Educator of The Year: Rev. Keith Sundberg

The Presbytery of Lake Erie and the APCE is pleased to announce the selection of Rev. Keith D. Sundberg as the 2019 ENRICH Educator of the Year. Keith will be recognized and his ministry celebrated on Friday, February 8, at the Awards Celebration Dinner during the 2019 Annual Event in Galveston, Texas. Also during the Awards Dinner, APCE will present the SUSTAIN, EMPOWER and CONNECT Awards and recognize Educator Certification recipients. The Synod of the Trinity website is featuring an extensive look at Rev. Sundberg and his efforts as Educator of the Year, click on this link http://www.syntrinity.org/featured/apce-honoring-rev-keith-sundberg-with-educator-of-year-award/

 

Endeavor Church Blessed With Water

Written & Posted by Marsha MacKinnon, Webmaster for the Presbytery of Lake Erie

When it comes to counting your blessings, where do you start? For members of the Endeavor Presbyterian Church they are really counting their blessings now. For  the first time in the 120 year history of the church, the building now has running water. That is a blessing.

It was a time consuming project that required many hands to make it happen. But now is it complete and for the first time Endeavor has restroom facilities in the church building.

Commissioned Pastor Roger Snyder is thankful and grateful. “Thanks so much for all the help… God!, The Community of Endeavor, Jim Ziegler, Rev. Sue Montgomery, Rev. David Oyler, Lake Erie Presbytery, Mike Come, Jon Hitchcock, Snavely Excavating, The Barnett family, Swissvale Presbyterian Church, Rev. Mellissa Morris, Ed Mead, Carey Carl, Pleasantville Presbyterian Church, King’s Lumber, Hickory Township, Jr. Hall, Grant’s “Little Store”, The Trading Post, Classic Ink, the EPC church family!!! 

If you didn’t grow up in the country, it’s difficult to imagine not having running water and restroom facilities. Yet until very recently the members of the Endeavor church have never had running water. The following is a Q & A conversation with the Commissioned Pastor of the Endeavor Church, Roger Snyder.

How long has this project been in works? The restroom project was envisioned in March of 2107.

Many people can’t even grasp the idea that a public building – like a church- wouldn’t having running water and restrooms. Unless, the church is in the country. Explain so readers can understand what a big deal this project truly is to the members of Endeavor and the community.

This church is in a rural area! I’ve heard it said that it’s 5 miles past the edge of civilization! Installing the restroom is a big deal for our area. Although we live in a rural area, we all have the same basic needs. The idea of being able to worship as a church family is an element sorely needed in our area. The idea of not being able to use a restroom for an hour and a half is prohibitive to some sharing in worship. Initially, I was thinking of our aging population… in actuality, it’s a blessing for parents with young children as well! As our church grew from “the faithful five”, we invested in a porta potty. Some laugh but this was actually a step up! One new (previously unchurched family) had a one year old who would say “Take me to the “stink house” grandpa!” We were glad it was there for her! With the indoor restroom, young parents can feel comfortable taking children knowing they have a place to “go”, wash hands, and take care of personal needs. As an older male, I can testify. Picture driving on a long ride when the driver doesn’t like to stop for anything! The urge hits, you grit your teeth, clench every muscle you have and pray you make it to the next stop. It’s painful. This burden of pain has been lifted for those who really need a restroom on demand!!!

 This wasn’t a “simple” project was it? What all was involved in making this project a reality?

Enabling and installing the restroom was quite a logistical challenge. A mere year and a half ago, this church only had enough finances to last a couple more years. The available financial resources with larger community involvement and a growing congregation turned our income into a positive cash flow. This being said… we did feel led and wanted to work without debt moving forward. We prayed and wanted the project to be paid for in addition to our normal cash flow. Since one of our goals was to make this wheelchair/disability friendly, we reached out to the Lake Erie Presbytery. There was some mention of being able to help through Presbytery funds for such events. More importantly, our General Presbyter reached out to several with our need. Right away, Rev. Sue Montgomery, who is an advocate of disabled persons, was notified… and God began His work networking. The very next day, Swissvale church, near Pittsburgh, had just received some money from a long-time member who was adamite about people attending worship. The church felt strongly that a portion of that money should be spent in a way that really made a difference in people’s lives. They contacted Rev. Sue Montgomery with this need for an opportunity. EPC and Swissvale proceeded to engage in a lasting relationship. They ended up sending us a check that covered half of our expenses!!! Ok… our vision was on its way to becoming a reality.

Because we live near a scenic tributary that empties into the Allegheny River, we are very environmentally sensitive. We obtained permits from our township, who supported our mission. Our site was inspected, and our plan was approved.

A skilled member of our congregation agreed to mastermind the interior work that would need to be completed. A neighborhood friend, whose family and EPC went back several generations, agreed to the outside work and plumbing. A holding tank was purchased and installed by a local excavating company. Jim Ziegler proceeded to complete a well, pump and exterior plumbing to and from the building.

Meanwhile, since most projects take twice the funding and twice the time of an original estimate, we continued to raise funds.

We had a community opportunity to buy apparel with the EPC logo as a fundraiser. A dear friend who works for a printing company near Butler, worked with us to develop a logo based on a stain glass window in our church. The shirts were designed with the setup costs waived and sold at production cost enabling us to raise money. Not only did this raise money but soon the sense of mission became a community involvement… a source of conversation at the local stores and the beauty shop. Neighbors who didn’t even know the church was still open, were making positive comments about the new activity and became well dressed around town supporting our new logo!

 One member of our congregation was a senior in High School. As part of his activities, wanting to make a positive difference in our community and church, began working on a Community Supper to raise funds. We had hoped for 30 – 50 suppers to be purchased. We were floored when over 200 community members showed up buying over 300 meals. The people preparing the meal had to keep running to the neighboring towns to buy out their supplies of noodles and sauce!!! There were friends of the church, neighbors and a real getting together of community in support helping God help us. I get emotional thinking about it. This ended up raising another major piece of the financing puzzle.

 Since the wiring of the church was so old, it was deemed necessary to run entirely new service from the meter to new breaker boxes and subsequent wiring. A local electrical contractor helped us out with all of this. On one trip to the crawlspace, the basement steps broke. Thankfully, there were no injuries. The old and dry rotted steps were immediately replaced. These were two spinoff projects, not originally anticipated, that were completed.

 Exterior work was getting done, the interior being remodeled, all the while praying to God the budget would hold! Finally, in mid-October 2018, our project was completed and local history is made. The final environmental inspection was completed. We are the first church in our neighborhood of three churches who actually have running water!!!

 Most people take for granted a lot of blessings in their lives. How has Endeavor been blessed?

 I see a blessing as God’s favor and  God enabling us to help the Kingdom, our neighbors and ourselves. God’s faithfulness in bringing together financing and the necessary help have been a huge visual testimony of God’s love and provisions for Endeavor and the neighboring communities.

 Throughout the entire process, aside from now having “a place to go,” what has been the greatest benefit to the Endeavor Church?

 Having “a place to go” certainly has its benefits. The process of God working through others has been every bit as valuable. I reflect on a time I was in the dark, damp spider infested crawl space (I have claustrophobia, praying like David in the 23^rd Psalm and the “valley of death”), with our two main helpers. Both had family members in our books dating back to the early 1900’s. Neither had been to this church for years. I mentioned that they both had relatives looking down and being satisfied that they were keeping this church family active for another generation. The smile on their faces brought goosebumps. People are genuinely happy and satisfied when we do what God wants us to do.

In this day of electronics and several cars per family, there is a developing need for people spending real time together. This project has enabled, and continues to enable, this particular church to be a vessel in which people come together in common mission helping God! For our sleepy little community, who has gradually withdrawn from neighbors in the context of modern times, this was like ringing a bell… “God is alive, well and active right next to you!!!”

The Synod features this water project on it’s website, click on this link: http://www.syntrinity.org/featured/running-water-was-an-endeavor-that-lake-erie-congregation-was-willing-to-attempt/

Rebuilding on Faith…

Written by Marsha MacKinnon, Webmaster for the Presbytery of Lake Erie

The First Presbyterian Church of Girard sustained a catastrophic loss in the summer of 2018. The church building, built in 1892, was consumed by fire. Despite this devastating loss, there is something very positive growing from the ashes of this historic church in Western Erie County. While strong faith has been evident here for well over a century, The Rev. Nicola Vitiello, Pastor of the Girard church, believes that faith is now stronger, deeper and richer than before. “I would say that from the perspective of the congregation there has been a coming together, a new togetherness,” said Vitiello. “Attendance in worship is up, participation in fellowship is up and involvement in Sunday School(Faith Formation) all are up. Members have become more active.”

Sometime in the early morning hours of July 22, 2018 fire erupted at the First Presbyterian Church of Girard. Thirteen fire companies, from Girard and Lake city and others throughout the western region of Erie County  responded to the fire scene and every effort was made to save the structure. It just wasn’t possible. The members of  the Girard congregation were shocked that their beloved church building was no longer standing where it had stood for 126 years. While the main church building was a total loss, the volunteer fire firefighters were able to save an adjacent building that houses the community food pantry. The food pantry continues to serve those in need in the Girard community. The exact cause of the fire will not likely be determined due to the intensity of the fire.

Shock, loss and grief, came together during a prayer service that was held on July 24, 2018 in the church parking lot. In attendance, church members, neighbors, local clergy, the Rev. Dr. David Oyler, Head Presbyter of the Presbytery of Lake Erie and the Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, director  of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is well known for supplying volunteers to support people after natural disasters. This time representatives would help the Girard church through their grief and recovery and look to the future.

Rev. Dr. David Oyler felt deeply about the loss to the Girard church. While the church building is no longer standing, the church is actually the people of the congregation. “As General Presbyter, I had two immediate responses when I heard this most difficult news early on the morning of July 22.  My first response, ‘Oh, what a difficult, heart breaking tragedy.’  My second response: ‘The people of the Girard congregation are wonderfully resilient people.  And they shall prevail.’  When I first drove by the devastated church building I was overwhelmed by empathy, yet knowing that God alone is Lord of the church,” said Oyler. 

Lake City Presbyterian Church is demonstrating faith-in-action, where neighbors are helping neighbors, by opening its doors to the Girard congregation. On Sundays, Lake City has worship at 9 a.m. and Girard has worship at 11:00 a.m. and Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. Thanks to donations of office supplies, the Girard congregation has a new temporary office located across the street from their former church building on Main and Church streets in Girard.

According to Pastor Vitiello, the Session of the Girard church has hired a contractor to demolish, design and build a new church building at the same location. “The congregation has had one listening session, and more to follow so people can be heard and the Elders will be informed about what the congregation wants,” said Vitiello. About two-thirds of the cost to rebuild the Girard church will be covered by the insurance policy. To raise funding for the remaining third of the cost, the congregation has created a restoration fund so contributions can be made to complete the project.   Demolition of the site is expected to be completed before winter, so that construction by the contractor, Building Systems, Inc.(BSI)  can begin in April/May 2019.

While the grief process continues and plans continue to develop for the future, Pastor Vitiello is happy and impressed with the amount of progress already made to rebuild a new church. “One of the challenges for me is to try to pastor in a way that I’m used to pastoring, and at the same time try to help in the effort to build of a new church.”

While the grief process continues, the members of  Girard Presbyterian are rebuilding on faith.  “There are many, many steps to take in this renewing process.  Yes, there are physical and logistical items to address – removal of debris, insurance settlements, temporary worship location, office space and a host of other issues.  Even more this is a time of spiritual reflection and renewal for a congregation,” said Oyler.  “The church has been surrounded by the prayers of countless congregations and individual Christians.  There has been an outpouring of supplies and generous financial gifts from churches across Lake Erie Presbytery and beyond.  God has a continuing faithful ministry developing in the midst of the Girard Presbyterians.  They have a message to share of Jesus Christ, but also one of hope in the face of adversity, resilience, and perseverance in the midst of physical loss.  Faith formation continues on…thanks be to God!”

The Girard congregation is offering its thanks and gratitude to all the firefighters who responded to the fire. Church members are providing two dinners for those firefighters to thank them; on November 1 in Girard and November 5 in Lake City. The Girard congregation is rebuilding on faith. To help them complete the rebuilding donations can be made to: First Presbyterian Church of Girard, PO Box 106, Girard, PA  16417.