class members assembled kits at home, bringing them to the Church this morning. A job well done!

Suzy also announced that we will have another mission opportunity this Wednesday evening to prepare and serve a meal at the Day Center for the Homeless. Over a dozen people have agreed to help, but you are welcome to contact Suzy if you wish to volunteer even if you haven’t already signed up for this opportunity.

Pam Sherman reminded us that the next social event is a Valentine’s Dinner at Ti Amo on Friday, February 12th; contact Pam if you are interested and have not already signed up for this activity.

Several concerns were shared with us this morning, including a friend of Pam whose had a recurrence of a brain tumor, the father of Meredith’s work associate who is not responding to treatment following heart surgery, and for Richard, a recently released offender who, after serving many years in prison, faces the challenge of readjusting to the world outside. Janet Purinton offered our prayer today.

We were blessed by the teaching of Darlene Tegeler who reviewed a book by Reverend Dr. James Moore, entitled “Seize the Moment”. Her presentation gave us much to think about and act on for how we behave and respond to “moments” in our life, both big and small, in which we can practice our faith. “Seize the Moment”, perhaps a motto for us, individually and as a class!

There were several announcements that did not make it into the agenda this morning:
· The “New Life Divorce Support Group”, an 8 week group for those who are separated, divorced, or going through divorce, will be facilitated by Linda Algeria, LCSW, beginning February 3, Wednesday, 6pm to 7:30pm. A fee of $40 will cover all 8 weeks. Call Linda at 970-6765 to enroll in the group.
· As pointed out by Dr. Biggs in the Church’s service, members of the Frontiers Class will facilitate a series of lessons on “Financial Peace” using the material created by Dave Ramsey and his Financial Peace University. Interested? Contact Reverend Bill Crowell, 699-0127.
· We received a “thank you” and an accounting for the Class’ $100 donation to Restore Hope Ministries.

Next week is our Brunch, an informal pot-luck gathering of members and visitors largely for the purpose of informal conversation. A brief presentation will be provided by Barbara Meehan who has been developing our new Class website. She will explain the site’s capacity, how to use it, and give us a live demonstration. It’s great, a one-stop, Internet-based vehicle to discover Maranatha news, events, and opportunities to serve!

We hope to have Rob Reck, a fellow Class member, give us a report on his exciting trip to London during our session on the first Sunday in February. Definitely something to look forward to!!

Have a wonderful week; “seize the moment”!

Richard Wansley and Meredith Davison
Presidents

Published in: on January 25, 2010 at 7:22 am  Comments Off on Maranatha, January 24, 2010  
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