VOLUME 70 ISSUE 3

British clergyman, J. B. Phillips, best known for a contemporary translation of the scriptures, also wrote a book that made quite a splash in the 1960s Your God is too Small. Often I think we could paraphrase that and say, Your church is too small. (Ive discovered that at least one book has been written by that name.) As I go from congregation to congregation in my travels around the Pennsylvania church I see dozens of bulletins and newsletters with their prayer lists, and seldom is there mention of anyone or anything outside the local community, maybe even the local church membership. I almost cheer when I see people included whose lives have been affected by disaster or war. Occasionally there

are prayers for the missionaries, and ministers of the church, sometimes for our General Minister and President and even the Regional Minister (you can imagine what that does for my applause meter). Even the spoken pastoral prayers (better called the Prayers of the People) can center totally on the people and events of the local scene. I think this verges on dereliction of duty for the one leading the prayers. Thank goodness the Lords Prayer is usually prayed and this takes us beyond ourselves to the coming of the kingdom, the reign of God, the doing of Gods will on earth (all of the earth), the forgiveness of sins and deliverance from evil. Ive heard that theologian Karl Barth said sermons should be written with

the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. The same could be said of prayers, which would keep us from devolving into some kind of self-centered, narcissistic conversation with God (which may even exclude God who is concerned with us, but much more than us). Moreover, some of our members never worship outside the local setting. I think it is extremely important to be aware of different congregations, their ministries and styles of worship and it is essential to worship with our fellow Disciples in District, Regional and General settings, or else we start thinking our little congregation is the whole church - and that is a huge mistake. By the way, I hope to see many of you at the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville. There is a great mission and a mighty voice of praise being offered up by the whole church to our powerful and loving God and we cannot be part of it by closing the doors and windows around our little churches. Lets step out, reach out, shout out and become part of the whole church of Jesus Christ ministering to the whole, beloved people of God. Yours in Service to Christ, the Head of the Whole Church,

PAGE TWO: WITH OUR CONGREGATIONS PAGE FOUR: JEFFS JOTTINGS PAGE SIX: CABINET FOR COMMUNITY UPDATES

We glean items from our congregational life for this column from newsletters and email communiqus that we receive in the Regional Ofce. We want to include every congregation, and if you send articles or photos we will do our best to include them. If you would like to have certain news, celebrations, ministry focuses listed about your church, let us know. As the Region of Pennsylvania, it is important that we be in prayer for one another. May we celebrate together the wonderful ministries that take place, so that Gods love continues to spread! What a wonderful region we have! Alba, First (Charlotte Morse): The Alba Christian Womens Fellowship meets the third Tuesday of the month at the church at 6:30pm where there is a great time of prayer, fun and fellowship. Allison (Michael Peton): The youth are celebrating how SPRING and the start of beautiful weather is here, along with providing help to their church family. Hire A Youth was piloted as a youth outreach to church members who need assistance with homebased projects. Beaver Falls, First (Valerie Schubert): The congregation has been participating in a 30-day prayer challenge. A group of men from the church participated in a day-long meeting entitled Lets Meet at the Cross on May 7 at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. The church family was looking forward to a fun booth sale at the June 11 car cruise and also a special Father/Son/Mother/Daughter Dinner on June 25 to celebrate the whole family. Benton (David Manseld): The church family celebrated on Palm Sunday with ve people being baptized. Blessings to those baptized: Deborah Comstock, Katie Kocher, Heather Sellers, Rachel Notestine, and Tanner Lenhart. Bethel Park, Brightwood (Robert D. Jackson): The 24-hour Lenten prayer vigil Vision for Brightwood began on Wednesday, April 20, and ended on Thursday, April 21 at 7pm. The event was a means to connect the church family and strengthen their personal connection to God. Butler, Oak Hills (Phillip Conyers, Jr.): The spring mission project Sweater and Jacket Tree was a ministry project where light weight jackets, hoodies, and sweaters for younger children were collected and donated to the Salvation Army for distribution after Palm Sunday, April 18.

California, United (Jana Quisenberry): Vacation Bible School is set for June 1317 and this years program will be: Hometown Nazareth, Where Jesus was a Kid. The churchs Global Caf will return in May. Canton, Church of Christ (Disciples) (Bonnie Browning): The congregation began The Baby Bottle Campaign on Mothers Day. This is an Outreach Program sponsored by the Youth Club in support of the Endless Mountains Pregnancy Car Center located in Canton and Towanda. Each church family household will take a baby bottle home with them and place change in the baby bottle as often as they can. The bottles were collected on Fathers Day, Sunday, June 19th. Also, on Sunday, May 22, the church participated in the CROP Walk, an effort to stop world hunger . Carmichaels (Reagan Fike): A CWF project is underway is a cookbook that is being created that will preserve the favorite recipes of the whole church family! They CWF is asking for their church members and friends to submit their favorite and secret recipes so as a whole church family they can have a gift to treasure and share. Charleroi, First (James E. Linn, Jr.): Vacation Bible School 2011 was June 1317 and a closing program and picnic on June 18. The program is: Inside Out & Upside Down on Main Street...Where Jesus Makes a Difference Every Day! Rev. Linn invites all connected to the internet to visit the church web site at: www.fccharleroi.com and stay connected to all the exciting ministries taking place. Connellsville (Chris Stillwell): The congregation held a Mothers Day Breakfast on May 8, and invited mothers to bring their families and relax and be served by the men of the congregation. A membership class began on May 22 for any child in the sixth grade who wishes to join the church through baptism. The sacrament of Baptism will take place on Pentecost Sunday, June 12. Covington (Ira Hindman): On February 13, the church held its annual Valentine Auction, with proceeds going to Week of Compassion. They raised $330. Since 1986 the church raised a total of $7974.10 through this event. On March 6, the Sunday school celebrated Pretzel Sunday, the Sunday before Lent. Each student shaped one or more pretzels in keeping with an old tradition of preparing unleavened bread for Lent. East Smitheld, Federated (Stan Gill): The church had a Mothers Day breakfast on May 11. On May 15, the church had a Fellowship Dinner after the worship service. The Federated Ladies nished plans for a womens retreat at Mt. Zion and plnned the Disciples Mens Meeting on May 17 at the church. The churchs 5-to-5 Club had their annual Ice Cream Sundae celebration on May 25. Greensburg, First (Renny Domske): The congregation celebrated their rst annual Mother-Daughter Banquet on Saturday, May 7. The

Covington kids score in Souper Bowl

On February 6, Covington Sunday school students participated in the national Souper Bowl of Caring. They gathered 67 cans of food and $76.45 for the local food pantry. This was the their fourth year of participation.

evening was lled with laughter, smiles and fun over dinner and a special program. The church family also gathered for their Annual Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, May 18. Hermitage, Central (Jeffrey T. Moore): The church family celebrated Gerald Cadmans 100th birthday. Central also had 10 members of the church who represented the church family at the Annual Dinner of the Christian Associates of the Shenango Valley on Thursday, April 28. The dinner was held at the First United Methodist Church in Sharon, with Tom Hunt and his wife, Bobbie, providing the evening entertainment. Rev. Dr. Moore, president of the Christian Associates presided, assisted by Vice-President Rev. Lori Cotton, of Sharpsville. Lower Burrell, Trinity (Cletus Hull): Trinity board chair Rick Tibensky shared news with congregation on June 5 that a generous benefactor gave $17,000 towards paying off the church mortgage. Efforts are also underway towards setting up a gas well in order to save on hefty gas bills. The congregation also honored eight graduates (high school and college) in worship. Millville, (Richard Plocinski): The teens of the church had an AGAPE Lock-In where they also prepared the main course for the St. Pats dinner, followed by an evening of reliving their favorite memories and activities and discussing future ideas for mission trips. Monongahela, First (Gerald Demarest): The DWM hosted a baked potato-salad-dessert bar on February 27 and raised $402 to help with mission projects. The next one was May 22, which coincided with Youth Sunday. Mt. Lebanon (Joshua Snyder): The congregation celebrated its 61st anniversary on Sunday, June 5. Members and their families gathered for a party on the lawn following worship. New Castle, First (Douglas Shoaff): DWM organized the All Daughters Banquet that was held on May 10. The church celebrated the generosity and money raised in their Easter Basket Project a ministry project that helped children in need while providing evangelism in their community. The church also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the City Rescue Mission. In this ministry

project, a group of donors offered to match the regular donations, one dollar for each dollar the church can raise. Collections were received through May 31. Perryopolis, First (Edward Arbogast, Jr.): The Tri-County Mens Dinner & Meeting was held at the Perryopolis church on Thursday, May 19, with special entertainment by Greg Capozzi. Members also attended an Evening Out to the Ballgame on June 11 at PNC Park. Republic, First (Charles House): The congregation faithfully participated in their Thirty Pieces of Silver Lenten observation. The donations were brought forward during their Good Friday worship service. Sayre (James Donahoo): The church family began on March 6 praying for one another during worship in a ministry project called Families Praying for Families. By April 17, each family in the church had seven families for whom they were personally praying. Uniontown, Central (Arthur B. Mace): The church family traveled to Pittsburgh on Saturday, June 11, to cheer on the Bucs. Central is also Going Green....check out the website at: www.utccc.webs.com to see all of the ministries taking place. Washington, Fairhill Manor (Maggie Sebastian): On Sunday, March 20, nine individuals including Interim Minister Maggie Sebastian, had their heads shaved for St. Baldricks Day, a foundation that has raised over $90,000,000 for childrens cancer research in the last 10 years. Fairhills event raised nearly $1,300. Washington, Lone Pine (Joshua Sonoga): The church family honored past and present service men and women on Memorial Day Sunday and presented photos for the congregation. The church family is coordinating events to help others in need. A cookout fundraiser luncheon to benet Chestnut Mountain Ranch youth and their families was held on May 15. Wilkinsburg (Janet Hellner-Burris): The Womens Retreat was held at Camp Laurelview on April 29-May 1, led by Pastor Tracy Mills, Minister Cecilia Sims, and Pastor Janet Hellner-Burris. A Talent Show was held on April 10 as a fund-raiser for church camp.

As Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Pennsylvania I continue to be excited by our shared ministry across this vast region. Just this past month, on Saturday, May 14, the Regional Board gathered at the Laurelview Conference Center to consider the business and mission of the regional church. I am pleased to report that our nancial situation has improved dramatically and continues to show promise even though overall giving to DMF is down. With all current invoices paid, and necessary funds in the bank, the Board made the decision to pay one-half of our Board of Church Extension Line of Credit obligation reducing it to approximately $35,000. Several important decisions were made at our most recent meeting, including a 2% cost-of-living increase for all regional staff with the exclusion of Steve Hellner-Burris, our current bookkeeper, who has been in his position less than one year. That is not to say how grateful we are for his expertise in continuing to provide accurate reports on our scal health. For more than three years Steve has been a leader in helping us understand the nancial dilemma we faced back in 2008 and how we should move forward to correct it. The Regional Minister Search Committee, under the careful and wise leadership of Cora Russell, reported that nal interviews with the two top candidates will take place in June. It is anticipated that we will have a special called Regional Board Meeting either near the end of June or rst part of August to conrm their choice and welcome our next Regional Minister. We are blessed with the outstanding leadership of Bill Allen. Bill has served well past what we thought he would have to do as our Interim Regional Minister, and it is our goal to send him back into a relaxing retirement so very soon. We know how much he wishes to return to his wife and family in West Virginia, even though he will be sorely missed when he departs our region. Of course, he will always have a special place in our Pennsylvania hearts. The Cabinet for Community Life under Janet HellnerBurris leadership is gearing up for an exciting School for Congregational Leaders on November 5, 2011 at Toftrees Resort near State College. This is an event for the entire region, every church, and every church member. Signicant and meaningful workshops will address the needs of every one of our PA churches, with exciting keynote addresses planned, as well as worship, and of course, fellowship. From the Listening Conferences of

two years ago, many Disciple folk across the region indicated a desire for such a wide-reaching and comprehensive leadership development program to be held. Planned for the middle of the state, and no more than 3 hours from every regional church, it is hoped that we will max out their facility with Disciples from every corner of our region. Mark your calendar now and plan to be a part of this important event. Watch for details as they are available. Of course, we are excited about the upcoming camp and conference season at Laurelview. Camp dates are available for every age group, scholarships are available to attend, and monies available through Reconciliation to insure that every child who wishes to go to camp will be able to go. Many thanks to our Regional Youth Coordinator John Owen and his crew for choosing directors and counselors who will spiritually lead our young people in signicant ways. I would love to see us break all attendance records and for every church to send children and youth to camp this year. Materials, registration forms are available, as well as those who can come to your church and share the message of how important summer church camp is. So many of our clergy received their call to ministry at church camp that is a powerful reason to send your youth. I am indebted to an Executive Committee that represents our region so well, who convene with me in conference calls between Regional Board meetings to tackle important issues. Each one brings special strengths and talents which in a united way makes our conversations deliberate, intentional and faith-lled. In closing, let me thank each of you across this wide region for your continued prayers and love in the aftermath of a horric car accident in which my wife Naomi and I were involved on Sunday, March 27th. Naomi has healed from her injuries and I continue to heal from a fractured patella. After surgery on March 28th I am now into my second of eight weeks of physical therapy. We have been sustained by your support and prayer, and at the recent Board Meeting were prayed over and touched by the love of those gathered. We have felt the Spirit in so many ways touch our lives and what is happening in this region we love so much. May God continue to bless all that we do in His name. Rev. Dr. Jeffrey T. Moore Moderator

SUMMER CAMP SEASON IN FULL SWING

Summer camp: a place of discovery, a place of reunion, a place of worship. Come discover how the Holy Spirit is working through our devoted staffs in order to make God real every day. Come reunite with your best friends in Christ and establish new lifelong friendships in our community of love, acceptance, grace, and fun. Come worship with us in His outdoor sanctuary. Our experienced staffs are working hard preparing fun activities that will bind us together in Christ plus plan insightful lessons that will teach us exciting truths about God. Each daily theme strives to Make God Real Every Day by exploring Gods wonder in creation, His grace through Jesus, and our gifts from the Spirit. We will worship God in quiet devotions, with energetic song, by Spirit-lled preaching, and reverent worship. The camp directors this year are quite a talented bunch of youth ministry servants. They are leaders in our local congregations: pastors, elders, deacons, youth directors, members, Spirit-lled Christians! Please pray the Holy Spirit will guide their every move, every word, every decision. Pray for our children and youth, pray their hearts will be open to the working of the Holy Spirit, their faith in Christ strengthened, and their knowledge of God profound. Pray for our staff, counselors, crafts leaders, nurses, keynote speakers, caretakers. Prayerfully consider how you can support our regional youth ministry nancially. We need your help! Our staff takes time off from work (some without pay), time away from family, money out of their pocket for travel and meals, camp supplies, and offering. We need your help to underwrite the cost of staff at camp. Last year, it cost the region $3200 to provide meals, which equates to about $50 each person. We spent $1950 on bus trips to the local state park ($150 each trip). tee shirts the campers get for free cost us $2200. Can you help? Sponsor a counselor for $50 or a bus trip for $150 or craft supplies for $25. You may send contributions to the Regional Ofce, but please be sure to note the designation on your check. Please take time now to register your sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Pack them up and send them off camp!

UNITED CHRISTIAN CHURCH DONATES SIX EMERGENCY CLEANUP BUCKETS

Lisa and Jeff Buday, members of the United Christian Church, Malden Crossroads, delivered six buckets that contained emergency ood cleanup items to the Church World Service distribution site in New Windsor, Maryland. Lisa is seen here handing the buckets over to Letha Joy Martin, program assistant at the Church World Service Disaster Relief ofce. The California United Christian Church had prepared the buckets which are distributed in the United States to help people begin the cleanup process after a ood, hurricane, tornado or other disaster. Jeff and Lisa were going to be in the area, so they dropped off the ve-gallon buckets which each contained ve scouring pads, seven sponges of assorted sizes, 18 reusable cleaning towels (like Easy Wipes), one 50-78 oz. box of dry laundry detergent, one 12-oz. bottle of liquid concentrated household cleaner (like Lysol), one 25-oz. bottle of liquid disinfectant dish soap (like Dawn), one package of 48-50 clothespins, 100-feet of clothesline, face dusk masks, two pairs of latex gloves, one pair of work gloves, 28-count roll of heavy duty trash bags (30-45 gal.), and one 6 to 9 oz. bottle of insect repellent (non-aerosol). (Photo credit: Jeff Buday)

A newspaper published in the interests of the Christian Church in Pennsylvania and the general missionary, educational and benevolent work of the Disciples of Christ by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Pennsylvania, Inc. EDITOR, Rev. William B. Allen; MANAGING EDITOR, Christine E. Johns; EDITORIAL/BUSINESS OFFICE: 134 Mathews St., PO Box 90, Greensburg, PA 15601. TELEPHONE: 724-834-5023; FAX: 724-834-5025; WEBSITE: www.padisciples.org. The Keystone Christian is published at least 4 times per year at 134 Mathews St., PO Box 90, Greensburg, PA 15601. ISSN: 0274-5011.

DISCIPLES MISSION FUND REPORT

MISSION OF THE WIDER CHURCH
Theres no question that the primary eld of mission is where each of our congregations serve in our communities. We might even take this back a notch and recognize that every one of our members is a missionary, reaching out to care for those whom they meet each day with a gift of money, a cup of water, a hand to steady their walk, a hug to ll their loneliness. Thats how we express our love for and our loyalty to Christ. There is also the mission of our wider church - taking the love of Christ to places and situations where we may not be able to go ourselves. This is our response to Jesus mandate to, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... We accomplish this through our support of our Disciples Mission Fund (DMF) and special offerings to our churchs ministries. Through April 2011 we have fallen behind our support of the ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as compared to 2010. This is true of the whole Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as well as the Pennsylvania Region. In April 2010 the churches of the Pennsylvania Region gave $63,618.27 to the Disciples Mission Fund. As of April 2011 we gave $43,535.99. This is a decline of 36.79%. DMF is the basic fund that supports the work of our Region and the many General Ministries of our church. This decline can be turned around rapidly by our churches raising their support to last years levels. Also, those congregations who have not yet sent their 2011 DMF offerings could help to stem the tide by making a remittance. The work of a lot of faithful servants of the church (including your Pennsylvania Regional staff) is enabled by DMF and we encourage you to make the effort to remedy this. We do want to thank all of the congregations and members who are regularly, faithfully and generously supporting our Disciples ministries. We also want to recognize our congregations who are ahead of last year as of this report. The congregations in the chart above are currently running ahead of their April 2010 giving to Disciples Mission Fund. We are grateful to all our churches that have sent gifts to DMF as of April 2011. In addition to those listed above these include: Allison, Bethel Park Brightwood, Brownsville First, Butler Oak Hills, California United, Canton Church of Christ, Carmichaels First, Charleroi First, Connellsville First, Manseld Soul Link/Canoe Camp, Millville, Monongahela First, New Castle First, Perryopolis First, Pittsburgh Mount Lebanon, Lemoyne First, Levittown United, Plymouth, Sayre, Uniontown Central, Washington Fairhill Manor, Williamsport First Information about our Disciples mission is available at the website www.disciples. org. Particular information about DMF can be found at www.disciplesmissionfund. org. Thanks again and we look forward to the blessings you bring in our next report to the Keystone Christian.
*Indicates congregations that had not remitted DMF funds as of April 2010 but have done so in 2011, so its not possible to calculate a percentage increase.

Congregational DMF support through April 2011 Benton Canonsburg, First North Union (Canton) Erie, First Greensburg, First Hermitage, Central Indiana, First Pittsburgh, Tabernaculo de Oracion Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg Republic, First Scranton, First Washington, First Congregation total DMF support Erie, First Canonsburg, First Gipsy Monongahela, First Pittsburgh, Tabernaculo de Oracion Scranton, First Washington, First

% Change since April 2010 39.07 * * 50.28 38.89 * 34.38 668.60 65.22 61.27 87.50 98.27 % Change since April 2010 50.28 98.33 85.92 108.53 2205.79 105.24 94.22

The month of June has been designated by our Regional Board as the time for our 2011 Annual Fund. This is an undesignated fund to assist in underwriting our Regional Church ministries. It is subscribed by individual members and friends (not congregational budgets) who see this as a signicant part of the work of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and who choose as part of their stewardship to support the Region above and beyond their giving to Disciples Mission Fund and the Special Day Offerings. Your generous support of the Annual Fund has proven essential to keeping our cash ow uid at just the right moment. Coming in June/July, this fund provides signicant help for our summer camping program including the expenses of providing a dedicated staff, the supplies that are essential to our excellent program and making Laurelview the beautiful, comfortable and safe environment that we desire it to be. Moreover, the Annual Fund enables our Regional staff to do the travel and have the equipment necessary to carry on an effective 21st century ministry. We are sending letters and offering envelopes to those whose addresses we have available and we encourage every member and friend of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Pennsylvania to respond to this appeal even if you do not receive a mailing. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has previously provided support for our

Regions diverse and faithful work through the Annual Fund and we are grateful for those who will be supporting this venture in 2011. To make a gift, please remit to: The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Pennsylvania PO Box 90 Greensburg, PA 15601 (Please write Annual Fund on the memo line.)

Disciples ministers converge at annual Scott Lectures Ministers from the Pennsylvania region came together in early May for the 56th Annual Oreon E. Scott Lectures, held at Bethanys Mountainside Conference Center. The Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly offered a fresh perspective on the face of the Gospel in contemporary culture.